Had Yulie survived the accident that took his life six years ago, he would be turning eighteen.  He died when he was twelve: he hit his head on a large rock, when diving into the lake.  

He was gone even before the ambulance got to the hospital.  No matter what the EMT's did, they could not save my boy.  His injuries were too severe.

If he survived, he would have been a vegetable.

He would have been eighteen on August 5th of this year.

How we miss him ....

Yulie leaves behind his heartbroken parents (my wife, Yacinthe and myself) and two sisters (Rosalia and Teresita), as well as his Abuela Josephine Maria.

We go to "visit" Yulie every weekend at the cemetary, where he is buried.  We talk to him and tell him all about what is going on in our lives, the loss of dreams:  ever since he was a little boy, Yulie wanted to go into the US Marine Corps.  He wanted to be an infantryman or a soldier.  He loved America and wanted to fight for her.

He never even made it to high school.  He had just completed sixth grade when he died.

Yulie was a beautiful little boy: he looked just like his mami.  He had the same big, hazel eyes and long lashes, the fine nose that was upturned at the end, and the thick, dark-brown hair.  Short, like mami.  He had my smile and strong chin with the cleft.  He never was a big boy, but he had a giant heart and personality that made up for the lack of height.

Yulie was our oldest child. 

He isn't the first one to die: we lost an infant son, Rodrigo, when he was six months old, from the flu.  Both boys are in Heaven; all we have left are our girls.

Losing a parent or a brother or sister is hard.  Losing a child is far worse.  We've lost two.  Lord, don't take my girls away from me!

I know that one day we will be reunited with our sons in Heaven.  What a joyous day that will be!  What gives us hope is the fact that Yulie accepted Jesus Christ into his heart at church camp when he was eight, so we know where he is.  I am sure that little Rodrigo is there too, with his brother; I am sure they are having the time of their lives!

Well, I am getting ready to go to the cemetary.  I am here by myself.  Mi esposa went to the store for groceries (left her a note, so she doesn't worry) and the girls just started back to school.  Might as well take advantage of the peace while I still can.  Just say some prayers for me and Yacinthe!  I would greatly appreciate it!

~Juan-Carlos Perez.