High school friend's mom passed away last week. High school friend was a girl then...seems to be a guy now... Missed the visitation today since I'm home sick.

Checked Facebook this morning while I was missing church, and saw a former student's update: another former student has died. I quickly went to his page and saw tributes written on his wall--so it _was_ true... I checked his sisters' pages--condolences were written there. I quickly texted the oldest sister and asked her to keep me updated on time and place for the funeral. "Will do," she responded. Oh dear... So it's true...

The only news reports of fatalities are of someone crashing into a light pole; speed and alcohol are factors...and yes, I can see those applying in his case. There's still no name published, but...

He was the kid who, as a freshman, made me feel that he would protect me from anyone who attacked me; that's a big deal for a young, white teacher on a reservation. His little sister looked up to me, his big sister befriended me, his younger brother confided in me, and his mother somewhat adopted me. I sat with them at the last funeral I returned to the rez for; they'd made a space for me and waved me in, even though my entrance was late. I still remember getting the mom's brittle, damaged hair in my mouth as we hugged.

The first reservation funeral I went back for was for this student's best friend. That was nine years ago; another car accident.

Much heartache.