In Loving Memory of Jesse Alexander Gochez June 24, 1987 - April 26, 2001 Jesse believed in the true meaning of Christmas. He loved "Charlie Brown's Christmas" especially the speech by Linus, Luke Chapter 2, verses 8-14. Jesse's last Christmas, December 2000. The star we had at the top of the tree was a cloth doll ornament my Mom had given me of an old fashioned angel with crazy straw hair. He used to say it was me with my blond (straw) hair. It was so cute. He was grateful for every gift, even the ones he really didn't like. You could tell he was always eager to open the one from his brother. He knew Mom helped with the money (as I did for his gift to Will). That's what he really wanted. Whatever it was. Jesse at Christmastime, at age 12-1/2. And finally all he wanted was books, and more books! When he met Mike's Mom for the first time it was just before Christmas. He was 3. They had Christmas decorations in their family room. He said look "Rudolph the nose red reindeer". It was precious. If you want to know more about Rudolph, go to this page http://www.tcfatlanta.org/Doll.html and click on the link that says "The Story of Rudolph" Jesse at 6 months old, on his first Christmas, December 1987, with his leg on Mom and chewing on wrapping paper. Will is in the front of this picture, he is 3 years old. Thanks For The Little While Thank you for life, for its good times and bad. Thank you for love, even when I can't find it. Thank you for the love I used to share. For the arms that hold me tight. Jesse helping Mom make Christmas cookies, December 1989. Thank you for my family In faraway places In different times. Jesse at age 3 - "Another present for me?" Thank you for the song we sang For the dreams we saved. For the smiles we shared. Jesse wanted 'camo' gear one year... we had almost no snow at Christmas, but he got his "camoflauge" stuff. This was Christmas of 1997. Thank you for the strength that eludes me just now, Thank you for the weakness that sends me to my knees Thank you for the searching, the reaching, the hoping. Thank you for the bonds of memory that hold me in place, Even when I don't believe in it anymore, Or... forget what it is all about. Thank you most of all, For having been blessed with the love I have known, Even now when I fear I will forget it. Jesse, Angela (Mike's daughter), and Will. They all got orange stuff from Old Navy and proudly displayed it. This was Christmas of 1998. Thank you for memory and For filling it full measure for me. It wasn't nearly long enough, but it will have to do. Will and DEAR friend Gus at a Christmas party in the year 2000. Thanks for the moments we danced. Thanks for the little while. Written by Darcie D. Sims, Ph.D With blessed Christmas wishes from Angel Jesse and his family... May your holidays be filled with reasons to be thankful. Having loved and been loved is perhaps the most wondrous reason of all. Merry Christmas From Angel Jesse, his mom Susan, and his brother Will. A small gift for the Gochez family for Christmas 2007. May God bless and comfort you. GEOFFREY P. EDWARDS Jesse and Will, from January 2000. This is how it happened...I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the front room and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree. He placed his finger over his mouth so I would not cry out. "What are you doing?" I started to ask. The words choked up in my throat, and I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know. He then answered me with a simple statement. "TEACH THE CHILDREN!" I was puzzled; what did he mean? He anticipated my question, and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood bewildered, Santa said, "Teach the children! Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that now-a-days Christmas has forgotten." Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it before the mantle. "Teach the children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind, all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven." He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. "Teach the children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of His promise." He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE. "Teach the children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness." Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree. "Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the real nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection." He then pulled from his bag an ornament of himself. "Teach the children that I, Santa Claus symbolize the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December." He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF. "Teach the children that the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red holly represents the blood shed by Him." Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said, "Teach the children that God so loved the world that HE gave HIS begotten SON..." "Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift. "Teach the children that the wise men bowed before the Holy BABE and presented HIM with gold, frankincense and myrrh. We should always give gifts in the same spirit of the wise men." Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree. "Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherds' crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper." He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL. "Teach the children that it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's birth. The angels sang 'Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and good will toward men." Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL. "Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring mankind to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return." Santa looked back and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said, "Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center, for I am but an humble servant of the One that is, and I bow down to worship HIM, our LORD, our GOD." HAVE A JESUS FILLED CHRISTMAS! "And there were in the same country shepherds, abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them! And they were sore afraid ... And the angel said unto them, "Fear not! For, behold, I bring you tidings o great joy, which shall be to all my people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ, the Lord." "And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth peace, and good will toward men." "That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown." - Linus Van Pelt Scripture passage is from Luke 2:8-14 In Memory of Jesse's grandpa: Jim Erler, 9/5/28 - 8/4/05 In Memory of Jesse's grandma: Ann Wehner, 2/20/30 - 9/7/06 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but will have everlasting life" John 3:16 At this special time of the year, Jesse's mom would like to also remember these angels who she believes are with Jesse and his friends in Heaven, along with his Uncle Bill and cousin Betsy ~ In Loving Memory of Jesse Alexander Gochez Christopher's Christmas Page Tommy's Page For Our SPECIAL Daughter Tina's Memorial Christmas For Those Left Behind Ken's Page Our children do have everlasting life... Christmas Angels 2006 MERRY CHRISTMAS ANGEL JESSE! Christmas Blessings From Angel Laura Christmas In Heaven Please click on the button below if you wish to email Jesse's mom ~ A friend can hear a tear drop. Please visit Maria's Tribute to Christopher Angel Christopher Two Very Special Angels Christopher's Christmas Page Angel Michelle Ken's Page My Angel Son Michael Merry Christmas From Angel Lee! Merry Christmas From Romelo and JoJo! Rob's Christmas This webpage is created In Loving Memory of Jesse Alexander Gochezon December 10, 2004 Last updated: January 20, 2009 © 2000 - 2009