Jerett Kameron B.

Jerett B., 17 December 4, '76 - April 27, '94 natural causes / sudden death

Jerett was our youngest child and our only son. He was the type of kid that was happy and smiling 90% of the time. He was 17 years old and just enjoying totally the fact that he was just a couple of weeks away from his High School Graduation festivities. Jerett was ambitious and worked part time at Little Caesar's inside our local K-Mart store just about a mile up the road. He had a steady girl friend, Jamie, that he regularly saw between school, work and of course his buddies. Jerett was about 175 lbs. and about 5'10" and enjoyed sports like football, hunting, basketball, billiards and then there was his music. He really liked the music of the time as anyone his age would. He was a great fixer-upper that was willing to lend a hand to anyone that needed it. He was great at odd jobs around the house, electrical, mechanical, musical, including electronics. He especially liked cars. His Grandmother on his 16th Birthday had given him her ' 89 Cherry colored Chevy Pick-up Truck that he just took great pride in especially with his Automotive classes at school. He loved driving that truck. He kept it cleaned and polished and supped up all the time.

My Mother, Marion Erb since I was an only child lived with us. Mom loved bingo and would meet her friends and go to bingo and God Bless Her, very lucky at it I might say. She was a terrific Grandmother to her three Grandchildren, our two daughters Jayne and Jeanne and the only Grandson, Jerett. She made sure he always had what he needed and part of that was having this truck for his senior year so he could feel a little independent. Jerett didn't know it but we always knew she had it in the back of her mind to give it to him when he turned 16 and had a valid driver's license. Of course he had to pay for his own truck insurance and gas. For a young man like him, this was quite a load but he would work overtime or whatever it would take, odd jobs and so on just to make sure he had his money to keep up his insurance and gas. All of us where very proud of his initiative in managing the little he made to make this all work.

Sadly his Grandmother at age 74 took sick around Thanksgiving of 1993 and was in and out of three hospitals due to congestive heart failure. She passed away at home the day after she was released from the hospital on January 15th 1994. Jerett was so helpful to me during that time as I was so lost without having my Mother around. She had always been so good to talk things over with and always came up with good advise. I can remember Jerett helping me with all the funeral arrangement and the day of the funeral he drove my car throughout the day to help.

Well, in early April since I travel with my job I was required to work at Disney World in Orlando and his Dad and I had decided we would take and extra week and a half and add onto it a little vacation. Naturally, we wanted Jerett to go, but between graduation and his girlfriend he decided he didn't want to go. Reluctantly, we decided to let him stay with his older sisters at home, since this had been the first time we vacationed without him. Jerett was just so excited, he didn't want to miss any part of graduation, even a few weeks before. He had been working a lot of overtime at Little Caesar's and bought Jamie a prom dress, had his prom tickets and was saving everything he could so he would have enough money for all he wanted to do with his friends associated with his big graduation day.

On Sunday, April 24th, his Dad and I got home from our trip to see our son, bouncing up the hill in that pick-up truck with his girlfriend inside. I remember waving to him and thinking how good it was to see him after three weeks as we drove on and he did to. Monday, Jerett went to school and then to work until 10 P.M. and then did the same thing Tuesday. I remember thinking how little I was seeing of him due to his willingness to work over to have more money for graduation. The last time I saw Jerett alive he was changing into his work uniform after getting home from school, he popped himself into my home office while I was on a customer call, saying "Mom you know I'm going to be staying out with the guys after graduation ceremonies, because we really are going to party and have a good time and I want you not to worry about my curfew because I will only graduate from High school once and that warrants bending the rules." Jerett's normal curfew was midnight on weekends. I remember saying well let's talk about this later when you have more time and without any other words, he said, "Okay Mom, talk to you later.''

When I got home that evening it was late and Jerett was already in bed. I remember peeking in on him, thankful that he was safe and sound in bed. I turned off his ceiling fan because he already had the window open and it felt to cool with both. I shut his door and went to bed myself.

The next thing I knew his Dad had came into our bedroom saying get up quick Jerett has died. I sprang to my feet and ran into Jerett's room to see what the heck his Dad was talking about. There was our wonderful son lying face down in his pillow, warm but pale. We called EMS and tried the best we could in a panic to do CPR right. I remember them trying to shock Jerett back to life and that awful ride in the EMS truck to Botsford Hospital where no-one would tell us what was going on. Finally a nurse came out and told us Jerett was dead.

I remember feeling faint and them allowing us to see our son who had been such a happy camper the day before. It was unimaginable as to what could have happened. Of course an autopsy was done and nothing could be found wrong with Jerett. No brain aneurysm, no heart trouble, no drugs, we will probably never know what really happened to our son until we see him again. Whatever happened was quick and shut down his whole system. His alarm went off that morning and he got up to shut it off and then laid back down and died, like sudden death syndrome.

Afterward, his sister Jeanne, said that the night before he had commented that he was really tired and he had put his uniform in the washer to be ready for the next day at work. He had asked his sister about the day they had had on the lake with the Sea-Do's and commented that the next time they were going he was going to go to and then went up to bed.

So, I had to call Jamie and tell her that Jerett wasn't going to be picking her up for school that Wednesday morning and that Jerett was gone. I was crying so hard it was hard to confront the truth. I had just lost my Mother and now my only Son. I remember wanting to die myself. I just couldn't conceive of life without Jerett. He was my buddy, the one who always helped me and the youngest that still would go with his Mom grocery shopping and on errands. Then the school had to be called. It was a living nightmare. After all this, Jerett was missing the graduation he had looked forward to for so long. Jerett didn't even get to see the 33 different poses of graduation pictures, he was waiting for or a graduation ring. For our daughters sakes, we tried to hold it together, Jayne was 23, and Jeanne was 21. We could not answer all the why questions the girls had. Who ever thinks their own child will die. Where to have the funeral and where to bury him became agonizing issues. His Dad and I finally decided to bury him where my parents and his favorite Grandmother was buried. Somehow , I didn't want him to be alone in a cemetery without any other family there.

The funeral encompassed the whole senior class and Jamie stayed with Jerett the whole time the funeral home was open each day until the burial. Jerett's friends decorated his casket with all the things that touched Jerett's life one way or another. The day of the funeral was rainy, windy and a penetrating cold. My husband's Shriner friends rode their motorcycles helping lead and keep the funeral procession going due to the far distance we had to travel and the long length of the procession with all the teenagers who hadn't had drivers licensees very long.

We all participated in the memorial service and then watched as the casket was moved and then put down into the grave. We all dropped flowers and prayed and then the earth swallowed it up and then my son was really gone. No-more would I ever see those deep blue glistening eyes that smiled back along with the boyish grin on his face. His eyes would tell you as much as his words could. My son, how my heart yearns to see you again.

Immediately after Jerett's funeral, dreams of Jerett came to everyone. Sweet dreams of loving kindness that assured us all Jerett was OK, in a safe loving place, doing things he wanted to do, playing basketball, playing with a dog we used to have, assuring everyone that he was happy, encouraging us all to go on, that we would all be together again, that he had accomplished everything he wanted to do in this life and that we who are left need to place our focus on the next world and not this one. It was amazing to me that people, not even in some cases, close to the family would call and tell us about these real life dreams that had significant meaning to us but not necessarily to the one who had the dreams. I remember thinking how blessed we were for these comforting tidbits that aided and uplifted our grief. The seniors from Jerett's High school held a midnight vigil in remembrance of Jerett that we all went to. It was if Jerett was there. Lighted candles in the center of the circle melted, wax seem to fall to the cement and roll itself to individuals as if targeting them in some odd fashion. Each one stood in a circle and one by one told about a significant happening in their life that in many cases was life changing for them due to Jerett's direct actions or words. `I remember thinking at the time how very important our words can really be. It was so poignant and dramatic, the things that were being said about my Son. All good things that made me so extremely proud of a son who at 17 years of age had touched and changed so many lives in such positive ways. Things Jerett had said or done to help and comfort others. Things I would have never known about had it not been for this marvelous gathering of his teenage friends. I began to understand a side of my son that only his friends knew. I, then, knew in my heart that God's hand was in all of this somehow. The wax a one time almost touched Jamie's feet after a roll of about 8 feet. It was truly uncanny the way that wax rolled to each of us, one by one, that had played an important roll in Jerett's short life.

I thank our heavenly creator, God, and Jesus for the wonderful gift of our son. We only had him for 17 short years but he impacted our lives so greatly that I trust God to reunite us again. I clearly look forward to that wonderful reunion and realize that now in this world, our lives are so really short and that things of this world really don't matter much at all compared to eternity. Our God has provided a way for all of us who have lost children to be reunited as a whole family someday and that 's what is so important to me know and forever until I too, join the others who have left all to soon. Jerett has become a source of comfort to me in a way that allows me not to fear death and to put this life really into perspective. I pray that all who have the opportunity to read this can come to this way of looking upon so great a loss as a child's death poses. I pray for all who have had to bury a child, that forgiving comes to your heart for any one that you have anger and resentment against. I pray that God directs your life enabling you to be cloaked in his abounding comfort and grace. I pray that he be merciful and ease the pain of heartfelt, choking grief that is so consuming to us. My prayers go out to all of you and I personally hope this message affords you some relief in your struggles. I believe faith in our savior, Jesus can overcome all grief of this world. Praying, always, always helps!! Our Father told us to ask and it shall be given. Jesus, says I destroy yokes, place your burdens on me. I tried it and it worked for a sinner like me. It can and will work for you. We have God's promise and God always keeps his promises no matter what. Please trust the giver of everything. When God begins a work in your heart he will work on it until it is finished. I pray he works on your heart.

May God walk with you in your shoes so you are never alone. Joyce B., Livonia, MI. TCF (& TCF - Troy MI)

Poem for Jerett Kameron B - From Mom

Jerett was our pride and joy
our one and only boy!

He was the youngest of three
Two sisters before God let him be.

He was born, December 4th, 1976, our countries bicentennial year.
And early Christmas Present from Heaven, really very dear.

His Dad and I were so elated
To finally have a Son we had long awaited.

He was such a handsome young lad,
truly he just made your heart glad.

Bright blue eyes he was gifted with.
And a big smile that could melt your heart a bit.

We loved him beyond measure
because he brought so much pleasure.

His smile could brighten any room
and cast away any type of gloom.

Jerett's laughter was always contagious
His friends said he was more than courageous!

His help was there if there was a need
Many friends received the gift of his deeds.

School and work was what was on his mind
but for friends and fun he always found time.

Jerett's zest for life was always there
Even though every once in awhile he gave us a scare.

Jerett was reliable, loyal and true
and his favorite color, always, was blue

"Jerett. We love you." his Dad and I would say,
He'd yell back, "I LOVE YOU TOO" without delay.

Jerett's daily hugs we looked forward to
Now just a memory in our mind to review.

Seventeen, was such a great age
Hopeful and yearning for the next stage.

All too soon it would come to an end,
who could anticipate our lives would take such a bend.

It happened a few weeks before Graduation Day
That fateful dreaded April 27th '94 Wednesday.

It all happened just way too fast.
He went to sleep and that was the last.

The next I knew, His Dad yelled Come here quick.
Jerett is gone, he must have been sick!

Jerett, was not sick at all
He just must have heard GOD's heavenly Call.

Saying, Come up here Son!
You need to be here with me, your work is done.

You have accomplished all you set out to do.
Now it's for the rest to accomplish theirs too.

I'm taking you early because I'm so proud of you.
Accomplishing all tasks I laid out for you to do!

So Jerett's life is not with us anymore,
Now he is with the LORD we adore.

I know Jerett is in a great heavenly place
God set up for him according to his taste.

Jerett is having the time of his new second life,
the life we all yearn for, the one without any strife.

I know I'll feel Jerett's hugs again,
I'll just trust God with my life until then.

then I will THANK GOD for myself,
for the wonderful SON I was dealt.

Our FAITH believes we'll be together someday
Trust in GOD gets us through each day.

Grief is such a strong, strong force
You must draw on GOD as a resource.

To ease the great pain of the heart
To try to find life's new start.

Jerett, I know wants us to continue on
As difficult as it may be beyond.

I'm sure he doesn't want us bereaved,
but how do you ever find total relief.

Grief seems to be something that you never get over.
You just learn to live with while staying sober.

God and our Lord Jesus awaits each one,
To welcome & reunite us with loved ones till GOD says, "It is DONE!"

The next world where GOD is, is what really matters.
So don't get so caught up here, or your eternal life will shatter!

To live for the next world, not this one,
so forever, we can be with our BELOVED SON.

JERETT, you are in our hearts for forever,
Till we meet again, and never, ever, sever.

LOVE YOU, MOM

Oh, GOD, I never know what to do!
So let me dedicate Jerett's poem to you.

GOD, Grant us your loving comfort, mercy, and forgiveness!
While we struggle through this mere human-ness

from Joyce B