Kizzy/Ayshia/Trish-3 girls in the wrong place at the wrong time

I love you. I remember you all. I remember Ayshia from the one time we met on the sidewalk when you were visiting our block. The time you spelled a name that was another first for me. It rhymed with Asia but was difficult to place in my brain that first time. I remember both you and your name being very beautiful and alive. [ The picture to the right shows the corner where we met - after the fence and the new apartments across the street- the bush is still there - bushes were the old way of discouraging kids from cutting across lawns - fences are the new way. ]

I remember Trish, or as recently discovered, Patricia, from the few times we greeted when you were visiting our block. I remember you and your sisters wanting rides on the front basket of my bike - as my long time, six year old friends and helpers from the next block were enjoying. I remember giving the youngest rides; and the pleadings you older girls made, despite my explanations that you were too big. I remember we all laughed a lot, regardless of who did or didn't get rides. Those were fun times.

I especially remember Kizzy. I remember when you first moved into our hood in the Summer of 1991; that summer being the third year we got a legal fire hydrant sprinkler for our block. I remember you laughing, jumping and running through the spray with your new neighbors and friends; with your 12 year old barely emerging womanhood in sharp contrast to the fun loving child you still were, then.

I especially remember Kizzy. I remember how you (along with your brothers and sisters) were always polite and courteous to me; how you seemed unafraid of your environment. I remember how you seemed to be a natural leader; how younger kids looked up to you; how the boys in the hood were attracted to you. I remember thinking what a shame it was you had to grow-up so fast in a poverty concentrated, resource deficient environment where kids are left to themselves to grow like weeds for lack of alternatives - especially alternatives where skilled decency could be role modeled if not formally taught by volunteering adult chaperons.

I especially remember Kizzy. In a normal environment, you would have been a medal winning scout leader. Given more decent alternatives, you would've been leading your friends around to neighborhood dances, plays, socials, athletic events and other safe, decency instilling, teenager friendly activities. You would've been helping them cope with the sly games boys tend to play to get their way; helping them get to know the good and bad in the hood. You would've been a great supervisor, manager, boss, business owner or social leader had you been given even half a chance. I love you Kizzy. You made me feel that even in the toughest, most difficult circumstances there is a ray of hope. There are shining examples of courage and leadership all around us. I love you Kizzy. I'm very sorry you were in the wrong place at the wrong time. You should've been born a hundred years from now - in a world more friendly and compassionate to children.

DD: 12/26/92 12/25/92 NEIGHBRS kizzy FO=P F=20 HO=18 J=13 V=6 12:04:01