Every day I think about the memories Oscar and I shared. I think about how I will never have those times with him again. It absolutely breaks my heart over and over again every time I think about how I can never hug him, speak to him, or hear him speak to me and say "Ch-ch-ch-choners!" the way he would whenever I seen him. I have so many good times with Oscar, alot of them though we were always up to no good but we always had eachothers back. I remember one night specifically he picked me up with his cousin at Grams house and we went to the drive-in to watch Maleficent but it had closed and he was SO bummed out so that night we parked outside of the drive-in close enough where we could still see the movie screen and watched it for a good while even though we couldn't hear any of the words. I also think of all the mornings we'd be with all our friends at my house, and we'd just chill all morning watching Law & Order, eating eggs & bacons or sometimes pancakes. You made the house so much more alive & fun. My grandma, sister, and even my Uncle that you only ment once adored you. It hurts that I'm not gonna be able to hang out with you once I'm back home with Grams. He was one of my closest friends at the time and I regret not being able to stay close to him due to my own personal issues I was dealing with being away from home but there's not one day that goes by where I don't think about you. I wish everyday you were still here but I know your'e in a way better place than this world, where your'e much happier. I can't wait till the day I see you again. Rest easy, Flashy. God has a purpose for you up there.. keep me safe and protected. I love and miss you so so much Oscar!

Oscar was Quiet, tuned in. In a stressful moment in the car when we assumed he was listening to his music, he called up from the back seat out of the blue, "I love you, Mommy."

He was gentle with kids, babies loved him, clung to him, climbed on him.
Half a kid himself, he was fun-loving, endlessly ready for the next game or challenge. He hated to lose, but could laugh at himself and with a big grin he would challenge you to a rematch.

Oscar was Loud, direct, the life of the party, cracking jokes but making sure everyone was taken care of.  He was a leader, a care-giver.  One time he ate 15 White Castle cheeseburgers in one sitting.

Oscar was Powerful. He was handsome, smart, quick, funny. One of those rare people who are good at everything. He had big plans for the future, his music, getting a job to make his family proud. He was Royalty. King Joaquin across his chest. Scaling up rock climbing walls on the first try. A Massive, beautiful spirit.

Most of all, Oscar was loved. By his Mom, his Dad, his beautiful family on both sides, his Mom's friends, his own friends, coaches, his girlfriend.  And he knew it.  Trust me.  In my last conversation, he confirmed that he knew just how much he was loved by his Mom and all of you.

Oscar was bilingual and bicoastal. He straddled many worlds. Many of us in the room are not familiar with all of his worlds. He brought us all together. Mexico, California, New York, Georgia, Connecticut.

He lives on in each of us and thousands of others who are not here tonight but are with us in spirit.  Oscar Daniel Joaquin.

This is one of my favorite pictures.  It's been on my work computer desktop for months.  It still greets me with a smile when arriving at work!