By Josie Bannerman

"Sunshine, love and community — a very Jesse moment" was how one of Jesse Hyder's friends described the celebration of his life which took place August 13 at Irving Park in the heart of James Bay.

Hyder, who worked as Centre Co-ordinator at the James Bay Community School for almost 30 years, died unexpectedly on August 1. His dedication, humour, integrity and enthusiasm touched many lives.

Jesse helped make things happen in James Bay. Community education, classrooms without walls, preschool, daycare, seniors dinners, and the annual art walk are all a part of his legacy. Readers of the Beacon will miss his regular column, in which he chronicled events both at the school and in the community.

Those who shared thoughts and memories of Jesse at the celebration spoke of the impacts he made on their lives. "Jesse was one of those people who always encouraged you," a young boy told the crowd. Another youth spoke of Jesse's ability to listen and hear what was important to others. An artist described him as one of the most kind and generous people he had ever met, and several parents attributed their involvement in school activities to Jesse's influence. A colleague observed that he had a strong moral compass, which helped him know the right thing to do. A community activist said, "Jesse made me look good, and he made a lot of people look good." He was a positive force in our community.

30 years ago Jesse and I ran an alternative school program called ESP at the community centre. It was there we forged the kind of bond that could only be shared by two men locked all day in a small room with a bunch of teenagers.

I moved on after 3 years. Jesse stayed eventually becoming Coordinator of the Community School/Centre where he has been a constant ever since. Twelve days ago a wave of shock and disbelief radiated out from Dallas Road. I was out at a concert when the news arrived, when I got home Dorothy was waiting up, she made me sit down, she had to tell me twice. I went from denial to anger in 10 seconds flat, from "NO, THAT CAN'T BE" to "NO, THAT'S NOT RIGHT, IT'S NOT FAIR!!!"

Apparently that's how grief begins.

Jesse's passing leaves a rent in the fabric of our lives and in that of our community, but today we have been brought together to CELEBRATE. Which is to say, to HONOUR his life.

On Saturday Dorothy and I were at the library. She found a book on the fast read shelf called WHO ORDERED THIS TRUCKLOAD OF DUNG? It's been helpful. It's by a man called Ajahn Brahm. He is a British born physicist, turned Buddhist monk. Here's what he says about grief:

GRIEF is what we ADD on to LOSS. Grief is seeing ONLY what has been taken from us. The CELEBRATION OF A LIFE is recognizing all that we were blessed with, and feeling so very grateful.

In that spirit then, I am grateful to Jesse for his friendship, for his clarity and integrity, for his patience and calm demeanor, his perseverance, his generosity, his insight and humour, his hard work, his humility, his love of music, his dedication to documenting his family and community in photographs. Ultimately, I am grateful to Jesse for the mindful way he conducted himself and for the considered life he showed us.