With The Heaviest Heart...

January 6, 2012

It is with the heaviest heart that I write this. One of the absolute most fantastic people I have had the privilege of knowing, Ms. Esmeralda Barrera, was senselessly, tragically murdered in the early hours of New Years Day in Austin, Texas.

We called her Esme and miss her with every ounce of soul we got.

I was in Australia when I got the news and I got home to our gang as quick as I could because our gang is the best and she was our captain of good times. Some of us are sitting around my kitchen as I write this and telling stories about Esme.

Sweet, Sweet Esme

I chose this photo because it made me laugh. She always made me laugh.

She had a ton of catch phrases we are all laughing about. here is a couple-

“This is the best song…EVER!!!”
She loved music as much as anyone I have ever known. Nobody else could justify every song being the best ever, but she could. She is one of the reasons bands have careers. She bought albums, made other people buy albums, went to a zillion shows, made epic mix tapes that we all love more now than we did before.

“Do you see how he was falling in love with me!”
On a trip to NYC she met a bunch of friends of Jose and Cynthia and after every boy walked away she would say that- she loved the idea of love and friendship and good times and had the upmost confidence being herself. It was absolutely contagious! We were just saying that it was unheard of to not be in a good mood when she was around.

A whole ton of people are coming in to El Paso from all over the world to lay her to rest. That was her power. She was unforgettable and we would go to the end of the world for her.

It is hard. I can’t imagine how hard this is for her family. I hope they find some comfort in how much we all love her. The level of grief and joy combined is unprecedented.

Here is a link that will allow you to donate money to Esme’s family for these difficult times and unexpected expenses. We are in the process of figuring out some scholarships that will remind us continuously of how great she was and will make sure that money gets to the right place.

I ask you all to send a couple dollars.

I miss you Esme- we had a lot of fun and it is hard to imagine ever playing Austin again without you directing the fun and the playlist. Always the playlist. Love you.

To donate go to this page please-

http://forouresmeb.blogspot.com/