September 6, Daniel here

Pam and Chris had a loving and fun party for me and my six months pregnant wife, Wendy. Many of the people involved in Jesse's life right now were there. We ate Chris's spaghetti without silverware, got door prizes, played with rubber flies and spud guns, and had an all around good time. Tears were saved for the end of the evening.

Until about a month ago I had been having numerous dreams where Jess "wakes up" during the day AND HE IS IMMEDIATELY ON A CELL PHONE. As the evil stepfather of a 19 year old, it has become clear to me that each evening, around six, teenagers seem to rise like vampires to make a connection with one another. My son can sleep through loud music and 5 consecutive alarms, but when his phone rings he answers with a cheerful "What's up, dude?"

I've been working with troubled teens for fifteen years, and one of the big reasons I am leaving is because I am burnt out and no longer effective. It makes sense to me that Jesse's showing up in my dreams as a regular teenager would annoy me - But in the last dream, Jess picked up his head, slowly, and said "That was hard!" and smiled. We talked, and now I am so relieved that he has shown himself for who he is (my faith in teenagers is partially restored).

I believe our souls fly out of our bodies at night and cruise around the universe. They bump into, find, or are found by, other souls they have attractions with. I am SO HAPPY to have played with Jess at this level.

I don't know how to conclude this. I feel like there is so much ahead for Jess, and I am sad that I will not be with him to egg him on. I have grown to love the Matey family with more heart than I knew I had, a rich, rich emotion of connection.