To the Dixon family,

I had the fortunate opportunity to attend elementary school, middle school (Waterbound!), and the exciting first year of high school with Graham. I remember, just like everyone else who knew him, his unforgettable and compassionate love for the color green. I used to ask him in elementary school weather during art class or a chorus rehearsal why he would always wear green:
“Why do you always wear green, Graham?”
“Because it’s my favorite color.”
“Green is my favorite color too, but I don’t wear it everyday.”
“When you love something, you should be reminded of it all the time.”
I was shocked and inspired by his young, but such bright words. The biggest reminder I have learned from Graham is when you love something or someone, express that love as much as you can, because you will never know the next time you will see it again. Life is full of surprises, good and bad.

I was in Graham’s Spanish class this year, and he sat right behind me in one quarter. I used to tell him he would remind me of the main character, Hugo, in the movie, Hugo, from his amazingly intelligent sayings and words. He would’ve been someone successful one day, offering the world so much of his potential and talent.

I wish nothing but to talk to him once again in the Waterbound classroom, remind him one more time how much he is like Hugo, laugh with him one more time over a silly mistake in a Spanish game, overhear someone one more time talking about how great Graham is doing in TSA, pass by him in the hallway wearing his typical green, and just be with my fellow classmate one more time who always amazed me.

I was very distraught hearing of Graham’s passing, as was the rest of us. But as Dr. Seuss once said, “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” Graham offered us all lots of inspiration, knowledge, love, and a companion, and if you think about it, that is nothing but to smile and be thankful about. I know for sure Graham is in heaven right now, wearing his proud green, preparing for his next TSA competition, inspiring everyone around him, and most importantly, looking over us all.