JESSE D. BROWNING

Jesse and I went to middle school together at Friends Seminary. I just learned of his passing earlier today when Facebook reminded me of his upcoming birthday. I thought, all these years later, I'd send him a "happy birthday!" message and then paused to glance at his page. It's sad and shocking to deduce that he's gone. I remember Jesse from many years ago as a somewhat subdued, yet gentle and friendly schoolmate who was into bands like Nirvana and Hole and who hung out with his guy friends....

Jesse's College Essay Personal Statement, Class of 2000

Not only are we surrounded by wonderful things in this world,but we have the most incredible array of emotions and thoughts to accompany us on our journey. Both of these things people sadly tend to forget, and often I feel it is because of this that people fall into holes which they can't get out of, holes where they feel it's a struggle to complete each day, holes where they can't keep it in an outward, comfortable place in...

It probably comes as no surprise to you when I say that Jesse was one of my favorite, if not my favorite child, at the West Village Nursery School.
Jesse warmed my heart and brought a smile to my face when he entered the class. With his big round, wide eyes and serious expression Jesse would take his time to observe the 'lay of the land' before choosing a work area, often painting. Jesse was a child of depth, substance, kindness, curiosity and a little mystery which leads me to believe...

I know it's only the 14th, but it was this Thursday one year ago, the night of the AustinRox party, that I got the text from Charlie asking me to call.

This morning Dave Grohl gave a keynote address. During his narrative of the story of his life, he talked about how he "lost his voice" when Kurt Cobain took his life. Then he told the story of creating the Foo Fighters out of those ashes. I felt so close to Jesse today. Some people take 90 years to live their earthly life, some 70,...

Through the incredibly moving words of his family and friends we remember Jesse and continue to mourn his loss.
Ester

As the light of day lengthens, signally another earthly shift, it too becomes the symbol and the reminder of Jesse's passing. I remember with a heavy heart and memory of disbelief, but I also recall that day infused with love and warmth and crocuses popping through the earth. Every single time I walk through the door of 18F, there is a moment of pause and a recognition of remembering Jesse coming out of his room with a sweet engaging greeting. His physical presence has retreated, but he...

Jesse's Memorial
(Ellen Taylor May 12, 20120)

Those of us who loved Jesse ache with his passing. Bill and I were Jesse's friends, but he was part of our family too. Dinners and parties over the years marking milestones brought us close and were the things that sustain us all and bring us closer together. Jesse was still in utero at our first dinner but even then he was eager to join us at the table, as Sheila went into labor during My Dinner with Andre. Food and...

Jesse's Memorial
(Elena Secondo 5/12/12)

I've been thinking a lot about this. (Maybe too much?) About what I might like to say, about what there IS to say. About what people might want to hear, also about what people might hate to hear… Thinking and un-thinking; ah, those famous stupid circles… And all that I'm left with in my simply complicated mind are the memories. So many memories that it seems vague to call them memories at all. All that I'm left with is life.
Life we...

(Ben Umanov 5/12/12)
My friend Jesse Browning.

Jesse and I knew each other for his entire life. We met literally in utero – our mothers were in Lamaze class together. We grew up one block away from each other. We went to pre-school together. Though we went to different elementary schools, we continued to stay close through our childhoods. Weekends meant sleepovers, and sleepovers meant an opportunity to...