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I miss you James R Skinner
You are the best friend that I ever had. Thank you. I miss you. I will never forget you. -James The Mousetrap King Timothy J Tracey
Being a bit younger than Wes and (Jimmy) James, I looked up to them much as a little brother would an older sibling (without the occasional bouts of animosity :-). Jimmy with his 14 sec Rubix Cube and Wes the Mousetrap King. Well in the eyes of a six year old back in '79 it was cool. This is a big "thank you" to Wes for the time you spent with me, showed me cool things in the field/woods behind your Mom's House, making me laugh when you mimicked "Woody the Woodpecker", and of course playing 'Mouse Trap' with me. 'little' Brother Kevin Wheaton
As Wesley's brother, and being closest in age, (but not just age)I was deeply hurt when he took his life. I was completely "knocked off my feet". I didn't know that he was feeling so depressed. I wish that I had known so that I could have reached out to him and tried to help him. Wesley was a great brother and I loved (love) him dearly. Wesley's death was so tragic because it was so needless and so preventable. I believe that the reason he sank into a deep depression and became suicidal is really quite simple... he did not receive the love, acceptance, and support that a person needs to have self-esteem and to be happy. His family environment was certainly less than ideal; but even worse, he had the misfortune of attending schools that were very fanatical and unhealthy. People around him were more concerned about imposing their ideas of what he should be instead of simply helping him to be his best. In the months leading up to his death, they even went so far as to cut him off from his best friend. He ended up being trapped in a situation were he was isolated, alone, and made to feel bad about just being himself. He then saw suicide as the only way to escape the tremendous pain that he was feeling. And so I lost my great "little" brother. I thought you'd never ask! Tricia L Preston
I'm not sure if this is just another way of you reaching out to me to take care of me, or sheer coincidence. I feel you sent James to find me. I have been in a really bad spot lately I know you know. You have always been there, haven't you? Keeping your promise you'd never leave me alone? I think I need to believe that more than ever. I miss you much. I thought I saw you the other day walking down the street, with you black leather jacket. I thought it was you so much I actually stopped and got out of my car. I talked to the stunned young fellow who I am sure thought I was some derranged old bat. Where you there? I asked him if he was o.k. He said "yes, I'm fine", then he gave me a goofy look, and promptly took off in the other direction. Was that you telling me you were fine that day? How am I? I thought you'd never ask! I have never been the same. I have never been so alone. It's been 15 years you'd think some of the pain would go away. It hasn't not any of it. I love you YOU KNOW THAT! You always have. I have had many feeling throughout the years. For a while I was very angry. For a while I even denied that you killed yourself, I wanted to believe that it was just a horrible nightmare and that I would wake up soon. I have always felt guilty. Was I not strong enough? Were you mad at me? What did I do? What didn't I do? I've never been able to let you go. Rest easy my love, and know that I am here waiting for the day to see you again. Tricia xoxox What a goof! Tricia L Preston
Not many people know this about Wesley. I am the "girlfriend" Tricia, as I am so eleguently refered to on the website. Anyway, he use to come over to my house usually Friday or Saturday evenings for our "Dates". Well, we weren't allowed to be unchaperoned at all, except to go for a walk to the mall. Well, we would spend our evening with my mom and dad, and sometimes we'd play boardgames etc. But the evening always ended with a dance. I am not talking a slow private dance between the two of us, It was shake that booty thing, in the middle of the floor for all to see. The Boy had absolutely no rhythm. But he did not care. He was having fun! He had the most beautiful smile ever. At first he only did it because I asked him too usually the radio was on and I liked the song, so My family would just get up and dance, and when he was there he joined us too. After a while it was him saying come on everybody lets dance. What a goof! This is my favorite memory because I will never forget the laugh, and the smile and how happy he was in those moments. I miss you Tricia L. Preston
you were the most important person in my life. You made me feel so good, just having you around was the best feeling in the world. I wasn't sure how I was going to get use to not having you there. I guess I really haven't. I only wish that you were here today, I thought we had a sure plan for our life. When you were gone I had no Idea how I was going to carry on. Some how I have survived not being able to spend my life with you like we planned. I guess emotionally I am still that 16 year old love sick teenager, who had her heart and life torn apart forever. I miss you so much. The pain never goes away. Not only were you my boyfriend, you were my very bestfriend. I love you so much. Sunday afternoons (at the Wheatons) James R. Skinner
Before we where old enough to drive or go for long bike rides, getting to each others house for a visit was sometimes a problem for Wes and I. I lived in Weston and he lived just north of Berwick on the Shaw road. Often our parents would end up driving on of us to the others place but of course they got tired of doing this all the time. Becase of this, Sunday afternoons became a regular time for Wesley and I to visit with each other. We would go to Sunday school and then drive home with the other persons family, spend the day together, and then go home after evening chruch. We had many wonderful times together during those sunday afternoons. The times I remember most vividly are the afternoons we spent at the Wheatons rather than at my parents place. I guess this is becase there where more new things to see and do there. Often some of his older brothers would be there too. We would play in the big old barn, go for a walk down the "burma road", hang out in Kevins room, or go for a _fast_ ride in one of the brothers cars. I will always treasure those afternoons together... Wonderful tribute Cathy Fraser
[Below is part of an email sent to James] ...That page was a wonderful tribute to Wesley, and I know he appreciates it. He will never leave you because he has become a part of you. I think you should dig out any pictures you might have of him and make a collage so that everyone could see him when he was happy, and remember him that way! ... Cathy Thanks so much for sharing his journal Julia
Hello there, I went to Acadia from 1992-1995. I don't think that we ever knew each other. My husband and I were just looking on the classmates website and looked at your web site. We found the story really touching about your friend. I am a nurse now in the Bahamas and deal with people with depression a lot. Thanks so much for sharing his journal. I am sure that his journals must help other people who are thinking about suicide. It is so thoughtful of you to share them. Take care, from Julia COGS Doug
My name is Doug, I was at the GeoCache Site and notice your log at BOO BOO down in the Valley. I checked out your home page and read the pages re. Wesley. I just had to drop you a note to let you know by sharing this tragic event in life it reinforced my need to stay as close as I can to my 2 girls and always provide a place that they can feel safe, loved and never alone. I can not imagine what you have gone through and as a parent I thank you for sharing this part of your life . Take Care Just a little trivia ... I graduated from COGS in 86 the same school Wesley planned to attend. |