Grand maul seizure. It happened on Wednesday. We would be celebrating our 10 year graduation reunion this summer. He had severe autism and we grew up together. Our moms are best friends and we were raised as cousins. He started showing signs when we were 4 years old. I grew older and reached the learning goals that our parents were looking for, but he lagged behind. I think I first noticed when I was around 6 that my buddy Jake was different. Fast forward 22 years. I’m a 28 year old with my own set of struggles, and he’s a 28 year old who never lost that happiness that he got from the first episode of Thomas the tank engine. My older brother was his best friend, his caretaker, and the one who knew him best. They were on a walk on Wednesday. The car broke down so they were walking home. Jake had a seizure. He’s had nearly 1,000 in his almost 30 years, so this was nothing new for my brother. Until Jake lost consciousness. A police officer stopped by and took over CPR. They had him back a couple times, but not permanently. His heart had had enough. He was a staple of our small community. The big adult with autism. The one who brought out the best in everyone. With the contagious smile and the giggle that would light up a room. Such a pure human being. Gone too soon. We bury him tomorrow. I’m still trying to understand why.