I’m so sorry Kaleb had to learn this life lesson at such a young age. I hope that with time, the memory of KJ will be a source of strength and joy for for him. Something that can never be taken away from him.
6
Kaleb,
The headstone is an outward sign of an inward and spiritual grace you will carry with you for the rest of your life of your friend. Your best friend's death decreased you in a way that cannot be measured but it increased you in stunning good ways you will come to know. To know death is to know life, and at such a young age it is truly a hard burden to bear. But you live your life well because you must, and live it well for Ken, too.
I still think about and miss a very good friend after 20 years and it never goes away, but he's with me in my heart and mind and this you must know.
Love,
Andrew
10
Wow! This beautiful story brought me to tears. It showed that love knows no race. I would venture to say, however, that the friendship and love these two boys developed only happened because their mothers made it possible by their support. You see, kids love unreservedly; it is us, the adults in their worlds, who choose either to encourage that love or to shut it down and teach hate. Kudos to them. And may God give Ms. Singleton and Kaleb the strength to deal with their loss.
3
This story shows that friendship has no boundaries- and it endures. The purity of their love brought me to tears.
5
I'm an 8th grade teacher & plan to use this beautifully written article in my classroom to teach empathy & compassion. Kaleb is a role model for all of us.
5
Thank you for sharing this, though I am boo-hooing at work, it was incredibly touching and such a tale of pure sweet friendship. Kaleb will never find another KJ but he will carry him with him in his heart forever!
1
Please NYT, publish more stories like this!!!! It keeps me believing THERE ARE GOOD, KIND, LOVING PEOPLE IN THE WORLD—despite the chaos.
6
Onions! Who's chopping onions in here!?!
Seriously though, it is a truly heartwarming and heartbreaking story.
Simply beautiful.
1
Kaleb, thank you for being such a good friend to K.J. and I know he was a good friend to you. As time passes, please keep your memories of him in your heart. You can stand tall because you did your best.
4
I love that this is a story about the kind, caring hearts of boys. I'd like to see more stories about the emotional lives of boys and men. Peace and love to KJ and Kaleb.
2
Thank you for bringing us this story of a beautiful friendship that meant so much to both boys and their families.
1
My heart felt condolences, love and sympathy to KJ's family and especially to his forever brother Kaleb... This story touched my heart and my soul. These boys were so blessed to have each other in their lives, a forever friendship that's beyond life and death. Thank you Kaleb for loving KJ and I'm sure he loved you too. Be blessed and have a good life.
4
Thank you NYT for publishing this story - a heart-warming, uplifting story that reminds of empathy, loyalty, and love of others.
34
I am in tears.
With all the madness in the world - not to mention what’s happening in the White House and Washington - this story reminds us of what life should really be about: forging loving friendships. It took these young boys to remind us all. Heartbreaking; yet, so beautifully demonstrated.
41
What a tearjerker. I’m so very sorry for KJ’s premature death. But I love that during his short time on Earth, he found such a great friend. Kaleb is a special boy. My heart goes out to both families.
46
Heartbreaking and heartwarming. Thank you for this piece. Kaleb and KJ sound like a brilliant young men.
23
The story is gut-wrenchingly tragic yet also a glorious testament of brotherly love. This is the America I know.
Peace to the friends and family.
30
And, here we thought, through the spin of all current media, that only females show caring, empathy, and thoughtfulness!
6
GREAT story and so nice to read these days when most of the news is bad.
7
the inscription at the end brought me to sobbing tears... oh how pure some friendships are!
18
Soul brothers without question.
18
I’m not crying, there’s just something in my eye....
9
Someone must be cutting onions in here....
5
A copy of this should be given to everyone in Congress and The White House...this is what America stands for.
24
Well done Kaleb. May you continue to be inspired by your brother KJ.
29
This is real news.
12
This.
3
Face it our political leaders can suck the air out of a room. Reading the news can often leave one depressed. This is indeed a sad story but it is redeemed by love. God bless you Kaleb and KJ. Thank you Matt Stevens, New York Times editors and staff. These are the stories that touch that heart and affirm our humanity.
19
What a wonderful story of two boys and the real meaning of friendship. Thank you.
20
The story of this caring and friendship — and the loving parents that supported them and cared so much throughout — reminds me how much good there is in the world. Thank you for showing it to me today. And to those involved — I am so sorry for your loss.
57
Such a sad yet beautiful story. True love exists in many forms.
31
What an incredible story. I am so sorry for KJ's family. I hope they have some peace knowing Kaleb's love and friendship to KJ. And I wish Kaleb all the best in the future, as he grows up without his best friend.
32
and a small child shall lead them....
there may still be hope for us all.
66
Talk about a tear jerker....ugh. That's what friends are for....
29
@Kim
Yes, I did weep reading this piece. Many blessings to both families. May their love for each other continue to be a force for good in this very wounded world.
14
And a child shall lead them...America, turn away from the hate and embrace the love shown by these two boys.
61
Great, now I'm holding back tears while sitting at my work desk.
What a sad but lovely story.
56
@Paul Moynihan
Me too
6
Me too!!! What a powerful story; makes you wonder why there’s so much hate in the world...
1
A wonderful touching story about kindness, generosity, and friendship, but the introduction implies that the flu vaccine was a catalyst for this child’s medical problems. Without knowing details, I would be surprised if flu vaccine caused any subsequent medical complications. This information was presented without context and does a disservice to the public. Anecdotes like this encourage people to not receive the flu vaccine even though the benefits have been widely studied.
88
God bless all our children!
26
"...the donation page said it had received more than 3,000 contributions...."
You may find it hard to believe, but the contributions were made by liberals, evangelicals, conservatives, Muslims, Trump supporters, progressive Californians, libertarians, Christians, tea-partiers, Jews, Trump haters, elites from both the East Coast and Texas, and even a few Socialists.
What a country!
41
More stories of how people can and should treat each other, please. It matters.
64
what a sad and wonderful story - we need to publicize children like these - they are heroes in their own lifetime
63
At a time when things in this country and in many other parts of the world seem to go absolutely haywire, here comes a 12-year-old to show us that there are still great things happening on this planet and that it isn't all doom and gloom. You're a good (young) man, Kaleb. No, make that a "great young man". You'll go on to do good things for your community, your country, and the world. In fact, you already have!
108
"...brothers, just of a different race.”
"Think where man's glory
Most begins and ends
And say my glory was
That I had such friends."
~ W.B. Yeats
Be at peace, Kenneth Gross Jr.
124
just beautiful, and sad. thank you, Matt Stevens and Andrew R. Chow for this story.
32
This is a sweet story about friendship. Bless your heart, Kaleb. "Love is a deed."
52
Thanks for putting this article on front page. Very touching story of how love transcends all kinds of barriers. We need more of such young people. Wish Kaleb good luck.
102