Dear friends….

Last week I made mention of Jack, I also made the error in not mentioning that it wasn’t my “Jacks”. So all those e-mails sent to me in a worry over what “Rainman” has done now was for not. Jacks, my brother, is fine and living and happily in love and craziness.
Jack is another story; JD is a wickedly funny young man and brilliant and loved his God. Very active in his high school and church with lots of girls giggling after him and how he loves to make them giggle. He played varsity football and baseball, which was the main reason for me to go to some of the games. Huge smiles on his face always, mainly because of his beliefs in God and knowing he’s to be always happy. He would pull out some of the wildest kids and sit and talk to them, trying to entice them to join the church. It didn’t make a difference that you were, long haired, shaved, doper, slacker, jock, prep, rich, poor, he spoke to you with a smile.
The fourth of July they had a family outing where JD was doing his natural showing off on the Jet Ski when he lost control, a few tumbles and tosses across the water but he would recover, or so we thought.
In the weeks to come they noticed changes in his attitude, he wanted to sleep more, no appetite and he kept to himself, nothing like the JD of the past. He didn’t pick on his brothers, he wasn’t eager to get ready for school everything seems to be slowing down. I saw him a few Sundays ago and noticed the change, the spark left his face. He seemed less inclined to carry on any kind of conversation and more so appeared to be confused.
A few tests and x-rays to check him out they found the culprit a blood clot, apparently from the accident of the 4th. Trying out some techniques in hopes that it may work without surgery was their first option. It was a chore for him to be excited about going back for his senior year and a worry on his family.
He didn’t make it, a few Friday nights back he decided to go to bed early for the weekend of shopping and school preparations, he didn’t wake for the next day. That morning a few nudges from his parents to rouse him up were futile.
I guess that’s why I posted about showing your kids love and affection when ever you can. Not that his parents didn’t do that, just a reminder for others that life can change on a dime.
During the services the majority of the young adults all had their chance to say something about him, be it some humorous story that he may have done, or how he put a mark on their lives. Along with the classmates that wanted to give their stories about him it was a full house of tears and laughter and old memories of someone so young that can make an imprint on your life.
Think of that the next time you are in class and want to make fun of the odd person, to be apart of the gang. Think how your life will change and others around you if you treat them with respect, in the End, its more important to how you will be remembered.