Jason's 44th Birthday!

Jason,

Today you would have been 44 years old. I am reminded of our birthday parties when we were little. Goodness, how the time has flown! This age is older than our parents were when we were kids. How I wish I could rewind time to re-experience the fun times you and I had! I have so many awesome memories! You were so adventurous! I will never forget all the times we climbed the maple tree in your front yard. The perfect "V" of branches at the bottom that we could just reach. We grabbed those branches and hoisted ourselves up and then climbed to the "tippy top" of the tree. We could see up and down the street and the rooftops. It makes my hands sweat thinking of it now! (Haha!) I also remember playing out in the woods behind our houses and on both the north and south areas of our neighborhood. We rode our bikes on the paths, looked for cool leaves, squished morel mushrooms that we thought were poisonous (whoops!), built little hills on the paths to hop our bikes over, etc. So much fun! Those are precious memories for me!

This past week was Tulip Time. I love this picture! Yet another reminder of all of the fun times we and our sisters shared! I am forever grateful to have known you. I am so glad our families still know each other. I talk to Elizabeth about you every time I see her and we laugh so hard about our memories of you. It's so fun to remember you with laughter and happiness now, instead of being consumed by the sadness that was caused when you were taken from us. Time does not erase the magnitude of the tragedy of losing you and Lindsay, but time has lessened the sting and has allowed us to remember the good times and to picture you both in the perfection of heaven with Jesus. What you are experiencing now is an adventure far greater than we could ever imagine! It will be so fun to finally see you again and join you on your adventures! In the meantime, we will remember your both with such admiration for your legacy of faith. You will never, ever be forgotten!

Until eternity,
Janna

Here is a beautiful note from your mom and dad:

Happy 44th Birthday, Jason!

Dearest Jason,

How blessed we were to have had you with us for 26 years. We remember you, as a boy and as a young man, for your love of the out of doors. You spent most of your free time as a child, exploring the woods, building forts, fishing in streams and lakes, and hunting for small game and deer. You were born with a curiosity that led you to anticipate the next adventure. You traveled to Belize, Alaska, British Columbia, and California. You slept under the stars, climbed rocky cliffs and ran the rapids. You were in awe of the beauty of your creator. You surrendered your life to your Father’s will. You knew God created you specifically for a ministry that utilized your love of nature. He showed you that nature and adventure could serve as a gateway to the hearts of young people.

We cannot even begin to imagine the beauty, the adventures and the travels you have experienced in heaven. Jesus promised to prepare a special place for each of us in our Father’s House. We look forward to being together for eternity and being a part of your adventures! We cannot wait to see your dwelling place. We love and miss you still.

We have wonderful memories, but we do not dwell on what might have been. We look forward to what will be.

Happy Birthday,
Mom and Dad