Today I went to the funeral for a good man. Even though I know he is now free from the physical limitations and sicknesses he faced, it was still a pretty sad day, and he will be very missed. But instead of focusing on the sad parts of today, I wanted to remember some of the things I learned from Jason.
Someone today called Jason a "great example of manhood." I feel like these characteristics - laughter, perseverance, ability to change, and love - are some of the characteristics of a true man, and really just an all-around good person. I'm excited for the day when I can see Jason again, and I hope in the meantime I can use what he taught me to be a better woman.
- He knew how to make people laugh. I think from the very first time I met him, he was teasing either me or one of my sisters - or even sometimes my dad (and lots of people are afraid to tease my dad). Somehow Jason just had a way of making people feel comfortable because he joked around with us and made us laugh. One time, Jason and his family were at our house for dinner and I accidentally spilled gravy all over Jason's plate. Let me tell you, I never lived that down! He never asked me to pass him food again.
- He knew how to persevere. Jason has suffered with lung problems for a long time, and for all the time I have known him has been in a wheelchair with oxygen. But he always kept going through life, doing the best he could and even though he suffered, he didn't wallow in it. He still found ways to be happy and things to be grateful for, even through the hard times.
- He knew how to change. Jason is a perfect example to me of someone who used the Atonement of Jesus Christ to make his life better. Jason wasn't perfect by any means, but he was sure working hard to get there. And he knew that it was only because God was helping him that he would ever get there. He trusted totally and completely in God and His plan, and Jason lived that way. Once he decided that he was going to follow Christ, he never turned back - it was always full speed ahead.
- He knew how to love. Today as I listened to the talks given at the funeral and talked to people about their memories with Jason, I was struck by how loved everyone felt when they were around him. It didn't matter who you were, Jason made you feel like family. He listened to you, talked to you, called you "sweetheart" or "buddy," gave you gifts, and treated you like a million bucks. And not only did he show you how much he loved you, he told you, too.
Someone today called Jason a "great example of manhood." I feel like these characteristics - laughter, perseverance, ability to change, and love - are some of the characteristics of a true man, and really just an all-around good person. I'm excited for the day when I can see Jason again, and I hope in the meantime I can use what he taught me to be a better woman.
Thanks, buddy. See you soon.