On Thursday of last week I traveled North by 7 hours to Kentucky to be with my friends Tracy & John. Last Sunday their son Jackson passed away, and I was asked by the family to speak a few words at his funeral and to take private family images for them to hold tight.
I've never before been so humbled...
Here is what I wrote for Jackson.
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My husband Eric was not able to attend with me this weekend, but he shares with me much of what I speak of and sends along all his love and prayers.
The other evening, a dear friend and fellow Army wife wrote the emotional news that her precious son had gone to fly with angels. I was crushed beyond words...
Tracy, John and little man Jackson were our neighbors to the left while we were all stationed in Texas. Our husbands played ball with the dogs out front while us girls would sit on the stoop talking about anything and everything. When the day came that she shared with me the news that she was expecting I was overjoyed. A first born, and it was a son.
As my photography business grew, Tracy became my first ever Maternity Portrait Shoot, and Jackson was my first ever Newborn Portrait Shoot and I have since shared a bond through images that I will never be able to describe. I am honored.
Unexpected complications during delivery left Jackson one of Gods little warriors. And what an amazing warrior he was. And though Eric and I had since PCS'ed to Germany, I always enjoyed keeping up with all of Jacksons triumphs and accomplishments over these last 3 years.
And through all the trials and all the hurdles, I never once saw this amazing mother break. She studied Jacksons treatment plans and disabilities endlessly. She consistently educated herself on how to provide the very best for her son. She spent countless hours working with him, caring for him and loving him. She is the epitome of what I call Super Mom.
Tracy and John share the bonds of both love and loss. And where other marriages fail, theirs have not only survived but has shone as a living testament to what real love is all about. This is what Jackson takes with him. This is all Jackson knew of his short time with us was love, and in return he gave love. When he would smile, or giggle, or reach out to his new baby sister or big brothers, or the new friend at Morgans Wonderland. He gave us all so much love....
No one ever knows why God make the choices he makes? Why he takes home the ones we love so very much?
But me... I have my own little belief about Jackson, and his purpose and plans. I believe that Jackson was born to Tracy and John because God knew that no other family would love him or care for him deeper or stronger. And I believe that God brought sister Sarah along at just the perfect time. I think that all those hours Jackson and Sarah spent cooing and cuddling on their blankets were actually spent preparing Sarah for her new role. I think that Jackson waited until he was home, home in Kentucky where his mommy and daddy would put down roots. Where other family could be nearby. I think that Jackson felt comfortable in how he lived his life. How he strengthened the bonds of love in so many. And I think he just wanted to make sure that everything here on earth was placed "Just so", So when he took his last breaths he did it right here where he knew he would be safe... Forever.
Jackson, you are never far away.
I love you......
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