One memory, I have is the grandkids running circles from the kitchen, living room, and hallway. One day I told them to stop running. Because someone was going to get hurt, and Jacob went to run out the back door and he didn’t see the screen, he hit the screen and bounced back,. I miss those kids running around in circles in my house.

Last summer when the grandkids were sitting around the playing games I just set back and watched. I just loved watching them.

As Jacob’s aunt I will always regret not getting to know him better. There are all the usual excuses: time, distance, busy-ness, etc. I hope there is forgiveness for that…. 

One of the first memories I have of him was probably before I married into the family. He was maybe 3 ? Kyler, Bridgette, and Jacob were the only nephews and niece at the time and I was just learning how to interact as aunt with each. Jacob showed me my place then and the following years that as Auntie Michele I was to be his wrestling opponent. Even when we got too “civilized” aka it got to be inappropriate age -wise, he would always have that glimmer in his eyes that he wanted to take his aunt down like when he was little. And I shot a wink back that I knew he could. 😄

Then we just progressed to topics he liked to talk about and his looks became “how can you be so dense?”! And I would just laugh. He was so stinking smart. 

And every time I knew we’d both be in town, I would always look forward to his hugs… because even though we really didn’t know each other or keep in touch like maybe we should have…. He grasped me like he was giving me all the love he had in his heart. And for that I am so thankful and so broken. 

Because Jacob, you left too soon. You had so much love to give to the world. But I know your heart was so tender and you felt life intensely. I know you loved hard and your thoughts and load was heavy. I’m sorry we couldn’t carry more for you.  I’m hoping Jesus took that load for you and I’ll get one of your hugs again in Heaven. Maybe you’ll even let me win a wrestling match.