When I think of Jon I think of our camping trips. For the last couple years, our group of friends from daycare have gone on an annual camping trip. Those trips were so much fun and helped build a strong community and forge lasting friendships, and Jon and Sarah deserve most of the credit for organizing, scouting locations, and making sure that we had everything we needed (especially s'mores). 

As I looked back through my photos from those trips, I realized that I had a couple photos with Jon, but many more where he was just out of frame. And I feel like that is emblematic of Jon. He was a lot of fun, but more importantly, he helped other people have fun, especially the kids. He built the fire and made sure everyone had what they needed for s'mores. He carried chairs back and forth between campsites so that the kids could all sit together no matter where they were. He quietly packed and unpacked (and helped us pack and unpack), so that no one would have to interrupt the fun they were having. He ran alongside the kids while they scootered so that they could go as fast as they wanted while still being safe. He showed all the kids a cicada that had attached to their tent, explaining its life-cycle to them, and then helping the cicada get safely to a tree. 

He was so generous with his time and so giving of joy. We owe much of our community of friends to him and his unselfish spirit. We will miss him deeply. 

I first saw a picture of Jon in a Facebook page while surfing for a posting about our grandson Isaac.  There was this tallish guy sitting next to Sarah, but he was also sitting next to Audrey.  Who was he?  Of course I called big brother Matt who was also pictured but he was tight lipped.   If Sarah wants  us to know about this guy she would tell us.  Just before Christmas of 2012 we get a call from Sarah.  Would we mind if her friend came over the week after Christmas?  Of course we said no problem.  We were delaying our Christmas celebration until Chuck & Claire came back from spending Christmas in France with Claire's family.  Sarah arrived the week before so she could visit with her cousins.  I was quite impressed that Jon was willing to come to our home to meet us.  It's not as if Massachusetts was next door to California although our two states have much in common.  Jon was definitely not shy and blended in with our family seamlessly.  Never mind what Sarah thought of hm, we all loved Jon from the get go.  Jon was quick witted, funny, and very personable.  And he was an avid jigsaw puzzler, just like  everyone in our family.  How can he not fit in?!  

We didn't meet Jon's parents until the following year in 2014.  That's because we were busy the previous year with C&C's wedding in France.  We hit it off right away, like we were long time friends.  We compared notes on how we came to know about Jon and Sarah's relationship.  Yes both through Facebook postings.