Going through photos today, trying for a semblance of organization either chronologically or by category such as pictures with us, pictures with his children, or with his cousins or friends or with his dogs…When Jason was first diagnosed he spent three weeks in hospital. Most days the kids would come for a visit after school and I’d be there either to stay over night or for all or part of the day. On occasion his best pal Mac the yellow lab would make an appearance. The day Mac came and sat so calmly for this picture Jason could not wait to see him. All day he had it in his mind that soon Mac would be visiting.
Jason used to say there are two types of people, those who really like dogs and those who don’t like them so much. Jason and I are both in the first group. When he met his wife he already had a dog, a pit bull named Kato. She was gentler than her breed is known to be and I credit Jason for that. Mac is just a big softy by nature. Jason was born in 1970 which on the Chinese calendar is the year of the dog. He grew up to be loyal, loving, faithful with a kind and open heart…just like a dog.
I wish we had been aware Jason had such a short time and then our time might have been used in a different ways. Instead of planning for the future and looking ahead we could have looked to today. It wasn’t until his last three weeks that the good of each day was recognized in the moment. And I know how lucky I am to have had any moments at all. Which reminds me of an old Sanskrit message:
Yesterday is but a dream
Tomorrow is but a vision and
Today well lived Makes
Every yesterday a dream of happiness
and Every tomorrow a vision of Hope
Look well therefore to this day!
Suki Lang 
It is so hard to live in the moment – until all the moments stop. Thinking of you and Jason. Take care.
Thank you and I am so sad for your loss’s too. My mother lost five children before any were 6 months old. She never spoke of her experience or my lost siblings. When she became ill at age 87, during the last year of her life she finally spoke of her loss saying “when you lose a child you can make a choice to let it kill you or make you stronger”. She was a remarkable woman who helped countless children with love and compassion and until she was 87 I never really knew what had made her lend a helping hand always Best wishes and take care….
Thank you and I am so sad for your loss’s too. My mother lost five children before any were 6 months old. She never spoke of how her experience effected her or of my lost siblings. When she became ill at age 87, during the last year of her life she finally spoke of her loss. She was a remarkable woman who helped countless children with love and compassion and until she was 87 I never really knew what had led her to offer a helping hand no matter what. Best wishes and take care….