How does one begin to share about the life of someone you love and is now no longer with you... I am one of Jason's many aunts on his mother side... I did not really know Jason as a child or teenager... but I was truly blessed to know him in these last few years and to see the wonderful and loving person he was... 

Jason to me was always a big hug and I love you.  He did so much to help me and at one point he lived with me for a few months.  At that time we took a road trip to visit relatives and to go to Frankenmuth.  We each had songs we liked so we prerecorded them and whoever was the passenger chose the songs... He would play the royal song and sing it out... because to him he would rather be happy and enjoy the simple things rather than be rich and above everyone... is how he put it.  We also sang the song from Skillet called Sick of It... it is about being labled and not being able to rise above the lables... and how we need to choose to get above the negatives in our lives.... but I think the song that was our song was by the group Fun called Carry you home... we made a promised to each other that we would carry each other when things got rough... 

He was so happy to meet his Great Aunt June and Aunt Shirley... and cousins etc... we sat and talked and enjoyed a peaceful time... 

His family was very important to him and his great desire was to reunite with everyone... but this was not possible because of the hard feelings that many held... from his sister Jessica he longed to reconnect ... to his grandfather and many family members... he knew his children (who are adopted by other people) are in safe places and he was happy for them ... but that did not take away the fact that he loved and missed them.  For those he did have in his life he was so happy to be a part of their lives and he was grateful for them.. from his sister Katie and her husband all I heard was how wonderful they were and how happy he was to have them be a part of his life ...   he would share memories of his brothers and sisters and cousins and always have a smile on his face when he did. 

He loved his little sister Jessa very much and worried that someone would hurt her...  so he would always want to protect her ... When we went to visiter Tracy and the family during the summer he was so happy and everyone had a great time together.

He loved his wife Janet faithfully... and was truly hurt that he could never seem to measure up to what she wanted of him... During this last separation from her he said he couldn't take the pain anymore but he would always have her in his heart... 

His friends at Gallaghers -- where he worked as a cook-- were his second family.  When Jason wasn't working or hanging out with me he would be at Gallaghers hanging with his "family" ... Connie, one of the owners, said he would sing karaoke with her and they would laugh and enjoy times together...  He loved working with everyone and was so happy and grateful to work with such an awesome group of people.

During the last time I saw him and spoke with him --- we went bowling, one of the things he enjoyed doing-- we laughed and had a great time... then he said he wanted to go to Wal-Mart because his roomate had just got a new tv and he wanted to be able to watch movies so he got the blu-ray dvd player... and some movies... he was like a little boy when i droped him off so excited to get home... when he was going to the apartment he made sure he gave me a big hug and he said I love you Aunt Michele... (smile) 

Though this is such a painful time for me I just want to thank everyone who came to the Mass on April 24, 2014 and those who have helped to pay for his funeral expenses ... and truly to thank all of you who knew him and loved him for being a part of his life... I know he is giving you one of his hugs and saying I love you ...