One positive thing about being overdue?? I can still make the trip today to pay tribute to an old friend.
Meet Jake Whetten, a giant both inside and out. He was 6' 7" and his heart and soul were just as big. Jakey was one of my best friends in high school, and was taken from us way too soon. (read about it
here) It was a Saturday morning, just a few weeks into my last Fall semester at BYU. Its hard to believe its already been 4 years since that day.
When we as Jake's friends asked what we could do for his family, his parents simply told us to help Jake be remembered. So remember we did. Along with some other friends I gathered memories and pictures of Jake and compiled a book for his family. His brother set up a
website, for others to share their memories. And I hope his family knows that still, even 4 years later, I do remember.
The first year it was hard to remember. I missed him and the memories brought sadness. My first visit to his grave, I had a good cry. But time heals, and now anytime I think of Jake, I can't help but be happy. Yes I still miss him, but I am confident he was needed much more somewhere else. I imagine he is the same fun and crazy Jakey, blessing just as many lives elsewhere as he did here. I am grateful for the tender mercy that despite our busy school schedules, it somehow happened that Jakey and I were able to spend a lot of time together the week before his death. That he just happened to drop in and visit me at work the evening before.
Jakey was crazy and adventurous. He was spiritually sound. He was a people lover and people loved him. More than anything else, Jakey contagiously loved life. And I love September 18th for reminding me to love mine a bit more, just as Jakey did.
