What I Feel Happy About

When I think about my accomplishments over the last two years only one thing comes to my mind. It has nothing to do with Jakes treatment or Jake and my relationship. Although things did not turn out in the end as I wanted, I did make one huge accomplishment. I got people to really know Jake.
When we were first approached with the terror of this disease and it's most probable outcome, I felt that there might be a time when we stand the vigil we are in now, waiting for the inevitable. I pictured people in Jakes room holding his hand and talking to him. According to the nurses, hearing is the last thing to go so Jake can hear and feel emotion all the way to the end. I became determined that Jake feel close to any and all persons that might be in his room. Because Jake was outwardly quiet, most people had no idea as to how funny, clever and talented he is. I set out on the quest to introduce Jake to his family and our friends. I did this by asking each member of my family to take Jake out for coffee "one on one". I insisted that this be done so that both parties would have to communicate directly to each other. To do otherwise would have made it too easy for more than on person to monopoloze the conversation. My idea worked better than I could ever have imagined and Jake became very close with almost every member in his direct and extended family. Each person would remark to me that they had no idea Jake was so clever, creative and funny. Because they had only seen him before in a group of other children they assumed he was just quiet. Now at the vigil, I am comforted that so many people know who Jake is, what he stands for and believes in. I believe this makes Jake legacy that much stronger and more personal for everyone. To further increase his legacy I would ask you to do the same with the members of your family that you do not know. It would have been a shame if Jake died without people knowing him. As none of us ever know how much time we have, I ask you to spend a moment with someone in your family to get to know them. I have personally found that the simple one on one coffee option works remarkably well. Almost no distractions, simply a drink with each other in a nice atmosphere. Each accomplishment makes Jakes legacy stronger and gives at least something back to others which is what Jake would want.