A Tribute

One year ago my cousin, Jared, passed away and I wrote this post as a tribute to him.  But I just couldn't post it then - it was just too close to home and I felt too inadequate and I just couldn't capture all of what he was.  No matter how hard I tried he came out sounding like a saint and in reality he was far from it - and that's precisely what I loved about him.  He had such personality and charisma and he was basically hilarious.  I'm posting this now because even though it is incomplete and imperfect, it still needs to be posted because he deserves to be remembered.   

One of the most vibrant people I have ever known passed away on Thursday. I feel inadequate writing this tribute because there were many that knew Jared better than I did. He was the type of person who made friendships easily but kept them for life. I am writing this tribute anyway, though, because I want to keep alive that memory of him, because I want to share what an amazing person he was so that he can continue to be an example to me and others, and because there is a hole in my heart and I have to try and fill it somehow.




Jared was a friend to all who knew him - his charm was impossible to resist. He had a big smile that was never far from his face and which you couldn't help but return. When he wasn't smiling, he was laughing. Jared could find humor in even the worst of situations and when he laughed his loud, hearty laugh, you couldn't help but laugh along. Jared truly loved those around him and he was an excellent example of love and friendship.







Jared loved life. To him, life was an adventure and he enjoyed it to its fullest. He packed more adventures into his 26 years of life than most people pack into their whole lives.  As a flight attendant, he traveled the world and met all sorts of people. He also loved Disneyworld and worked there for a time. He loved being scared and was always game for haunted ANYTHING - he was a true October child. He was happiest when he was out and about, doing things with the people he loved.





Jared was always optimistic, even when life dealt him a rough hand. He was diagnosed with leukemia, underwent a bone marrow transplant, and was hopitalized many times, yet through it all he stayed cheerful and optimistic. For many of us there was never a doubt that he would overcome everything, because he was so optimistic that anything less did not seem to be an option. Even in his darkest moments, he was often thinking of others. Many a friend or family member received a thoughtful "happy birthday" or sympathetic text from him while he himself was in the hospital.


Jared, we still love and miss you.  We always will.  But I know that you're out there having a blast on your next adventure.  I can't wait to hear all about it one day.