Happy Birthday Jason!

Today is my brother-in-law Jason’s birthday, which makes it a great day to mention what a great dude he is and how thankful I am that we’re part of the same family.

I doubt Jason knows exactly how much I’ve gleaned from watching him over the years and looking up to him as a man a few years my elder.  Jason and Tracy’s sister Jennifer married the year Tracy and I graduated from high school.  One of my most vivid memories from their wedding weekend is hearing his groomsmen (predominantly buddies from college along with his brother) speak about the deep relationships they formed while at Taylor University.  I was heading to UNC a couple months later and those toasts and stories were deeply ingrained in my mind.  ”I want friends and relationships like that”, I thought as I went into my freshman year.  I was fortunate enough to find a great group of friend very quickly at UNC - yet I doubt Jason knows exactly what a big impact he and his friends had on setting a vision for me in that regard.  But I will never forget and I’m thankful for the example he set. 

Jason continues to set an example in countless ways.  First, it was in how to be a husband and, then, a father.  One of the things I respect most with him is that what you see is what you get - by which I mean Jason is not one to be overly pedantic or to push his wise views on me (though he no doubt could and I’d be all ears!)  Rather, Jason tends to lead by serving, he shows he cares by doing.  I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve seen him slaving away on the dishes after a big family meal.  The man has approximately 10 million leaves that fall annually in his front yard yet he doesn’t complain about how his autumn is spent with a leaf blower on his back 90% of the time.  In either case, Jason would say that the acts of service are not tasks for which he’s secretly resentful - instead, he’s has an amazing ability to show gratitude for the blessings he’s been given and to see the “big picture” without get mired in the mundane details of life.  

To me, that speaks of wisdom, of which I believe Jason is blessed with amounts which far exceed his years.  This has become crystal clear to me in the last couple years as he and Jennifer dealt with the news that Janie Grace would likely have some health challenges and subsequently walked through a seemingly endless array of doctors visits, procedures and general ups and downs.  Jason led his family through this process with grace and dignity.  Words can’t describe how much I respect him for this.  And his leadership in this area will no doubt reap immense dividends in the lives of his family over the years ahead.  

Happy birthday Jason!  Hope you get a chance to relax tonight and sip on an ice cold beverage of your choice (most likely a Cheerwine that has been sitting on ice for just the right amount of time!)