On Saturday, March 10, 2012 a little after 1 AM Eastern Standard Time, Jason Coombe left us. He had fought the demon, his cancer, for over three years. In the time that one day slips to another and the new day is still deciding on what it will be a good man passed.
He married to Jennifer, my best friend and he was Daddy to Ryan, my nephew. Jason was a friend. Jason was a big man with an even bigger heart. If you knew Jason well you knew this about him. I know that there are probably many who would consider me nuts for that statement, but a truer one has never been spoken. Jason felt deeply and found it very difficult to share those feelings. He found it easier, or he found them harder to contain, with his cancer. During visits with him there were often tears; sometimes accompanied by words, though often not.
One of the greatest honors that Jason and Jennifer ever paid me was to name their son Ryan Sean. The Sean is after my brother. That has always touched me deeply and insures that kid is set in life. What can I say? The little man got my heart in that moment, but has won it repeatedly since. I never thought they could do anything to top that, but they did. They trusted me and included me during these difficult years. I was able to offer support and hopefully did help a bit.
In the wee hours of Saturday we lost a man with a wonderful sense humor, a gap-tooth smile, and with more compassion then I can convey. Jason was there for his family and friends. He always worried about Jennifer and Ryan. They were his world. Before being a husband and father, Jason was a brother and uncle. He enjoyed spending time with his sister and her family. He also loved his nieces and nephew. I have always enjoyed watching Jason with children. That giant of man was a teddy bear with kids. They trusted him and had fun with him. Some of my favorite pictures of are Ryan and Jason. This little guy with his dad and the love that is apparent.
There is no denying that Jennifer and Jason were a love match. Jason could make her giggle like no one else. It was the cutest thing to see and cracked me up. They supported each other and at times grew annoyed. Even during the trials any relationship has they loved each other to distraction. Someone suggested that Jennifer stop spending every night by Jason’s side. While she understood their she couldn’t do it. The summary of her response was she loved that man for 17 years and wouldn’t miss any of their minutes together. None of us ever thought that the Jennifer and Jason story would end this way.
Jason wasn’t a religious man, but he was spiritual. I have been thinking of how to say goodbye to him in a way that he would appreciate.
Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force.
YODA, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Jason may your transition to the force be a peaceful one and may we always feel your presence when we call on it.
Much love my friend.
