It was shocking to hear the news that my brother's best friend, Jason B., passed away in his sleep. He was also my friend, but he was friend with my brother for a long time, since second grade. Jason was my protective "older brother".
The next couple of days, I walked around in a dazed; in shocked. Memories of him flooded my mind as I walked around my house, where he lived with me and my brother for a year - everything I looked at and every room I went into brought back memories of him. I could only think of him as uncontrollable tears flowed down my face. And the next days and weeks, I was overcome by deep sadness and hurt. I needed to grieve. I needed to be around his family and friends to talk about Jason and to reminisce about him...
Our dear friend lost his life at a young age of 36. This was a tragic loss for all who knew him. The world had lost a great man. We all miss him. We all love him and knew he loved us. He was a friend that gave us bear hugs and would give the shirt off his back if anyone needed it.
I miss him so much. I regret that I didn't get to talk to him before he passed way. I wish I could have told him how much his friendship meant to me.
Jason loved going to concerts and hanging out with his friends. He was a great husband and father to his wife and kids. He was everything to his wife and kids.
A year ago, Jason threw an awesome house warming and birthday party for his wife, Jenny. He had a band called 2 and a Half White Guys playing in his basement. It was the most fun party I've been to.
This picture was taken two Christmases ago when he visited Cambodia and Thailand. He loved to travel. When we went to Puerto Rico, he gave me his first class seat when we flew back just so I could experience first class since I've never flew anything but coach. That's the kind of guy he was - generous and took good care of his friends.
I miss his sense of humor and fun personality. He was the life of the party. He made me laugh a lot.
He loved dressing up for Halloween and other occasions. He was also the guy that push the limit to see what kind of reaction he could get out of people.
Jason was a kid at heart. He taught me to play guitar hero and he taught me life wisdoms, like the time we had Indian dinner together and he said to me, "I want to do everything I enjoy now. And continue to discover new things I want to do in this world."
Jason had a great love for life and he was very passionate with his work and interests. And I love how he always had a good story to tell his friends and family.
Last week, on the the day after Thanksgiving, I went with Jenny, Jessica, Elyce, Spencer, Carl and Kelly to Zion National Park. We hiked to a water pond that flow down into the rest of Zion's park, and Jenny spread some of his ashes into the natural pool. Jason's favorite place was Zion and this place was a big part of him, now he is forever a part of the place he loved.
Jason, thank you for being a part of my life and being a great friend. You'll always be my other older brother. And thank you for being a big influence on the lives of my family and being a best friend to my older brother. You'll be in our hearts always and forever.
