JARRETT'S 3RD YR. ANGELVERSARY GRAPHIC

12/29/2011...IT'S GOING ON 3 YEARS SINCE YOU RAN YOUR LAST CALL. WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE? MENTALLY~FOR US, IT STILL FEELS LIKE DECEMBER 31ST,2008...THE DAY THAT TIME STOOD STILL.

     WE CONTINUE TO GO ABOUT OUR DAILY LIVES. I STILL WORK AND LOOK FORWARD TO RETIRING...IF THE ECONOMY DOESN'T DO MY JOB IN FIRST.

     YOUR TYLER AND HIS FAMILY HAVE MOVED. THEY'VE GOTTEN A HOUSE. HE'S GETTING TALL. HE LIKES RECEIVING ONE OF HIS CHRISTMAS GIFTS EARLY. I GIVE HIM A SPECIAL ORNAMENT IN MEMORY OF YOU.

     AS YOU KNOW, YOUR BFF ANGIE IS EXPECTING AND IT'S A GIRL. SHE'LL HAVE YOUR MIDDLE NAME WORKED INTO HER NAME, SO SHE CAN CARRY SOME PART OF YOU AND YOUR MEMORY ON.

     I SOMETIMES STILL CAN'T GET IT IN MY HEAD THAT YOU'RE NOT HERE. I KNOW THAT WE'VE GOT TO GET IN YOUR ROOM AND DO SOMETHING...BUT, I JUST DON'T HAVE IT IN ME RIGHT NOW. WHEN I THINK ABOUT IT, I CAN HONESTLY FEEL MY INSIDES SHAKE. KNOWING THAT WE'VE GOT TO, YET, I CAN'T MAKE MYSELF MOVE TO DO IT. I CAN GO IN YOUR ROOM AND MOVE THINGS AROUND, TOUCH YOUR CLOTHES, YOUR THINGS AND I'M OK. BUT, TO EVEN THINK ABOUT PUTTING 'EM AWAY~FOR GOOD...I JUST CAN'T SEE IT HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

     I DID CHANGE SOMETHING IN THE HOUSE AND WHEN I STARTED ON IT...I CRIED. JUST THINKING THAT IT'S THE FIRST THING INSIDE THE HOUSE THAT I'VE CHANGED SINCE YOU RAN YOUR LAST CALL. ONLY ANOTHER MOTHER WHO HAS LOST THEIR CHILD WOULD UNDERSTAND THAT.

     IT'S A MENTAL CHALLENGE AND IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG HAUL...SINCE YOU CAN'T RUN AWAY FROM YOUR MEMORIES.

     MEMORIES...I THINK BACK TO THE DAY OF WHAT ENDED UP BEING YOUR LAST CALL. SO MANY THINGS RUN THROUGH MY MIND AND THAT DAY IS BY FAR THE MOST. YOU WERE HAPPY, EVEN THOUGH YOU WERE HAVING TO CLEAN THE STATION UP IN ORDER TO WORK/EAT/LIVE AND SLEEP THERE, YOU WERE STILL HAPPY TO BE CLOSER TO HOME, BE CLOSER TO YOUR GRANDPARENTS HOUSES AND WOULD EVEN RUN A CALL THAT WAY SHOULD SOMETHING HAPPEN.

     I REMEMBER CALLING MY MOM (GRANNY) AND TELLING HER THAT YOU WOULD BE STATIONED THERE AND WOULD BE THE ONE TO RESPOND IF YOU WERE WORKING SHOULD SHE HAVE TO MAKE A 911 CALL. SHE WAS HAPPY TO KNOW THAT. TO KNOW THAT SOMEONE WOULD KNOW HOW TO GET TO HER HOUSE.

     I ALSO REMEMBER HAVING TO MAKE THE CALL TO HER ON THAT NIGHT THAT YOU RAN YOUR LAST CALL. YOU COULD SAY THAT I WAS LOST! IT'S NOT SUPPOSE TO BE THAT WAY AND I WASN'T SUPPOSE TO BE MAKING THAT CALL. EVEN THOUGH WE HAD TALKED ABOUT THE ''WHAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENS''. NOTHING WENT THE WAY THAT YOU AND YOUR BROTHER EXPLAINED THAT THINGS WOULD GO.

     I OFTEN THINK OF WHAT ALL YOU WOULD BE DOING NOW. HOW MANY JOBS YOU'D BE WORKING. KNOWING THAT YOU'D STILL BE WITH THE FIRE DEPT. AND WORKING PART TIME W/THE P.O.

     WONDERING IF YOU'D HAVE YOUR LITTLE NIECE SPOILED ROTTEN. IF YOU'D BE TEACHING HER ''FIRE SAFETY'' EVEN AT HER YOUNG AGE...OF 2. (NEVER CAN START TOO EARLY-UH)?

     BE SURE TO WATCH OVER YOUR BROTHER AND MAKE SURE THAT HE GETS HOME SAFELY TO HIS GIRLS.

     SURE WISH YOU WERE HERE!

     MISS YOU EACH AND EVERY DAY!

     LOVE YOU MY JARRETT ALWAYS, MAMA

 

Well, Jarrett... you're going to be a godfather to a beautiful baby girl.  Meet Raegan Ashlee!!  She's due May 1st and is right on target with her development.  I had to make sure you were able to see her and everyone would be able to see her on your site, the namesake for my girl.  Ashlee is specifically spelled different just for you.  We wanted to have "Lee" in the name somehow because we want to keep your name alive, even if you're no longer with us.  You'll FOREVER be with me in heart and mind, but now I get to see a beautiful girl who will always remind me of the best friend a person could EVER have.  I love you, Jarrett!!

Merry (early) Christmas!

IT'S YOUR NIECE'S 2ND BIRTHDAY

WISH YOU WERE HERE UNCLE JARRETT

LOVE YOU,

MIABELLA

Becky, here is a banner I made for Jarrett's site if you like it...if you do not want to use it that is fine too I tried to find snowmen to match his background and the size can be adjusted within the box after selecting it...my feelings will not be hurt if you do not like it, just delete this post... hope everything on his site works out for you...I got to do Leah's for Christmas soon...thanks for everything   aunt Jo

10 November,2011:  Tomorrow markes six years, SIX years since the day I came home from my first deployment.  I sat back thinking about it this morning and you and your family were ALWAYS there for me.  You were there to see me off on the bus that drove me to Camp Shelby, MS, before I would deploy and you were there when I got home on that brisk day in November.  I still remember getting off the bus and was surprised in some ways that you and your parents were the only ones there for me!  My family was on their way, but not there... not like you guys were.  The reporters interviewed us, even asking if you were my family.  You were and always will be my family, even if not by blood.  I still keep and have your bear present with me that you gave me on that day.  I will never give it up!!  I also promise to tell the little one all about the man he/she is named after.  In fact, we should be finding out in two weeks if we're having a little Nathaniel Jarrett or Raegan Ashlee... you will be one of the first to know.  Heck, you probably already know!!  I love you, Jarrett, and miss you dearly.  I may not get on your site every day, but I always think about you, still have plenty of opportunities to talk about you when people ask about my bracelett (which I ALWAYS wear, even to church, even if it doesn't "match" perfectly with my outfit), and still look at your pictures that are up around the house.  Take care my friend...

Love,
Your BFF, Angela

JARRETT'S 2011 THANKSGIVING GRAPHICS

10/3/2011...PICTURES:  I was unpacking boxes the other day hanging up pictures and getting settled I opened a box of photo's and the first one I seen was a picture of you, Sean and I at Great Granny's funeral you were in your ROTC uniform standing by my moms mustang. You looked so handsome and grown up. I came across another one from when we were little, again all 3 of us. This was from Olan Mills my mom took us to get our pictures made together. These pictures put a smile on my face and tears in my eyes. I wish there was a way to turn back time and erase all that has happened in the last 2 years. Even though I live in Virginia still nothing is the same back home no one is the same any more and for good reason. It's just heart breaking! Now I need to find a frame to fit this picture and to make a copy for your mom and mine. Jarrett, I may not visit your site daily but please know that I love you and miss you terribly. I think about you daily and constantly think if I would have just made the call to tell you happy new year's I would have gotten to tell you I loved you and I missed you. I hate living here away from everyone but Shawn and the kids are here and they keep me grounded and sane. I hope you are watching over all your family and friends, your mom, dad and sean mostly keeping them safe. We all miss you so much. I love you.

P.S. Wish you could have met Eli you would have loved him he's so funny maybe you could have taught him not to be scared of fire trucks :)

Love Always and Forever
Cousin.

9/29/2011...IT'S NOW BEEN 2YRS.,9MO'S,1 DAYS SINCE YOU RAN YOUR LAST CALL.  TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY AND IT'S NO MORE HAPPIER TODAY THAN IT WAS LAST YEAR OR THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
     I STILL HAVE THE TEXT THAT YOU SENT ME THAT HAS THE BIRTHDAY CAKE AND YOUR COUSIN HAD TO SHOW ME HOW TO SAVE IT SO I WOULDN'T ACCIDENTLY DELETE IT. 
     YOUR BROTHER HAS HURT MY FEELINGS AND SO...IT MAKES FOR JUST ANOTHER DAY IN OUR LIVES THAT WE HAVE TO LEARN TO HANDLE SOMETHING ELSE. 
     MISS YOU EACH AND EVERY DAY!
     WISH YOU WERE HERE!
     LOVE YOU MY JARRETT  ALWAYS, MAMA

22 September 2011

I went to the doctor's office yesterday for another ultrasound of your godchild.  The baby is doing absolutely SUPERB!  We got an official due date of May 1st, 2012.  I immediately thought of you and how I would text you the moment I got the great news about everything. 

We did also finalize the names, too.  If we have a boy, his name will be Nathaniel Jarrett.  If we have a girl, her name will be Raegan Ashlee (spelled with "Lee").  I'm attaching a picture so everyone can see your beautiful god child... the one that will be named after you.  :)  Love you, Jarrett!!!

                     NEW FALL GRAPHICS OF JARRETT
                                                            9/2011

Jarrett,

 I wanted to make sure you knew on your site as well as when I told you this morning, but you're going to be a godfather... or would have been.  I just took a pregnancy test this morning and almost immediately thought of you.  I just want you to know if the baby is a boy, his name will be Nathaniel Jarrett Avery.  I think I told you that (at least your mom) before.  We haven't really decided a girl's name, but I want to have the middle name something with Lee in it... like Karlee or Kylee.  Something like that.  I'll certainly let you know when we find out.  I just had to let you know!  Have a wonderful day in Heaven and I will talk with you soon.

 Love ALWAYS!!!!

 Angela
(9-1-11)

8/25/2011...IT'S NOW BEEN 2YRS., 7MO'S, 3 WEEKS AND 2 DAYS SINCE YOU RAN YOUR LAST CALL.  ME AND YOUR DADDY WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT WHEN TYLER CAME INTO OUR LIVES.
     HE REMEMBERS YOU BRINGING HIM WITH YOU WHEN YOU'D COME TO THE LAKE AND WE'D CAMP OUT.  HE REMEMBERS IT BEING AT THE LAKE WHEN I GOT TYLER TO START CALLING US J-MAMA AND J-DADDY.
     HE DOESN'T REMEMBER YOU BABYSITTING HIM.  I HAD TO TELL HIM ABOUT YOU CALLING ME AND ASKING ME QUESTIONS ON CHANGING HIS DIAPERS.  YOU DIDN'T LIKE THE DIRTY ONES.  I HAD TO EXPLAIN WHAT YOU HAD TO DO AND WHAT YOU NEEDED TO DO WHEN CLEANING HIM.
     HE JUST SAT BACK AND SAID:  HAS IT BEEN THAT LONG???  YES, IT HAS.  HE'S NOW 10 YRS. OLD.  I WONDER JUST HOW MUCH OF AN INFLUENCE YOU'D BE ON HIM IF YOU WERE STILL HERE. 
     THERE'S SO MANY OTHER THINGS THAT YOU ARE MISSING OUT ON.  SURE DO WISH YOU WERE HERE!
     MISS YOU EACH AND EVERY DAY!
     LOVE YOU MY JARRETT  ALWAYS, MAMA

8/23/2011...I hate to think of myself as a bad friend to you after all the years that you and I were "glue"... I pray that you don't think of me that way because I don't "visit" your sites often.  I hope that you know that I think of you often, I see your smile sometimes when I close my eyes, and I still love you and your family with all my heart!!  That will NEVER change.  I also feel so awful for not keeping regular "updates" on your Act at the GA Capital.  It pains me to know that it was vetoed months ago and I never knew!!  In fact, it was vetoed the day before my birthday... how awful!  I always took pride in knowing that something good came out of your premature passing.  That something good would happen because you were taken from us so soon!  I pray that maybe one day it'll be true and maybe they can rewrite the "Jarrett Little Act" one more time and maybe this time it'll change!!  Either way, here's the article written by Gov Deal's administration as to why he didn't pass it: 

http://www.georgia.gov/00/press/detail/0,2668,165937316_170988643_171435055,00.html

Horrible, is it not??  I understand that "dependent" could be interpretted in a broad way, but I don't see why you cannot CHOOSE who gets your money if they are related to you in some way!  I know it opens it up for just anyone, but parents?  Parents cannot get any kind of reprieve when they lose a son?  Breaks my heart and I ensure you I sent a nasty gram to Deal when I saw that!

Anyways, I apologize for being so "distant", but I do love you and I hope that you know that.  I listen to this song and watch the video ALL the time thinking about you (in tears, which is kind of humiliating when you're at work): 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GWQ-oDMG6g&ob=av2n

8/10/2011...IT'S NOW BEEN 2YRS.,7 MO.'S AND 1 WEEK SINCE YOU RAN YOUR LAST CALL.
     I JUST HAD A PHONE CALL FROM SHANNON'S MOM. SHE WANTED TO TELL ME A STORY OF WHAT HAPPENED TO HER THIS PAST WEEKEND WHILE DOING SOME SCHOOL SUPPLY SHOPPING.
     SHE WENT TO HER LOCAL WAL-MART AND FORGOT TO GET A BUGGY. WHEN SHE WENT BACK, SHE TOLD THE GREETER THAT SHE NEEDED TO GET A BUGGY AND HE SAID THAT HE WOULD GET IT FOR HER.
     WHEN HE TURNED AROUND, SHE NOTICED HIS NAME TAG. HIS NAME WAS: JARRETT. SPELLED THE EXACT SAME WAY AS YOURS.
     SHE TOLD HIM THAT HIS NAME WAS SPELLED THE EXACT SAME WAY AS HER DAUGHTER'S EX-BOYFRIEND WHO WAS A FIREFIGHTER.
     HE SAID THAT HE KNEW...HE WAS KILLED GOING TO A FIRE. SHE ASKED HIM HOW HE KNEW YOU AND HE SAID HE DIDN'T. THAT HE HAD JUST READ ABOUT YOU AND SEEN YOUR BUSINESS CARD AT AN EATERY EARLIER THAT DAY. 
     HE TOLD HER THAT HE WANTED TO BE A FIREFIGHTER TOO.
WHICH PUT HER IN TEARS.  
     HER AND SHANNON WERE HANGING OUT~DOING MOTHER/DAUGHTER THINGS TODAY AND WHEN SHE TOLD SHANNON, SHANNON SAID THAT SHE HAD TO CALL AND TELL ME! 
     SO, SHE DID. IT WAS HEARTWARMING, YET HEARTBREAKING BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT HERE TO CONTINUE DOING WHAT YOU LOVED DOING. 
     SHE WANTED ME TO KNOW THAT SHE AND HER FAMILY STILL LOVE YOU AND ALWAYS WILL.  THEY MISS YOU TOO!
     YOU'RE STILL REACHING PEOPLE AND GETTING 'EM TO JOIN THEIR LOCAL FIRE DEPT. THOUGH, I SURE WISH YOU WERE HERE!

     MISS YOU EACH AND EVERY DAY!
     LOVE YOU MY JARRETT  ALWAYS, MAMA