A Beautiful and Sure Hope  / DI Gordon
My sincere condolences for your loss of Matthew and so very sorry for the sorrow you are going through now. In reading your story I can see the love he shared with family and friends.  I feel  impelled to share with you words of comfort and encouragement I received when I lost my young son for I know how it continues to give me a bright sure hope for the future.  For example there is a scripture in Revelation 21:4 that I found interesting.  For it reads: "And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.  The former things have passed away."   Note it reads "The former things  have passed away." Now death does not occur in heaven so this promise is for the earth.  Can you imagine death itself passing away on earth!  Verse 5 goes on to  say: "And the One seated on the throne said:  Look! I am making all things new."  Also, he says:  "Write because these words are faithful and true."  It gives us the expectation of a bright and beautiful future when we will be with our loved ones again.  That is why Psalm 37:29 reads, "The righteous themselves will possess the earth, And they will reside FOREVER upon it."  This is why Jesus said in John 5:28,  "Do not marvel at this, the hour is coming in which all those in their memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out."  Is this not what he did for his friend Lazarus (John Chapter 11:43) after being deceased for 4 days.  It is a beautiful story to read there in Chapter 11.  What an absolute thrill to look forward to seeing Matthew running up to hug his family and friends again!  For now the happy memories he left you will be cherished.  And each one is like a hug.
There is a free brochure you can acquire 'When someone You Love Dies' that is a great help both in practical and spiritual ways.  It shows how to deal with your grief and how to help others as well.  You will have comfort and  a sure hope from this information as I have.  It is free from any one of Jehovah's Witnesses you may come n contact with or call a local Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses.  May God's comfort, loving-kindnesses and holy spirit be with you. Close

My Favorite Memory  / Bill Culpepper (Middle School/High School Friend )
I met Jacob back in 7th grade, but my favorite memory of his was sitting in Mr. Phillers class our Freshman year.

Somehow, the discussion of what the sound of an expoding squirrel might make. I thought it would be "Chip POW," but Jacob disagreed. He was convinced thatit would be "Bee Bop Bop." He even had hand motions to what the squirrel might be doing before hand.

I talk a lot about Jacob at college. People love to hear about him.

Your family is still in my prayers.

Thank you for Jacob.

-Bill Close

You're the man Jacob!!!  / Ray Richard (new friend )
Hey dude, i didn't get the privalidge of meeting you until after you graduated from glynn academy!  Chad, my brother, always spoke highly of you!! The first time i met you, you were pretty shy, but i chisseled you down and got to know the out going guy we all know and love!!  i'm so glad a got to meet you, we always had an awesome time at the house and downtown!!!  you, along with every other friend of chad's, were like a little brothers to me and we all miss you so much!!!!!  i will never forget that bite of pizza you took out of that girls pizza that night before!!! We laughed and laughed and laughed!!!!! It's not fair!!!!!!!!  God Bless!!!!! Close

West Campus Deck  / Heather Allen (Friend of Jacob and Matt )
I'll never forget the night ( well middle of the night) that I met Matt and Jacob at the West Campus parking deck.  Jacob was at the top of the parking deck and Matt was at the bottom trying to catch the football Jacob was throwing from 6 stories up.  They were perfectly content and entertaining themselves.  That was also the same night we realized Jacob's hidden kicking talent.  He almost kicked the football to us on the top level of the deck!  Those were good times.  We never even stopped to thank God that we were even able to do those things.  Every time I think of Jacob's personality and sense of humor, it brings a smile to my face :) Close

I Needed More Time  / Adam Wynn (Lived Across the Hall )
I needed more time to get to know him.  I was Josh's roommate and only saw Jacob a few times even though we lived on the same hall, only one door down, and even went to the same church when in Athens.  When I heard the next morning that one of my roommate's friends had died in a car accident, I was certainly broken for him.  It hurt to watch him like that, but I wasn't overly affected.  As most of us do, I had come to accept that people far from me will die.  But I slowly began to realize which friend it was.  Like I'd said, I didn't know Jacob too well.  But every time he saw me, "Hey Adam.  How are you?"  I didn't know his name, had no clue HOW he knew mine at the time, but I enjoyed those momentary salutations.  When I realized just what had happened, and what a kind, people-first young man had died, I was broken for him.  I was broken for me, and for his family.  That was the first weekend I'd really hung out with his roommate, Nick, and then spent alot more time after that.  See, I'd learned from Jacob an interesting thought.  People really should come first, and they really do.  I only wish I'd learned that before (and even more so, without) Jacob's death, but then I don't think it would have been as powerful a lesson.  I wish I'd used the little time there to get to know Jacob.  From all I've read, he must have been a fantastic young man with a heart for people and a heart for the Lord.  I know they say we won't recognize each other in Heaven, but I have an odd feeling that, somehow, Jacob will still find me out and say, "Hey Adam.  How you been?  It's been far too long."  Close

Thank you Sandy and Michael  / The Gambles The Gambles (we would like to think we were his friends too )
Thank you for inviting us to your tribute to Jacob.  It is beautiful and deserving of such wonderful young man.
I am sorry for all your pain.  I tell you everytime I write to you that I wish I could have a giant eraser to wipe it all away and give you your Jacob back the way it should be.  I am sorry that I can't.
I love your page, I love your mothering smothering, I love your words.  Thank you.
Sandy Gamble Close

Moms who lost children thoughts  / Becky Lock (Momswholostchildren)
Sandy,
    As only a mom who has lost a child can understand......
that was beautiful, and so true! I know he and David, and all our boys are enjoying each other and the Lord, right now.I continue to lift you and yours up before our Strong Tower. He is our only hope.
You are "Precious", and I love you sweet friend........Becky   "Lambchop" Close