Hello Dear Sweet Jason - Do you know and can you feel the love that is down here on earth for you? I think you do and I think you smile every day about it. I can close my eyes and see that smile so very easy.
Well, your girls Emma, Gracie & Laney will be here for Thanksgiving, they are going to help us decorate your christmas tree in the garden. I know you will be out there with us. They miss you so Jason, always ask about you. The "fruit salad" will be here on the table! I know you miss it.
Better go for now, very late. Please keep your loving arms around those 3 little ones.
Does It Ever? / Mom (Mother)
I just don't know Jason, I really wonder if the pain and the yearning ever quits. I Love you more than ever and so very much want you here. I cannot believe the holidays are here again. I would do anything now to get one of your "request lists". Oh, the hours you spent making that list! I just miss you so Jason. Close
If you only knew / Mom (Mother)
Jason - After a meeting with my grief counselor yesterday she seems to think that YOU are very sorry you did what you did. You are watching us suffer down here and miss you so much and there is nothing you can do about it. I know you would not have done this if you had not been in such pain but, that does not help the situation we are in. Maybe with the counselors help I will be able to open my mind and let you come. God only knows how much I miss you. At times it is almost unbearable. I never in my life thought I would need professional help Jason, but this is almost too much for me. Watch over us all and help me please. I Love You So Much. Mom Close
Happy Birthday / Amy Gaston (sister in law )Read >>
Happy Birthday / Amy Gaston (sister in law )
Happy Birthday Jason. I hope now that you are watching over all of us, you can see how much you are missed. I guess when you were here you didn't think you were loved or appreciated the way you should've been, but now you realize how wrong you were. I wish I could've helped you. I wish you could've called and talked to me. I wouldn't have hestitated a bit to help you. Watch over your mom Jason. Show her you are doing ok in heaven. She needs you to remind her of that. She still has Charlie and three beautiful girls here who adore her. She needs to have a reason to carry on, and a reason to smile. Give her that reason if you can Jason. I know you can somehow. We will never forget you Jason. We love you.
To Peggy and Charles / Janice Simmons (Friend of Parents )Read >>
To Peggy and Charles / Janice Simmons (Friend of Parents )
Dear Peggy and Charles,
Although it has been a while since I wrote my first message to you two, you both are always in my heart.
You see, when you lost Jason, I lost him too. When a mother and father relinquishes a child to our Creator, no matter the age, there are always parents who feels the loss, too. I sincerely, deeply feel the loss of Jason.
I have to find the time, the silence to write my deepest feelings, and when I do, I do so from the deepest part of my soul. I feel the loss of Jason. Deeply and profoundly. I feel the loss of his beautiful smile. For those who know me, they know I really did not know Jason very well. I did not have to, for he was Peggy and Charles' son. I feel profound loss.
When a woman becomes a mother she is never is the same person. Her whole inner self changes. When this happens, she takes on a different phase of life. A new role. Her goals change, her attitudes change, her respective on life changes. She is a different person. She realizes change with carrying the child, the first sight of her child and the first touch. She may not know how deep the changes are until much, much later in her own life. For the love of the child and in loving a child, changes are constantly made. Daily changes are experienced and with each change, the child grows and learns who his parents are and his family is formed in terms of forever. Forever?
Fathers go through all of this, too. For Charles, I can only imagine if my father had lost me. We very so close, so very, very close. I was his son and daughter. Fathers are so often isolated because, unfortunately, our society teaches sons not to cry, not to show emotion, not to mourn openly. A father's loss is also profound, his life also permanently changed. Forever is just that, without another chance to touch, grab the son and hold on for dear life, literally. Struggling daily to adapt, to live without a beloved son. To stay strong for the mother. How are we suppose to this, Lord?
I can only offer we survive by loving the parents of the lost child. I think of Charles every single day of my life. Never will I forget seeing a grief-stricken father holding his son in a memorial box walking out of a funeral home. Truly I would love to have memories of seeing Charles and Jason together now living, loving, and enjoying a new phase of their lives, together. We have not been given that treasure.
Parenting is the toughest role we are given. We change. With change, we are constantly re-arranging daily chores, jobs tasks with thoughts of our family's future. We take for granted we are always going to achieve our own goals, aims, expectations. Most of us know we will have challenges, setbacks, and even some defeats. Not a perfect life but we never expect to outlive a child. We always want to think of our child outliving us and inheriting what we can possibly leave with them with the very best of ourselves. Not the earthly best, our inner selves best. We hope to somehow instill in them how we have lived our very, very best, and not necessarily for ourselves, but for our child. The very ingredients which makes us their parent, we want the child to always remember he was the most important person ever to us. We always hear of tragedies, of other parents dealing with the loss of their child, and we think, what if that happened to me, to us? We literally shake our heads to erase the thought from our brain, our mind, our heart. We keep going on with our lives, our plans. We feel sorrow for the others we hear about who loses a child. We know all along it happens to other people. Nothing prepares us when it happen to us. I cannot imagine, understand or know how to adapt to the pain, sorrow, the loss. I can say the loss of Jason has had a profound affect on me, to me.
As a mother, as a friend, I will always love Jason's parents. I will always try to make a day tolerable for Peggy. I have the honor to love her and to work with her. I know how to separate my mother role from my working associate role with Peggy. Mothers are forever mothers before the first breath of our child. To suffer the loss of a child is the worst human experience we have to endure. The loss of Jason has truly changed my life. To see the sadness, the loss, the "how to I go on" look on faces of two beautiful people, Peggy and Charles, has taught me so much. It has taught me to embrace these two wonderful people, to let them know I truly care about them. I deeply, sincerely feel the loss of Jason. I saw him few times, said few words to him, and I miss him more than most people can ever, ever imagine. I am a mother, a parent. If you have ever suffered, really suffered deep unimaginable pain, and truly felt a profound loss to your very soul, whether an unborn, newborn or worst yet, an older child, you have had hopes and dreams erased. How do I help Jason's parents?
I can only offer one thing. Love. I offer love with the hope Peggy and Charles will survive somehow stronger. Time has been cruel for them, to them. Healing? Not much but I will always love Jason for Peggy and Charles and that is my gift to them. My gift to Jason. Jason is important to me even though I cannot see him anymore, talk to him anymore, get to know him better but I can love him still. To embrace Peggy, Charles and Jason has enriched my life. What better gift from Jason to us left on earth than to know we have to love Peggy and Charles through the hardest times of their lives. Through pain, suffering and the loss of Jason, he sends us love. His life achieved more than some people he left behind. Peggy and Charles did a wonderful job with Jason. Look what Jason has achieved between Peggy, Charles, and Janice.
What can you say you have achieved? Ask yourself and reach out to someone who is suffering, who has lost a child. You cannot imagine how it can and will enrich your life. Jason lives on, right now, we have Jason through the most powerful emotion, love. His greatest achievement is he will never be forgotten and he brought me close to two wonderful people. My loss is I did not know him longer but what an impact he has made on my life! He is my son. Yes, he is my son, too. I will always love my son, Jason.
Dear Gadson Family, My deepest condolences goes out to each of you. There are no words to ease your hurt, but know that God has his arms around each of you at this time, and he won't let you go.. I pray for peace for you all. I will miss Jason greatly, as well. When we had the opportunity to chat, he'd share his excitement, he'd even call me at home to share what ever was on his mind. Jason was definatly a joy to know. Remembering a conversation in particular, I know Jason loves his family. I'll always remember his warm, gentle, loving spirit!
neighbor and friend / Kitty Mooneyhan (neighbor)Read >>
neighbor and friend / Kitty Mooneyhan (neighbor)
Jason, Every one in our neighborhood felt that you ( like Pebble's) belonged to all of us. Ever since you were a young boy, you had the run of the neighborhood. There was never any question that you were welcome in all of our homes or fishing in any of our ponds. You knew that you never had to ask permision. We all loved you and were crushed when you left us so suddenly. You left a void that will never be filled by anyone else on Pebble Lane. You helped to make our street a blessing to be our home. We pray that Heavenly Father's blessings of peace and comfort will be with your family and to all who love and miss you. We know that we will see you again some day. Frank and Kitty mooneyhan
Words about Jason / Amy Gaston (Sister in law )Read >>
Words about Jason / Amy Gaston (Sister in law )
Mom I don't think I could express any words better that Charlie's. Please just add that the girls and I would love to be there today and we cherish the wonderful and supportive friends our family has. Without them, we would have never made it through so far.
To everyone who attended Jason's Pig Pickin - Please Read / Charlie Gaston (Brother)Read >>
To everyone who attended Jason's Pig Pickin - Please Read / Charlie Gaston (Brother)
Hello All, Thank you so much for coming today to support Jason's Memorial Pig Roast. I know it means alot to Momma and Daddy and it means a lot to me to. I know that Jason is looking down from heaven on this day with a smile on his face. It is important as we remember the life of Jason that we have good friends and family to support us. Even though I am far away. I know that Momma and Daddy are surrounded by both.
Unfortunately, I am unable to attend today due to my schedule. I am currently at sea performing exercises that are important to our submarine force remaining the premier submarine force in the world. While I wish I could be there to support my parents, I know that what I am currently doing is important for protecting the freedom that so many Americans take for granted. I will be thinking of Jason along with the rest of you on this day. I ask that each one of you give each of my parent's a hug and tell them that I love them and wish I could be there today.
As I reflect on my brothers life many fond memories come to mind. As I watch my own children grow up I see from a different perspective the relationships that siblings have. While I know that Emma sometimes gets frustrated with her younger sisters, I know that she loves them very much and feels blessed to have them. I have felt and continue to feel the same way about Jason. It is a very special thing to be able to grow up with a sibling. As the older sibling it is a special priviledge to attempt to pass on some of your wisdom so that they will be able to avoid some to the mistakes that you have made in the past. Recently, my own children have started playing school regularly in which Emma is the teacher and Gracie and Laney are the students. This is a great game where Emma gets to pass on to the twins some of her wisdom. The twins are very eager to learn and catch on quickly. This can only pay positive dividends in the end. While we never had this kind of structured enviroment, I can remember many times where this same type of scenario played out between me and Jason. Playing ball in the yard, fishing in the ponds, or even collecting and comparing baseball cards quickly come to mind. I cherish these memories as these are memories that I would not have without Jason. Jason is well remembered and equally missed. One day I will meet up with him in heaven and our roles will be reversed, as he will be the one with the experience and I will be the one willing to learn.
I love you Jason. One day we will meet again.
Thank all of you once again for coming today. If any of you wish to contact me, my boat email address is gastoncc@providence.navy.mil.
Momma and Daddy, know that I love you and will be thinking of you on this day. You two are the best parents a son could ask for. I look forward to seeing you soon.
You Are Missed / Jake Fulmer (good friend )Read >>
You Are Missed / Jake Fulmer (good friend )
jason you were and still are a good friend and will always be around and never forgotten. love jake Close
The Broken Circle / Rosa Lee Aunt Inez's Daughter (Aunt)Read >>
The Broken Circle / Rosa Lee Aunt Inez's Daughter (Aunt)
We little knew that morning that GOD was going to call your name. In life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone; for part of us went with you, the day GOD called you home.
You left us peaceful memories, your loves is still our guide; and though we cannot see you, your are alaways at our side.
Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same; but as GOD calls us one by one, the CHAIN wil link again. .................................................................................................................................
I look forward to the day I see you again, I am not afraid of death, Ijust think of all the loved ones, especially you, that I will see again Mom
Dear Jason, Peggy & Charles / Janice Simmons (Friend of Parents )Read >>
Dear Jason, Peggy & Charles / Janice Simmons (Friend of Parents )
It has taken a long time for me to do this, but I want you both to know how much I think of you two every single day. I cannot imagine your grief, your sorrow. I can only wish for the two of you some kind of peace some day. I know it will come. It will happen here on earth. May not be the depth we wish for, the amount we would desire, but it will come. Heavenly peace will be so much more powerful, complete and eternal.
Love to you both and most of all, may you find some sort of comfort knowing people all around you wish you something only the Lord can provide with time. Inner peace knowing you did your best as most parents do. You loved your son and he knew it. Somehow, Peggy and Charles, let the people who love and think of you every single day, take away some of the pain each time we talk of your beloved Jason. Allow your neighbors, friends and family to shoulder some of the grief now. You two have suffered an unimaginable loss. Most of us cannot know how deep, but those who love you two can only try to lift some of the burden of the enormous pain. You see, if you allow us to take some of the pain away by listening, by loving you two, it helps us to feel we have helped you two just a little each time we speak of Jason. Unfortunately, that is our only gift we can offer to two parents who are suffering and grieving. My hope is somehow the weight of your suffering will lighten in some way soon. You do not have to feel so much grief to still remember Jason, to still love your memories of your beloved son. With the second celebration of his life approaching, my prayer for you Peggy and Charles is your days wll get sweeter in rememberance of Jason and not so painful. You will be able to laugh in remembering your fine young son and not cry or hurt so much. The first times may be awkward or uncomfortable. It is not a betrayal of his memory, his life. It is healing to remember Jason with unending, complete love. Eternal love for your beloved son. When those days come for you tow, our job as your friends will be complete or ended. For we will always remember Jason but with with smiles and loving hearts. This is our gift for Jason to honor his wonderful parents.
Letter to Mom / Jason Gaston (I am Jason ) Mom, please don't feel guilty It was just my time to go I see you are still feeling sad, And the tears just seem to flow.
We all come to earth for our lifetime, And for some it's not many years I don't want you to keep crying You are shedding so many tears.
I have't really left you Even though it may seem so, I have just gone to my heavenly home, And I'm closer to you than you know.
Just believe that when you say my name I'm standing next to you, I know you long to see me, But there's nothing I can do.
But I'll still send you messages And hope you understand, That when your time comes to "cross over" I'll be there to take your hand.Close
Coon Hunting / Waylon &. Cristin Watkins (Very Close Friends )
We were on our way to Walker Days in Salisbury, North Carolina and Jason was doing about 90 miles per hour on the interstate. Well, we got pulled. The cop said "do you know how fast you wee going?" Jason said no and the cop asked if we were in a hurry and Jason told him we were going to Walker Days (a coon hunting event). The cop said that if had been going any thing else we would have gotten a ticket. The cop said slow it down and he let us go. We love Jason so much and will never forget all of the coon hunting memories and just hanging out playing cards;
Jason/ Sam Tupper (Best Friend )
For a very long time you have been a very good friend to me, you were always there when I needed someone no matter what the problem and I willnever forget that. I will never forget the times we had.
Tributes and Condolences
