Walked part of the Camino with my daughter, Madison, in May. You were in my thoughts almost daily and... 'its just a stone' you might say...but laid one for you at a point on the trail in Spain that was 'you'.  I walked past it at first, then turned around and walked back to that specific place. You were very much there. Thanks.

I pray for strength for your family everyday, Jake. Hugs. 

May peace be with your spirit, my dear friend. 

Psalm 23:1-2 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.

Hard to believe we're already at the 1 yr anniversary of Jacob's passing.

Time has a way of running away with us leaving us to reflect back on our memories of those who have left us to soon.

Rest in peace Jacob and rest assured that you are thought of by someone , somewhere on a daily basis. In this way you still live on...…. if only in our hearts and memories. Love you always.....

Jake’s sudden passing away 9 months ago has been and will continue to be a greatest regret in my life. It indirectly but most powerfully led me to become a Christian. Every morning I pray that his spirit be in peace that is from our Lord Jesus Christ. I am continuing to meet some of the young kids he once taught, through whose shining faces, I can always see his broad gentle smile and feel my moisturized eyes. I pray and beg for Lord’s mercy which I believe will enable me to see him again in the future. Jake, Happy Birthday

It has been almost 9 months to the day since Jacob died. I had thought that I would have moved on by now, found some way to deal with his loss, would have begun to move forward -- but I realize that all I have been able to do is to continue to put the reality of his death "on hold". I started to feel the coming of this day on Monday when it occurred to me that Jake would be 36 years old today. Wow -- 36 -- a whole life ahead of him and likely, the best years of his life to come. That may be the hardest for me, that he will never accomplish all that he hoped and dreamed about -- that I will never hear that laugh again, see that lopsided grin and see that twinkle that was his life.

Thirty-six years ago I was in the hospital, two weeks earlier than anticipated and delivered by emergency C-section a tiny little baby -- the smallest of all my children. He was barely 6 pounds and by the time he left the hospital he was closer to 5 and jaundiced. Two weeks later at home, he began to cry nonstop and nothing I did could comfort him...he had colic! Both of my other children were such easy babies and here was Jake...making it known that he was here and it wan't going to be all roses :). When I would feed him he would stare at me so intently while nursing or sucking his bottle and his eyebrows would knit together -- like he was memorizing my face and thinking of all the things he had yet to do in this life. Interestingly, Jessi and Aaron never experienced the "terrible twos" until Jake came along and then they all went through them together -- 3 toddlers in the terrible two stage with Jacob as their ringleader. Even in the midst of the trouble, he had a smile on his face and a sheepish grin that let you know he just "had to try to get away with it"...and even when he was in trouble you had to laugh (never in front of him but at night, talking about the creative trouble that often resulted from him trying to figure life out).
Today, his birthday has been a very rough day as I have wandered aimlessly around the farm and without purpose...thinking of him...weeping over him...weeping over my loss...remembering him...wondering why...knowing that God is in control...praying Jesus holds him in the crook of his arms...

I am sure Jake is on his biggest adventure yet -- for one who constantly contemplated the big questions in life and who sought to understand things at such a deep level -- moving out of life into the thereafter early would seem natural. As medics and doctors were trying to bring him back to life with CPR for over an hour, I wonder, did he hover between the spiritual realm and this life and make a choice to go? I wonder if he knew the huge hole he would leave for those of us left behind and whose hearts would break anew on days without warning -- those who would miss him desperately...whose lives would never be the same again?

You brought us joy and life and laughter and our lives were blessed to have had you in them. Be blessed as you blessed so many others...

Happy birthday Jake -- my beloved son -- the joy of my life -- the pain in my heart -- you are loved and missed -- and not forgotten......

--mom--

p.s. Please go to the LIFE tab and revisit the two videos I made for his memorial service (Part 1 & Part 2 of his life).

Since meeting Jacob in 1999, I've awoken on May 3rd thinking of him. Needless to say, today is hard.

Miss you, Jacob. I wish we had more time together, and I wish I could send you a shitty birthday message about white male privilege. You would have enjoyed the banter. I would have been driven nuts by it at some point. Now you're harassing angels. Til we meet again, sweet one.

Jacob's birthday today.
Thinking of him and wishing he were here with us.
It is spring and this time of year brings renewal and affirmation of life.
Just like he did on this day when he was born. Little did we know what God would have planned for him and that he would be taken from us way too soon.
Happy Birthday Jacob!  We love you and miss you......

We just held a memorial service for Jacob on Saturday, October 6th, 2018 at 1:00 pm on the farm in Rock Creek, Minnesota for close family. I have posted the two memorial service videos with pictures and music under the "LIFE" tab and these are labeled Part 1 (his childhood) and Part 2 (his adulthood). Please visit these videos whenever you think of him and want to smile and thank God for his life...
We still have yet to spread his ashes and are waiting for a sunny day with the right temperature and a wind blowing across the pastures...a day he would have said was "perfect"...

I didn't know Jacob....However, for some reason, I felt the need to leave a message.
Words can rarely articulate the sense of what it's like to lose a much-loved individual. I am truly sorry for your loss.
The world can ill afford to lose compassionate, empathetic and thoughtful people, who sincerely care about their fellow inhabitants. It seems that Jacob was indeed one of those... I was so happy to hear that he held animals in high regard; a beautiful trait of a beautiful soul.
I do hope the celebration of Jacob's life, that you have planned, is a wonderful and inspiring day, that reflects the impact he had on those he loved and cared for.
With love.

I am passing on a message that I have just recently received which has been very meaningful to me. This message came from his thesis advisor at University of Maryland; I am thankful for the work they are doing trying to track down any of Jake's stories and work during his time in his MFA program.
________________________________________
I'm writing because I just learned the terribly sad news of Jacob's passing. I'm so sorry for your loss.
I worked with Jacob on his final thesis project at Maryland and taught him in workshop. He was a very gifted, original writer whose imagination took him to strange and remarkable places in his stories. He was always stretching towards creating something new and surprising and he wasn't afraid to face troubling subject matter in his work. Lindsay Bernal let me know that you would like copies of any of Jacob's stories that we still have. The work I have archived are the stories that became part of this thesis, which Lindsay told me you already have. I'll continue to look through my files and if I find any more of Jacob's writing, I'll be sure to send it on to you.
Until reading the memorial page you dedicated to him, I didn't know that Jacob struggled with alcoholism. I lost a friend to that illness a few years ago and so I have a sense of how difficult it can be to successfully recover and how painful it is for friends and family to see someone they love go through that. I hope it might comfort you to know that Jacob had good friends among the other students at Maryland who appreciated and cared about him a great deal.
In sympathy,
Emily Brandchaft Mitchell

I am passing on a message that I have recently received which has been very meaningful to me:
______________________________________

Thank you for being in touch with the MFA Program about Jacob's death. Language fails in the face of a grief like that. I'm so sorry for your loss. I was one of Jacob's professors in the MFA Program and had the pleasure of watching him develop as a writer. One of the things that struck me most about Jacob was his energy for learning and for teaching, and his rigorous engagement with the world. It's a rare quality in a person. I was deeply saddened to hear of his passing. I'm thinking of you and your family, and of Jacob.

very best,
Maud (Casey)
Professor of English
Creative Writing, English Department
UMD, College Park

I was in a state of shock when I read the passing of Jacob. I remember vividly with the rest of the family at Lincoln. He was always nice and courteous. His service to his chosen area of the world to work must have been rewarding and gratifying for him. He left something of which he would always be remembered in China. I pray for the peaceful repose of his soul. I also pray for strength and courage for the family as they deal with this very sad loss.

This message meant so much to me I wanted to share it with others...
______________________
Hi Nancy,
My name is Blaire and I was a fellow MFA fiction writer with Jacob at UMD. I was actually assigned to him his first year as his buddy/mentor and was the first one to meet him upon his arrival. I just heard of his passing and wanted to send my thoughts and prayers. We lost touch after I moved back to NYC upon my finishing of my MFA, and I am kicking myself for not staying in contact with him.
Jacob made a lasting impression on everyone he ever met. We immediately clicked, perhaps because of our similar dark humor, and he was always there for a laugh and a talk. He was truly a good person. He was also extremely funny and always made me laugh. One of my favorite stories with him was his second year of his MFA. He was paired up to mentor another Jacob who he quickly nick-named "Fake-ob" as he was not the real Jacob. Everyone in the program immediately and always referred to this new Jacob as "Fake-ob."
We were driving back to his place with some friends to hang out one night when we saw Fake-ob riding his bike. We decided to honk at him to say hello but didn't realize this would scare him so much that he ended up falling off of his bike! The red light changed and we had to move, so Jacob yelled out the window "We love you!" before speeding off. This may not seem that funny in writing, but in person it was hilarious.
At UMD, he would always come into my office to say hello and chat. He was one of the hardest workers in our program, the amount of writing he would get done was astounding. And he had a lot of talent. My favorite story of his was based on the farm he grew up on and was truly fantastic.
Again, I am so sorry for your loss. Jacob was truly a wonderful person who I will never forget. His talent, intelligence, humor, and kindness was so special and I am glad I got to know him.
Blaire

Nancy and family, I can't even begin to imagine what you are going through. This is a wonderful tribute to Jacob. He sounded like a brilliant man with so many amazing accomplishments in his short life. Know that I have been thinking about you Nancy. Theresa Brule- Haggerty

I am sorry for what happened, given that Jacob departed to another realm at a young age. But what is so inspiring is the story about how he lived his life and what he has accomplished within this short time. Thanks very much to the family for the courage to explain the struggle in his life in addition to his great accomplishments. I pray for God's strength and wisdom as the family process this situation. And for all of us, I pray that we are going to be inspired by the people-oriented and caring ideals that infused Jacob's life. May God bless and strengthen your family.

The first time I met Jacob, I remember arriving to his apartment in Lincoln and of course I could already hear his voice before entering the door. I'll never forget Jacob's deep raspy voice. I was always the quiet one in our friendship but that was never a problem. Jacob loved to talk and I loved to listen to him. I thought I knew a lot about the world when I met Jake, and then this freshman who should've been too young to even be in college humbled me with his knowledge and the clarity of his perspective. I honestly don't know if there is another person in my life who had a much of a role in helping me form my view of the world than Jacob and for that I am forever in his debt. His is a powerful soul and I'm lucky to have been able to take in its brilliance for a short time. I feel like I could spend the rest of my life trying to figure out the right phrase to live up to my memories of Jacob and never get it just right. He was truly an individual, one the likes of which I will never meet again. Rest in Peace you amazing bastard!

I never met Jacob, but I imagine he was a good person with a big heart and a great smile. I heard several stories about him from his family. Their love was always obvious. I am so very sorry for your loss Nancy, Artie, Jessica, family, and friends. Our world is a bit quieter, but hopefully in time, your hearts will again be able to draw upon your love and good memories of Jacob. Again, my condolences and wishes for peacefulness. All my best.
Lance Lippert

Our hearts ache for your loss - and our hearts are thankful for the good memories you have of Jacob. What a gifted and remarkable person - so full of life, so full of love for others. As parents, we have felt helpless at times when the children that we love and would give our lives for make choices we wish they did not make. Your love for Jacob is obvious. We pray that God's grace will be present in meaningful ways as your friends surround you.
Jay & Barb

Jacob’s quick wit and humor will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him. You can be so very proud of everything he accomplished in his life and the joy he brought to lives he touched. Thank you for sharing memories and his humorous videos with me. We are thinking of you and hope those wonderful memories help ease the loss of your precious son.
Love - Michelle and Danny

When I saw a random Facebook post with the words “R.I.P. Jacob Eckstein,” I immediately laughed to myself thinking ‘of course, only Jacob would fake his own death, and venture into legend-enigma status like Tupac or Elvis.’ But a quick google search led me to an obit. My second thought was that this was a very elaborate ruse. When I realized it was for real, the world suddenly grew a bit less bright, less comfortable and suddenly life felt more fleeting and more precious. How could the world lose someone so special? So bright? With so much to offer, teach and give? 
I knew Jacob in passing and high school and again a couple of years after high school when he was on hiatus from school and I was living in Rochester,MN. I don’t know how we reconnected but we spent a lot of time one winter hanging out in my tiny house behind a house. Jacob loved my little dog Walter, and we spent a lot of time talking politics, religion and life. He often shared his writing and drawings in his notebook. I remembered just sitting in stunned silence listening as he connected the dots between historical events, political figures and conspiracy theories. 
Jacob filled every room with his booming voice, wit and presence, but if you watched him closely, you could see how gentle, kind and generous his spirit was. Without a doubt, he impacted everyone that had the pleasure of knowing him. My sincerest condolences to his family, friends and loved ones.

To all of Jacob's family - my heart breaks at Jacob's passing. He was such a fine young man and we so enjoyed having him as a student worker in the Communication Studies Department when he was an undergraduate at UNL. May God be with you during this very difficult time.

Nancy,
Thinking of you and extending to you and your family all of the prayers and love that I can. My mama's heart aches for you, my Pastor's arms uphold you and my colleague's heart wants to lighten you load to give you time to grieve and wade through the waters of sorrow which are heavy. What a tremendous young man your son was. Blessings to you, Artie and all who love Jacob.

Jacob really was awesome. He was like a brilliant diamond. He was so talented and he entered a noble profession. He shared his light with others. You must be so proud to have a son of such a calibre. I only really knew Jacob in passing but my thoughts have returned to him when I've watched Shakespeare's plays and met artists whose talent I observe from the side lines gawking and in awe. His abilities aren't what made others love him; it was his compassion and heart. With great sadness my heart goes to you and your family and friends. I feel honoured to know Jacob and that he shared a little of his light with me.

This morning Jacob's very dear friend and colleague Zhengyan Guo (Barb) leaves the United States to go back to China; she made the long journey here to bring Jake's body back home. Words can not begin to express the gratitude and love we feel toward this amazing woman and her family for what they did for Jacob both before and after his death. Jake had many friends located in many different parts of the world, but Barb, her husband Ken, and their daughter Crystal held a special spot in Jake's heart and he often called them his "family." He talked about Barb in almost every message he sent, told stories about her, teased her, had the highest admiration and affection for her, and offered her the utmost respect. We all know that having Jacob's heartfelt respect was the highest compliment that Jake could offer anyone - it meant he loved you, trusted you, cherished you and would do anything for you -- regardless of the cost. This tribute is to recognize the wonderful positive impact Barb had on Jacob's life and to recognize the fact she saw his potential and was willing to invest in Jake in what ended up being one of the most rewarding times in his life. By focusing on his giftings, potential, and their future endeavors together at the Delsi Center, Barb offered Jake optimism that all things could be overcome, that his future was bright...Jake died filled with anticipation and hope...

This tribute is to recognize Jake's dear friendship with Zhengyan Guo (Barb) -- and to thank her for being there for our dear son supporting and encouraging him while he lived, and comforting and ministering to him when he died. Words of thanks do not express the depth of emotion and thankfulness we feel towards you...

Jacob's time here was much too short, but clearly, he made every minute of it count. We should all do as well. He will be much missed, but never forgotten.
Mary & Allan

Our plan in life never includes the death of a child before us. Jacob died so young with such a promising future ahead of him. This memorial is filled with love and provides such insight to Jacob’s passion for life. I believe he has found comfort and peace with Christ. Terry my thoughts and prayers reach out to you and the family.

I first met Jacob when I was 22 or 23 years old at a house party hosted by Tyler Kreigler. Jacob and I were brothers ever since. I used to frequently go to his apartment in Lincoln at the time; the walls were scattered with maps. We would listen to the hip-hop tracks he was trying to make on his own, mostly about Halliburton and oil politics. His strength however was in his writings; in 2006 I moved to Japan and lived there for 3 years. During this time period I would talk to Jacob for hours on the phone about his writings and his podcasts. He showed an interest in wanting to join the Air Force at the time...this didn't materialize but his desire to travel finally became fulfilled during the last years of his life. While I was in Japan, Jacob sent me numerous full length and short length stories. I have saved all my correspondence with him that I ever received, in both electronic and paper form. Currently I want to work with his family and his estate on publishing 2 of his full length works and any other shorts he may have in a compendium. While in Japan and afterwards, Jacob and I sent numerous correspondence in between ourselves, detailing our battles with alcoholism. I am an alcoholic as well and for a number of years we would compare stories either over the phone or with letters. When I heard of his death I was shocked...but I knew what took his life. I learned of his death on August 8th, 4 days after his died. I wasn't 100% sure how he died until I read this memorial page, but inside I knew the truth. The night of August 8th I went to a bar in Omaha called the Blue Chip Ultra Lounge, where my sister worked. I pounded down a number of shots, and at one point during the night I screamed "For Jacob Eckstein!" in the bar while I downed another shot. Blue Collar types around me wearing dirty landscaping T-shirts covered in dirt and sweat yelled "For Jacob Eckstein!" in the bar with me. My brother who was with me came up to me and asked me, "Who is Jacob Eckstein?" And my response was, "probably one of the greatest writers the world has produced." The night of August 8th, the night I heard of Jacob's passing, was the last night that I have ingested alcohol. For the last 2 weeks I have been sober and have turned away alcohol in all its forms. I want to try and say that the day I heard of Jacob's death is the last day of my life where alcohol will poison me. Only time will tell. Currently, I am in communication with Jacob's brother Aaron; I want to extend a formal invitation to his family to share and compare Jacob's writings so that we can get it all officially published and spread out into the public, in Jacob's name. My name is Joseph William Simmons and I love you Jacob.

I met Jacob when he was 16 years old; we remained friends for nearly 20 years. I loved him dearly and felt a special connection to him from the moment we sat together in an undergrad communications class at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. We had a lot in common and shared similar perspectives on the world-and a shared sense of humor and disdain about who was always in charge. Jacob was family--the kid brother I never had. He was always eager to win my affection while baiting me to debate the politics of something I held dear. He tried so hard to push my buttons, to get a rise, to insult for the sake of showing me that he loved me and understood how foolish his arguments were. I will forever miss that banter and his indelibly boisterous baritone. My heart goes out to you Nancy, Jessica, and Aaron, and to the family members I never met. May you be gentle with yourselves as you go forward without him. The world is less exciting now, less tender, less brilliant. I felt loved and supported and safe and content knowing that Jacob was somewhere doing his thing. May we find comfort in each other, and in knowing that he will be forever with Thomas in the beautiful Minnesota air. Such, deep, deep love to you all. Blessed be your family, and long live the stories that will carry us through.

I'm so sorry for your loss. This was such a beautifully written tribute. It sounds like he was an incredibly special man in so many ways, with a very loving and thoughtful nature. He obviously lived his life to the fullest and was very loved. My thoughts are with you.

So very sorry to read of Jacob’s passing. It is one of the greatest heartaches in life to lose a child. We remember Jacob as a child and teenager who was so active and full of life. Your family’s ministry touched the lives of many children, teens, as well as adults in Faribault with eternal value. Thank you for your years of service. Our hearts ache for all of you. May the Holy Spirit come alongside and comfort you. You are in our prayers. Much love!

I am truly sorry to hear of the passing of your son. The loss of a child is one that there are just never enough words to share for the grief you are feeling.  This is a wonderful tribute to your son and it sounds like he enjoyed life, got to experience so much and passed in the place he loved so much. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Jacob was one of the funniest people I have every met. I'm so sorry to hear about his passing. I'll miss him!

Nancy, this is such a beautiful tribute to your dear son, Jacob! You can be so proud of all that he was and did in his short life. After reading this, I felt like I knew him. He will be greatly missed by your family and all who connected with him. Do find strength in all the beautiful memories you have of Jacob. Love you. Auntie Em. ❤️❤️

It was always interesting to have conversations with Jacob in high school. He always seemed a step ahead of everybody with his wit and his knowledge. A sense of humor he did have, always was making people laugh. Makes me very happy to know that he had done so much in such little time. My heart goes out to his family and friends.

So very sorry for your loss. I knew Jacob in high school and we had a few classes together. I remember a homecoming project of some sort (don't remember all the details). I remember laughing while working with him. It didn't matter who you were he could always get you to laugh. He was such a gift to all who knew him and will be sorely missed. Thoughts and prayers are with you and all his family and friends.

Thank you so much for sharing Jacob’s story. Please know of my prayers for your family.
Most of my memories of Jacob are from algebra class with Mr. Schulte freshman year at KMHS. It was apparent then that he was an old soul, and it’s comforting to know his zeal to live fully stayed with him.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

What a wonderfully written tribute. I knew Jacob from high school. What always stuck out was his smile, his incredible acting skills and always a person passionate about others. So sad to hear of his passing. May you be strengthened by these memories, embrace his spirit and know he lives in your heart forever. Sending prayers and healing.

It has taken me a long time to figure out how to write this. Not sure what to say. I‘m still in shock. Still processing. My heart is broken.
Though not biologically connected, Jake was my son. Not my STEPSON, but my SON and I have always introduced him to people that way, especially members of my family and close friends from my old neighborhood in Washington, D.C. where he spent time living in the house where I grew up while he attended University of Maryland. Everyone embraced him as “One of Us”. 
I have always respected his talent, his creativity and his genius. We were together on a panel at an NCA conference once and we entered the room together. He was fidgety, but he wasn’t really nervous. In fact, knowing Jacob, I think he was more annoyed that he had to waste time doing the panel, than anything else. “Relax.” I said, trying to be the supportive veteran scholar. “You’re the smartest person in the room.” What I was really saying was that he was the smartest person I have ever known. And trust me I have hung around some REALLY smart people. Like, literally 'government level' smart. So as I expected, he proceeded to rule the panel with his articulate observations and qualified speculations. People in attendance who didn’t know him were like “Who IS this dude?” It was pretty funny.
Jake was not just my son, he and I were “buds”. He became a good friend of mine. We went to movies together, complained about politics together, played video games together...His skill at video gaming, (usually against me) was formidable. Many times he would let me win at Call of Duty. I could tell, because he would try and act surprised when I snuck up on him. But like many poker players he had a “tell”. If he was letting me win, he would act surprised but still talk trash, when he’d get me after. But every once in a while, very infrequently I might add, I would actually be winning on my own, without his help. I always knew when this was happening, because he would squint his eyes and get quiet…REALLY quiet. Totally determined and focused on his “A” game. But win or lose, it was always fun and I will always miss those games.
G’bye, Jake.
You are greatly loved and deeply missed, my Son.

Sending all my love to your family, Jacob. It was an honor to have known you; you will not be forgotten.

What a beautifully written tribute to your son, Nancy! He sounds so gifted, compassionate and beyond his years. Thank you for the honesty of his struggle with alcohol. Jesus has welcomed him in to heaven with open arms. He is free at last! We are praying for you and your husband, for Steve and your children. Grieve deeply, but with great Hope....from the One who is the anchor of our souls. Curt & Faye

Jacob has a gentlest, kindest, purest and most generous heart. 
Kids in language training centers here are usually easy to change places for all kinds of reasons, but all Jacob’s students had been waiting for his coming back for 7 months. 
The most impressive sentence by him he shared with us not long ago was, “Men often speak and say nothing. Women eternally sing, even when silent.” It made every woman in the center happily smile.
We love you❤️. We miss you❤️. We will remember you forever and ever.

I never got to spend much time with Jacob growing up so far away from him. But when we had family reunions and we would speak he was always so kind, gracious, and winderfully interesting to be around. It saddens me that I now will never get the chance to get to know him more or the adventures he has had in life. He is now in an amazing place free to learn, love, and be at peace.
Love
Courtney 'LeDoux' Chattin

What a determined soul Jacob was! Though I never met him, I still experience the fruits of his labor at The Farm. I see Jacob in the wellbeing of animals that I, too, love. I am grateful for his persistence to pound yet another fence stake, so Artie need not chase down so many horses in the neighborhood. Most of all, I see Jacob in his dear mother and the love they shared. None of these would be the same without his imprint on their lives. Yes, Jake, you are so dearly missed in so very many ways.

I knew Jacob in high school. His incredible intellect, wit and talent seemed innate, effortless, and obvious. He seemed to be beyond his actual years. I am so grieved to hear of his untimely death. You have honored him so well in this story; my awe for him has only increased, and so has my sadness. This is not the way it is supposed to be. You have my prayers.

Nancy, Artie and family, it is such a devastating loss. I embrace and hug you and give you my love. I read through your tribute, and I felt Jacob's soul in your expressions. He is at peace and he is with his Lord.
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Rev.21:4

Dear Nancy and Artie,
I am terribly saddened by your loss. My heart also goes out to his father, Terry, whom I have not met. At such a time as this, we can only draw comfort from the love of the Eternal God and the love of family and friends. My firstborn son, Daniel, was also born in 1983. He struggles with mental illness. Loving him, and helping him as best I can, has taught me a great deal about loving God and helping others. I wish I had met Jacob in person; I'm sure I would have learned a lot from him. May his light continue to shine in the hearts of family and friends, and may we all embrace the hope of the resurrection. I weep with you.

Jacob accomplished so many things in so little time. He touched so many lives and left memories that will be with us all.  Thanks for sharing his amazing journeys.  You are in our thoughts and prayers and Jacob is the brightest star in the sky watching over you now.

Remembering Jacobs huge smile. There was always a spark in eyes, never knew what he was up to.  He will truly be missed.

Wow, so much knowledge and wisdom for someone so young, as we get older we can only hope to leave a mighty legacy as Jacob.

Our hearts break for the breaking hearts of wakeless love and loss.
Our steps hesitate in the confusing steps of forward.
How do we position our palms or fill the cradle of our arms?
Best my children listen to your life... and better us, smile at your 'eye-browed spirit' and the brain that 'wouldn't quit'. 
You are loved , not forgotten, as you are wise to already know.
See you in heaven and through earth.