Dear Laura, Rick and Andrew, we can't believe it's been 10 years since Jason's heavenly homecoming. Your loving tributes, messages and donations keep his memory vibrant and life-giving. That's just the kind of person he was--always a joy and thinking of others. Thank you for reminding us, yet again, was a gift he was and is in our lives. Blessings and prayers, The Rhoad Family

I can’t believe it’s been 10 years. The other day I found a file in my computer with a bunch of pictures of you. I remembered each one of them as it was yesterday. Thank you Jason, you taught me so much at such a young age and I will cherish your memory forever .

Thinking of you today J. (Jason) April 12, 2023 - you'd be 34 today.

It's an odd thing for a heart to feel full and shattered at the same time. To breathe deeply of God's goodness and to feel like the wind has been knocked out of you. But such is the journey of grief. I love you bud. I miss you. I'm first in line for hugs! LOVE YOU! Mom

February 18, 2023

WOW!

It’s been 9 years! In most circumstances doing something (hopefully well) for 9 years would feel like an accomplishment – but today, surviving 9 years without my son, Jason, in many ways still feels like a gut punch.

I know I have only gotten this far by the grace and goodness of God. It often overwhelms me. God has sent me precious love notes to remind me He is right there with me. He has used the people in my life to carry me when needed, sit with me when walking was too much, cry with me, encourage me, listen to the things I said, and even to the things I didn’t say… They have held my anger. my tears, and my joys along the way. There has been plenty of all 3!

I believe the survival of anything is not a journey best walked alone. I am not alone I am richly blessed.

Tomorrow we will sing Homecoming (Bethel Music) in Church – it speaks to me about the “Homecoming” in heaven that is only possible because Christ died on the cross. When I hear my older son Andrew sing the lead, my soul is stirred. When I sing along, I am moved to tears. The lyrics remind me of who and what I have “lost” and the immense JOY of the Homecoming I long for.

[I see] Roses in bloom pushed up from the embers
Rivers of tears flow from good times remembered
Families are singing and dancing and laughing
The Father is welcoming
This is our homecoming

Heaven joins in with a glorious sound
And the great cloud of witnesses all gather 'round
'Cause the ones that were lost are finally found
The Father is welcoming
This is our homecoming!

I know God has more for me to do as I wait for this Homecoming. I am ready and excited about it all. But today, I will sit in my grief and remember my son.
Tomorrow, I will sing about a Homecoming that holds the sadness, the joy, and the promise of what is to come.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TM-L-L7OD_A 

(Homecoming)

RIP Jason, it’s been 8 years and my life has changed so much! I always remember Andros Bible Camp days and all the ways I learned myself and all the ways I learned from you and saw how much your family especially your mom loved you. I’ll always remember you and my old life and I’ll always wish you could see my new one. RIP Jason, and boy could my band use a drummer like you ❤️

Thinking about Jason today! Every time I hear a Nickel Creek song, I think back to the fun times we shared back in High School. All the best to the family!

We remember Jason’s smile and the joy he brought to others. Laura, your tribute is beautiful and gives us all hope as each day, we all journey closer to being reunited with our loved ones who await us and cheer us on toward our heavenly home. Our prayers for God’s comfort and peace for your family continue. Blessings, The Rhoad Family

It’s been 7 years since I last…
hugged my son and said, “I love you bud!”. Seven years since I last heard him say, “I love you too mom”
On February 18, 2014 at about 4:30pm, my heart shattered. (Surely everyone must have heard the huge crrraaaaccckkk!)
In that moment, on that first day, in that first week, that first month and year I could barely hold on until my next breath.
But God has been good, and God has been faithful, and even on the darkest of days God was and is enough. And now it is 7 years since….
As I sit here in the dark and quiet of the early morning, with a fire blazing and tears rolling down my cheeks, my thoughts and feelings conflict and collide: “Is he really ok? …I feel a deep peace that passes all understanding…would he like the person I’ve become… I’m grateful for friends who leave red balloons…it doesn’t hurt like it used to… I ache to hug him…can I get through another day…I miss his constant drumming…does he know how much I love him?”…
Lately as I have been reading through the Old and New Testaments, the number 7 has stood out to me. Six days of work and rest on the seventh. Six years of working the fields and the field rests on the seventh. The leper bathed 7 times in the Jordan and he was healed. Forgive each other seventy times seven. Seven statements from the cross….
Something feels different in this 7th year. Perhaps God is up to something: a deeper healing in me, a greater peace…an even stronger dependence on the one who has sustained me through it all.
As I considered all of this, it occurred to me that I have spent 7 years thinking that as time moved on, I was somehow moving farther away from Jason. The reality is time does go on, and people do move on and there is a certain sadness in the necessity of that. But this week, I suddenly had the thought, “I am not seven years farther from him, I am actually seven years closer!” That thought is filled with hope and excitement!
I know that in the end God will make all things new, and I will see my son again. I will hug him and hear his laughter.
Today I am 7 years closer to seeing Jason again. I love you bud!

Forever Missed reminded me today is the 7th anniversary of Jason's passing. It caused me to pause with sadness and recall how much Jason is missed, but never forgotten. 

Happy birthday Jason!

My goodness,
My heart...what a day to celebrate Jason. Forever Missed. Love to Laura, Rick, Andrew, Amy and others. 

Hi everyone - I'm not very good about posting here or on social media in general, but if you took the time to come to this page, today, the 6th anniversary of Jason's passing (or even after this day), I want you to know I cherish your spirit. I come back to this page along with my personal journal in which I free-write on the annual occasion of Jason's passing, to remind myself of the incredible memories and inspiration Jason brought to us every day. It is really hard to think about how much time has passed since losing Jason. It is even harder to think about how 'normal' life is now without him around. It is sometimes a guilty feeling. But days like today and seeing the posts come in from the loved ones who take the time on this day to reflect and share, makes me feel connected again. Love and Peace to all touched by Jason's spirit <3

What a beautiful post Laura.

Jason is a fabulous musician and I loved working on the drums with him. I remember going through some of his marching band music here at the house. It's so clear how much love he has around him and how much he meant to so many.

February 18, 2020 - The things I would have said:
6 years ago, on February 17, 2014 I saw you alive for the last time. You were in our dining room telling me - telling us - how much you loved the travel you were doing for your new job, and how much you had enjoyed your time with the California family. It was a great conversation; all was right in our worlds and we were smiling. Our relationship had shifted – you were an adult and had even asked our advice on a few things – I was thrilled!
I am so glad I got to hug you and tell you I loved you before you walked out the door. It’s one of my most precious and most difficult memories. But there are some things I would have said to you if I had known I’d never see you again: 
Your smile lights up my heart
I love hearing you laugh
God has gifted you with an ability to relate to people, all people, and make them feel important, and special, and included
I LOVE hearing you play the drums
I love watching you sing
I wish we’d sung a song together – just the 2 of us
I wish we’d sung a song together – you, me and Andrew
I miss seeing your shoes in the entryway
Our summer vacation to the Shenandoah Valley and to Asheville North Carolina will always be among my favorite memories
April 1 will be among my favorite days because of you. I love that you were thrilled when I pranked you!
I’m glad you liked your Christmas pajamas!
Things I think about now that you’re with Jesus: (some are very hard thoughts)
I miss you more than words can say
Do you know how much I love you?
God has loved us well through our framily and friends
Were you in pain?
Did you call out for me?
I can’t think about Saving Mr. Banks (2013) and not feel your head on my shoulder as you fought to stay awake Christmas morning
Christmas 2013 and January 1, 2014 will be among my favorite mommy memories
Nickel Creek will always make me think of you – especially When You Come Back Down
The song For Good from Wicked will be indelibly etched in my heart. I will think of you and cry every time I hear it
Cornerstone…
In Christ Alone…
I wish you could see me now. I think you’d like the person I am becoming
I miss your booming laughter and your sense of humor
People are hearing the gospel because God is using the “hard” of your death to reach people
Are you proud of me?
You would love Andrew’s wife Amy (and her family). I wish they had met you
I’d give anything for one more hug – or 2 or three.
I can’t wait to see you again
I love you bud! I love you bud! I love you bud!

Thinking of Jason on the anniversary of his passing and all he meant to so many.

I am working on a memory book for Aunt Carol. As I go through the family pictures that we hope will help her to remember us and know how much she is loved by so many, I keep seeing your smiling face. I wish I had pictures to add of a wedding, possibly children of yours. But God had a different plan for you. I hope you know how much you are still loved and how much we all miss you every day. Love, Aunt Carol 2

I was remembering Jason and you, his family today. It has been a sad day, reflecting on the loss of many we love. But I still see God 's mercy. Laura, I found myself looking for The letter J today too, thinking of you. When with Ann today , I saw a smile on her face from other friends who secretly left tribute drumsticks, hearts and smiling monkeys at their door. I think of the joy of celebrating Andrew and Amy's wedding too. I am will always be thankful for your family. May God' s peace renew you all.

We miss you Jason. You would love playing and joking around with all your little cousins. I know they would love you as much as the rest of us do. I pray that your mom, dad and Andrew all know that they are surrounded by people who love you and them. That we will always keep you alive in our hearts. That we hold them in our hearts each and every day, but especially on those days that are painful reminders of when you left us to join Jesus in heaven.

I will be preaching in a prison in a few hours - I'll talk about Jason there. He would have loved meeting the men in there. The guys inside will be praying for us all ... In the next few months, I will speak in Colorado, Florida, Pennsylvania, Germany, and many other places. Pretty much everywhere I go, I talk about Jason. On the day he woke up in heaven, something woke up in me. I cried out to God in a visceral place, "Could the church please get serious about the Great Commission?!" Jesus called us to make disciples of all nations. He also said when the Gospel of his kingdom is preached to every people group, then He will return. (Mt. 28:18-20, and Mt. 24:14). Peter said we can look forward to his return and speed its coming. (2 Peter 3:11-12) So, everywhere I go, I talk about these things ... because we want to see Jesus ... and because we can't wait until the day we are with Jason again. Will all the telemarketers be lined up near him in heaven with baseball bats?? I don't know, but I can't wait to find out. To all who love Jason, our prayers are with you this day, tomorrow, and always.

Talented guy, great student, thoughtful and compassionate young man.

February 18, 2018 - 4 years later and God is still at work reminding us of His love and care for us. Often through my J's in the sky, or leaves and branches... often through notes, hugs, balloons and monkeys from friends...And sometimes in ways we never imagined...

I was reading a blog this weekend which lead me to a different blog...you know how it goes, you just keep clicking and reading.. When I was finished reading, this idea popped into my head - a way to acknowledge February 18, 2014, honor Jason, and do something positive with that day...So I did some searching on the Compassion International website and here's what's up - 4 years later...

Rick and I have decided to sponsor a little boy from Uganda through Compassion International.
His birthday - February 18, 2014.
His name: Blessed Joy.
It seemed fitting that God would provide Blessed Joy on a difficult day


I love you and miss you J!

Jason - I will never forget where I was and the shock of getting the news that you were gone. I had just seen you a couple days before. Little did I know that this was the beginning of a year that would be filled with grief of losing you. It would be a year of medical issues for Alan. And it would also be a year full of incredible joy in the birth of three new babies - cousins sadly you would never meet. God showed himself to me in more ways than I can count. Four years have passed. Alan's health has stabilized. Those three babies will all turn 4 this year. My faith has continued to grow. But you are still gone. Our family will never be the same. The hole in our hearts will always be there. But you continue to show yourself in small ways. You let us know you're still with us. Yes, you are gone, but you are not forgotten. Love, Aunt Carol

Dear Laura, Rick and Andrew.
I am remembering Jason with you today and the music and fun he brought to so many. I thank God for him and you, his dear family. I am praying for a renewal of God’s comfort and presence with you. You are precious to me and my family. I am sure the child you sponsored this year will be also blessed! God’s grace continues to overflow.

Three years ago today was a shocking and incredibly sad day. We miss you Jason.

I still see you up there on stage with Andrew, your mom and dad when they are worshiping with all of us at BCC. Hope heaven is all we imagine it to be:) We will all see you soon. Hugs!

Jason I miss hearing you play guitar and the way you'd laugh at funny things. I hope it's warm up there because I know how much you loved the sun.
I'll remember you always
- love Tica

Dear Laura, Rick and Andrew, Our prayers are with you as you so lovingly celebrate Jason's life and legacy. Thank you for shining Jesus' and Jason's light! Blessings, The Rhoad Family

J - I was honored to preach at Son of David congregation today ... They prayed the ancient Jewish prayer (Kaddish) for those who are mourning, and asked anyone to stand who was missing someone today. It took me about a nanosecond to jump to my feet as I thought of you and your Mom, Dad, and Andrew. The prayer is full of hope as it reminds of the goodness of God. Today, we are three years closer to when we see you again. Hope the telemarketers are chasing you past the pearly gates laughing all the way.

I can't believe it has been three years. I remember your smiling face, your excitement about what was going on in your life as we had brunch together at Grandma's house. Little did I know that as we made plans to see you again very soon, that would be the last time I'd see you. I think of you often, especially when I see an amazing percussion video. My heart goes out to your mom, dad and Andrew. May they find comfort in knowing how much you are loved and missed by so many. That you continue to make a difference in people's lives, just in a different way. Love- Aunt Carol

Thinking of you Laura & Rick! ((((HUGS)))) may God continue to bless you every minute.

A random memory came to my mind the other day about a night when Jason had accidentally locked his keys inside his car at the Baskin Robbins down the street from RHS. Took a group of six of us 20 minutes of trying to jimmy locks and crawling around looking for a spare key or another way in to realize that the sunroof was open just enough to fit a hand in. Jason reached in flipped the switch and somehow shimmied head first down into the car through the sunroof. By the end of it we were all laughing hysterically. If Jason was there, you were always in store for a fun night with great friends and plenty of laughter.

I was Jason's professor in Deaf Studies at Towson, and I will never forget him. He was a warm, caring soul who was passionate about the Deaf community. I'm so thrilled to see that donations in his memory will go to two wonderful causes representing his interests. Sending strength and love to his family and friends on the anniversary of his passing.

Jason I appreciate life everyday as you come to mind
- Tica Gaitor
Bahamas

Happy birthday J!

We miss you so much - but the impact of your life resounds in those you love. We all can't wait til we see you again.

I hope the flat spot on the side of your head is all fixed now. ;-)
Kevin

Remembering you on your birthday, Jason <3, and always.

Hugs to your mom & dad! I can't imagine the strength & faith they have to face each day missing you! I'm sure there's a big party in heaven & you're the life of the party. :)  Til we join you & our creator one day.....happy birthday jason!

Dear Jason,
We all miss you and there is not a church service where I don't think of you. If you would use the Lord's power to give your mom, dad and Andrew special hugs and love to lift them up, that would be great. As you would expect, they are carrying on as strong disciples in Christ but they hurt every day from missing you. But not without hope...we are Bethany strong:)

I will never hear the song 'Cornerstone' & not think of Jason! His memorial service was beautiful & uplifting as was his life. Hugs to Laura Rick & Andrew. Such a big loss.......such a big life he lived.  God bless.

Dearest Jason,
This morning, as it happened, you were in my waking thoughts!!! You must have been tapping me on the shoulder. I want to thank you for leaving that sweet video of yourself signing your desire to work with Deaf prisoners. It really touched me and I will never forget it. I know it will make you and your family happy that because of this you will be remembered in our community -- you'll see!!
Thinking of you, missing you, and sending a hug. 
Love,  Gina

In loving memory of you, Jason. You are in my thoughts quite a bit, little big guy. You, your presence, your wit, your smile ... still very much missed.

Dear Jason,

It has been a year since we lost you. I think about you often and remember the strong presence you were in our family. I think about how losing you has affected my brothers. I think about how losing you has affected me. All I know is that we are all blessed for having you in our lives.

Jason, a few months ago I cried because I saw a beautiful article about a restaurant in Canada who employees only deaf servers, and I couldn't physically share it with you. They use menus that teach hearing people to sign their order and the servers help them to learn signs. I thought that this was such a wonderful business! We need these in the U.S.

A few months after that my family lined up their LLBean moccasins under the Christmas tree in remembrance of you and the necessity of these shoe/slipper combo in our family. We all miss you dearly.

Thank you for sharing your love and happiness with me and my family. You will always be in our hearts.

Danielle

Dear Jason,


Today is December 18, 2014, which marks ten months since you left us. It also means that it is six days until Christmas Eve, which means one thing- STEW. I so badly want to text you the countdown daily, I want to see your emojis back of stew, I want you to say how excited you are, I want you to tell the infamous Christmas Eve story, which you bring up every year… But I can’t text you and you won’t be there to bring up the story.

Jason, I’m mad at you because you went ahead of us. Why did you have to do that? There is so much stew to be eaten.

I have struggled to write this letter, because I don’t want to say goodbye. In fact, I have refused to finish this letter, until now. So I am sorry that it is long overdue, but cut me some slack, you were always late for church.

I refused to finish this letter because it symbolized that you were actually gone and meant that I had nothing left to hold onto to keep you alive. I know it sounds silly, but it’s true. Though, I have finished this letter, I do not accept your death. I do not accept your death because death has no hold over you - Christ defeated the grave and so one day we will laugh together over a bowl of Christmas Eve Stew and celebrate Jesus’s birth and victory.

I write this letter with tears streaming down my face, like the Coldplay song, and I want you to know that I love you. I miss you more than words can say. But I am not without hope and look forward to the day when Jesus returns and we will be reunited. I love you Robin, Jay, Older Brother, Mr. Taylor Swift (haha remember that time you wanted to marry her…. you were always too good for her), CareBear (as Bryden liked to call you), and Jason Nicholas Mastroianni-McGhee.

Love,

Kelsey- your little sister

P.S. I feel I must be honest with you. You will probably learn anyways if you are looking down on us and hear our conversations. There might have been a time when I was in elementary/middle school when I had a crush on you. Don’t worry I got over it quickly and only ever saw you as a brother… But I cannot deny that it happened. Ask Bryden if you don’t believe me.

Dearest Jason, it is August 18, 2014 – 6 months since you left us. Here’s what’s on my mind:

I have often heard people say that God never gives us more than we can handle. I must disagree. I think we are given things that ARE too hard for us to handle alone for the simple reason that we were never meant to go through this life alone. How does one “handle” the death of a son (or anyone) alone?

On February 18, as I sat in my principal’s office waiting for the detectives who needed to talk to me, I cried out, “Lord, catch my heart”. I made a couple of phone calls and sent a text message, barely able to get out the words, “SOS, please pray! Detectives from Baltimore are on their way to see me. This can’t be good!” And while I was the only one sitting in that office for quite some time, I was never alone. Friends were lifting up prayers even as Rick and dear friends were driving to get to that office… driving to get to me. 

I heard the news that you, my dear Jason, had died before anyone could get to my school. Yet I still wasn't alone. In that instant, as my heart shattered, God was already providing this friend to hold this piece over here and that friend to hold that little piece. Each piece gently held and lovingly tended to by family and friends as God held and holds us all because quite honestly this is just too much to hold and “handle” alone.

I still have days when I am very angry, very sad and very shattered. (Contrary to science, it really is possible to walk around with your heart not working and when the pain is so bad the air is literally sucked out of you.) Yet God in His love and mercy hasn't left me to handle this alone. I love you bud!

Dear Jason,

Your birthday was just this past weekend, and I have to say, Saturday was one of the most beautiful days of weather that we've had so far this year. The sun was out and it warmed us under the blue skies as we gathered throughout the day at your parent's house to be together and remember you. It would only have been more perfect with you there to blow out candles or release balloons. But then again, I know you were there. Right as we released our balloons, a gust of wind took them straight into the trees. We all had a laugh and a few small tears as we watched the balloons drift and get stuck in the trees. When each one finally wiggled it's way out one at a time and went on to fly as high as they could toward the Heavens, we cheered. Those were cheers in your honor, cheers for a wonderful laughter and love filled life. Cheers that we know where you are, and Who you are with. We'll be here, missing and remembering you...until we meet again.

Happy Birthday Jason - beautiful spring day and a pleasure to spend some time with you parents recalling and celebrating your life's accomplishments.

A Party for Jason

When: Saturday, April 12, 2:00pm - 6:00pm

Where: The Mastroianni Home, 9407 Mayflower Ct., Laurel, MD 20723

Please join us as we gather Jason Mastroianni’s family and friends to remember him on his 25th birthday.

We will provide snacks, soft drinks, beer and wine. Feel free to bring snacks or drinks to share if you wish.

Drop in when you can and enjoy this time to remember and celebrate Jason's life, love and laughter.

All who knew and loved Jason are welcome to stop by, so you're welcome to pass this invitation along.

We look forward to meeting some of you for the first time.

RSVP: rmastroianni@comcast.net or
or (301) 906-0015 by Thurs. Apr. 10th if possible.

I met Jason just a few months ago at our training class for work (LRA Worldwide). Although I did not get to know him well, I'm glad we were able to have a few whiskeys and a few laughs together. He is loved by many and will be missed.

Dear Laura, Rick and Andrew, We are holding you close in prayer right now. You are not alone in your grief as so many family and friends loved your son and brother. Brendan was deeply sorry that he could not attend yesterday's service as he is out of the country but he would have loved to have been there for you. We first met Jason through RHS's marching band and, then, as he and Brendan became friends, he was often at our home for birthday and graduation parties. Jason and Brendan shared similar musical interests and we once took them to see a concert at Rams Head Live in Annapolis. I can't remember the artist but he signed their t-shirts! He also helped Brendan pick out a computer when he worked at Best Buy. He was a warm, loving and cheerful person--the kind that Jesus uses to draw others to Himself. God has a special place in heaven for him just as all of us hold a special place for Jason in our hearts. May your strong faith and the love of family and friends comfort you, knowing that you will be reunited for all eternity. Your friends in Christ, John, Debbie and Brendan Rhoad

I wanted to share my remembrance speech from the service yesterday in case it was a little bit hard to make out. A huge thank you to Rick, Laura, & Andrew for the opportunity to share with everyone a little bit of what Jason meant to me and all of our friends from high school. The service yesterday was absolutely perfect and I know Jason loved it.

"Hi. My name is Jake Sherry. I first met Jason in 2005 in our sophomore year of High School. One of my very first memories of befriending Jason happened one of the first nights he came over to my house. Jason had recently acquired a new MacBook and as we all know, Jason loved having the latest and greatest technology especially when it meant giving all his money to Steve Jobs. Now, the first thing anyone does when they first use a Mac is take a bunch of crazy pictures in the photo booth program using all the funky filters. Matt Donnelly, Jason, and I stayed up all night taking hundreds of photos until we couldn’t breathe anymore. We were laughing so hard after capturing every single picture that I remember having to leave the room multiple times just to keep from passing out. It seems really juvenile and cheesy but I have never laughed that hard in my entire life. There have been multiple times when Jason made me laugh harder than anyone has ever been able to make me laugh. That’s the Jason I will always remember. He had such wit and grace with his humor to get anyone in the room to laugh. He would always find the ‘funny’ in any situation. Through various nights like these, Jason grew to be one of my absolute best friends in life.


Jason and I had such a close relationship that we didn’t hesitate to tell each other how much we meant to one another. This was a trait that I believe Jason passed on to me early on; the ability to step back from situations and cherish the beauty in them. We constantly had conversations about the things we valued in life. We regularly reminisced on our high school days and the incredible peers who surrounded us. We would talk about how great it was that 5 years after high school graduation we still kept in touch with a great group of friends who genuinely love and care for each other. We would also discuss how fortunate we were to have such a phenomenal music department, with directors and teachers who we quickly began calling our ‘friends.’ We had such a unique and positive high school experience and he never wanted to take that for granted. These traits he instilled in me cause me to be thankful everyday. I am extremely fortunate and grateful to have had someone like him in my life. He was someone I could always turn to for absolutely anything. I know I speak for everyone when I say that he will be beyond missed. But I know when I need to turn to him he will always be listening with a big smile on his face."

I didn't know Jason well since he graduated before my son, Kyle, entered RHS, but Jason's legend lives on at RHS Music Department.  My son, Kyle Pompei (graduated 2012) and I would like to let you know that Kyle and I are holding your family up in prayer through this difficult time.