When Social Media Doesn’t Matter

My heart and condolences go out to you, your friend and everyone else who is suffering through this tragedy. Whenever I hear stories like this where friends of mine lose someone who was close to them, I feel very deeply for them.

When I was a senior in high school my father passed away from cancer in October. Five months later my mother passed away from a Lupus induced heart attack. The last words I ever said to my mom was "I love you" just prior to leaving to hang out with a few friends. We had just got done fighting and I walked out of the house without saying "I love you" but we had a rule between us. So, prior to leaving I went back inside, apologized and said "I love you". Those were the last words I ever got to say to her.

The point is not to tell my story but to let you know that I know what you and your friend, as well as their family is going through. It gets better. Time will heal the pain.

Use the memory and the thought of your loved ones as a driving force to keep killing it in '09 the only way you know how. Thanks for being awesome and so transparent, even with something so personal.

Jason my prayers go out for you, Christian, Ernie's soul, Bo's soul, and everyone involved in this tragic situation. God bless.

Thank you, Gabe. Much appreciated.

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss Jason. When my grandfather died suddenly two years ago it was a shocking reminder how quickly people you love can vanish from your life. I never have a conversation with my family now that doesn't end in "I love you" cause you never know if you'll get the chance to say it again. Thank you so much for opening up and sharing this with us, we all need a reminder sometimes.

Exactly. Thank you, Kara.

Jason, my heart goes out to you and to your friends and their families. If there's anything I can do beyond praying for all please don't hesitate to call on me.

Thanks you, Michael. I appreciate the kindness.

J- Hugs and prayers, man.

You're absolutely right about what really matters. But here is the irony of social media. We work literally 12 feet from each other, and until I saw this, I didn't know about your loss or your friend Christian's loss. And unless you read my blog or tweets, you don't know about the sad anniversary I dealt with earlier this week. I didn't mention it to anyone "in the real world'--but my friends in social media reached out to me much as yours have here.

I don't know why it's easier to share this stuff in this way. But it is. Maybe it's that it gives you time to recover your composure--or the privacy to lose it for a minute, if you need to.

It's hard to pour emotions out face-to-face. Always awkward. But we're both here for each other, which is more than a lot have. I'm glad you're 12 feet away.

I too am so very sorry, Jason. I admire how brave you are to share these deeply personal sentiments with us. Thank you for doing so, and I will keep all involved in my thoughts that you all can find the strength you need to cope with such a terrible situation.

Thanks Rebeca. I'm not really the one who needs strength, but I appreciate the sentiment nonetheless. Thank you.

Sorry Jason

Nina, my family's 100 year old mentor died last week.

She was my loving constancy and guide through childhood, then as a young man, beyond into middle age and .... She loved my my children too even when they were men.

100 years and just 7 years ... prayers went from my heart forever for Nina, and now too for Christian.

Jonathan

How fortunate she and all of you were for those 100 years. And though it seems too little, I'm sure lots of people will cherish Beau's 7 years. But thank you so much for the thoughts and for sharing.

Really sorry for your loss. I've been reading your blog for some time now and enjoyed your hard work and insights. All the best.

Thank you for the reading and the kind words, PJ. I appreciate you more than you know.

It never matters as much as a life. But I must say Jason I'm glad to call you friend and perhaps your message today to those of us that know you and you know is brought today by social media and keeps our eyes on the prize. My heart hurts for those dealing with this. I'm going to hug kids extra for this. I miss them now as i sit in Miami wanting to hold them now. Social Media doesn't matter but you do my friend.

Thanks, Jim. I'm honored to call you a friend as well. Now get home and hug those kids.

Jason:
My family's thoughts and prayers are with you and your friend's family.
-kp.

Thank you, Keith. They need it more than me and I'm honored you're thinking of them.

Jason, thank you for this post. I can tell how hard it was for you to share. I appreciate your openness and send prayers to the family. I can't imagine the pain they will go through this season. Thank you for the reminder of the importance of relationships in our everyday lives. People matter.

How true, Vedo. Thank you for saying all that. Appreciated muchly.

Sorry to hear of this. Condolences all around :(

Thank you, sir.

Jason, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. What an extremely difficult thing for your friend. My friend's 11 year old daughter passed away early last week and it is heartbreaking for the family. You are right, at a time like this social media doesn't matter -- at all. But because of it, you have become a friend to many and we are here for you now. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.

That's the silver lining for me Beth. Social media has led to real friendships and relationships. And I'm feeling the love today as many have reached out here and privately. Thank you for being one of those friends. My thoughts and prayers to your friend as well.

Jason, you are very, very correct. I am sorry to hear about the loss of your friends and for their families, my heart goes out.

All too often, we as social media nuts get so wrapped up in our passion for communicating online that we have a hard time stepping back into the real world, setting our laptops and mobile devices aside, and being grateful for the ones that really, truly matter.

Let this video remind us all that the internet will be there tomorrow, that our friends online can wait to hear about that cool link that you found, and that it's not too much for us to give our undivided attention to those at home.

Thanks for sharing, Jason.

Hi Nicki, Happy New Year!

Hi Jason, Well said. It is a lesson for us to keep things in balance.

Woody

Amen, Nicki. And thank you for everything ... all you do and all you are. You rock.

Big virtual hug to you. Thanks for sharing your feelings, and hope you're doing OK.

And a big hug back, Todd. Thanks, man. I'm fine. Just hope their families are. Appreciate you chiming in, my friend.

My heart goes out to your friend's loss and my blessings to you, Jason.

Thank you, Danny. Much appreciated.

I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your friend, and also your friend's child. Thank you for reminding us how important it is to focus on what really matters. The families of those lost, as well as those who loved them, will be in my prayers.

No, thank you.

Oh, Jason. I am so sorry for your loss, and for Christian's. A dear friend of mine passed away in a car accident almost two years ago, and dealing with such an unexpected and painful loss is always so heartwrenching and difficult. Thanks for your heartfelt reminder of the fragility of life and what really matters. My heart goes out to you all.

Thanks for saying so Christa. I'm sorry you had to go through the friend passing.

So sorry... What a horrible situation.

I am to, Linda. Thanks for commenting.

My heart goes out to you and your friend. Thanks for sharing so much of who you are with us. You're a wonderful person and I feel really lucky to be in your orbit.

It's me who is lucky, Shannon. I'm not the one who needs thoughts and prayers, but so many people have reached out, including you. Thank you for being in mine.