As I sit here, I wonder why I'm doing this. Part of me wants to tell the story of my wonderful son, Jared. Another part of me wonders if I'm about to venture where I'm most vulnerable. It can be most uncomfortable to write about yourself. It can be most painful to visit the hurts of yesterday.
In the book, "Epic", John Eldredge describes our lives as a story. We each have a story. We each communicate our story to others. We tell the stories of others. We live the story that God has given us each and every day. My son Jared's story on this earth was short. He lived his story here for almost fourteen years. This blog will be my attempt to share parts of his story and how it impacted me and those that knew him. Feel free to share this blog and Jared's story with others.
Jared Michael Sangster... born May 1988 on Mother's Day. Jared Michael Sangster... died April 2002, a Wednesday afternoon.
Jared was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in May of 2001. After surgeries, chemo and radiation, the tumor was still there. The doctors decided the next step would be a stem cell transplant. Starting tomorrow I'm going to post excerpts from the journal I kept ten years ago during the last days of Jared's story on earth. My plan is to post my journal entry for each day. I started the journal on February 24, 2002 so will double up a few days until I catch up. As we start this journey, know that my heart still aches for my son. I still have sad times but I can rejoice because Jared is in heaven. He continued in what he learned and became convinced of from infancy. He chose God's plan (story) for his life and he already knows what we will someday... THE BEST IS YET TO COME.
"You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings - what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and imposters will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:10-17
Lisa thanks for sharing Jareds story with everyone. He is a much loved little man. In his short little life he made a mark on so many people'I know he did on me and his PaPaw. He will all ways be missed and we loved him very much. The times that you and Jared came by here on the way to Birmingham meant so much to us.A little one on one time together meant a lot.We love you very much and without a doubt you are GODS GIRL. ALWAYS MOM AND DAD.
ReplyDeleteLisa your great faith and strength is such an encouragement! Revelation 12:11 we are over-comers by the BLOOD OF THE LAMB AND THE WORD OF OUR TESTIMONY! Thank you for sharing! Kelly
ReplyDeleteI'm really touched by this. This will help others have hope. So inspiring. A beautiful way to remember your son. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Lisa,
ReplyDeleteI stumbled on this blog today during an emotional moment. I recently found out that I was pregnant and my due date is May 10. Of course this made me think of Jared. I was in classes with Jared. He played the saxaphone and I played trombone. We sat by each other and I had a crush on him. When he was diagnosed, we prayed for him constantly. I remember the entire band praying when the end was near. I found out about his passing from a mutual friend when I got home from church. As a middle schooler, I thought only old people died...not my friend. Jared was so special to me. I was so confused by what happened to him. And hearing his words at the funeral will never leave me. No Fear became part of my goal of how to live my life. I constantly think about the silly conversations that we used to have in band and all of the things
that he didn't get to do. To this day I cannot listen to the song He's my son without
tears. I will always hold his memory with me and his witness will always be part of my testimony. Thank you for sharing his story!