September 1, 2025: The Spark Within

Even in the hospital, Jake was a happy kid.

At 8yrs old, a scary bike crash left him with a deep gash on his chin that needed stitches. I rushed him to the ER, my heart pounding, but Jake grinned through the whole ordeal. The doctor finally shook his head and said, “I’ve never seen a kid this brave before.”

That’s Jake. No matter what he does, it’s never halfway.

Joy seems to propel him, and since the start, he’s always met life with wide eyes and full energy. I can still picture him almost skipping down the sidewalk because walking wasn’t fast enough for his excitement about each day.

Whether summer vacations, swim team, soccer, Halloween trick-or-treating, hanging up Christmas lights, or doing house projects — he would dive into them all with the same spark.

As a preteen, he once built a social media following of 30,000 people based on one of his favorite shows. Many times I’d pull into the driveway after work to find the lawn mowed and edged or the porch pressure washed, all done without a word. Those surprises carried his signature generosity.

But more than his energy or work ethic, what sets him apart is empathy. He listens deeply and offers comfort freely, finding ways to make others feel less alone.

Today, September 1st, is his birthday. And somehow that skipping kid is now grown up, still bringing light and making a difference wherever he goes.

Happy Birthday, Jake! Your joy inspires me.