It seems like only yesterday we were freshmen, in the big new high school, taking on a whole new chapter of our lives…..

2012 has been a rough year. The loss of Matthew, financial woos, life stressors, injury, and now the news that a life long friend is missing – I just can’t seem to figure out why these things happen….

On Sunday, someone I grew up with – Jon – went to high school with, had my first detention EVER with (also my second… we just never could stay out of trouble in Mr. Ball’s class…) went Kayaking in Allegheny National Forest on Sunday afternoon when his boat flipped in the current…. A friend that was with him jumped in after him but the current had already taken him under too far. He has been missing ever since.

“Time or distance can not touch a friendship of the heart”

The last several days the entire county has gotten together to search for this loving man to no avail. An updated article on the website of the local newspaper back home, has declared the loss of hope. Completely shattering the hearts of hundreds of lives… While they are still searching for him – they suspect at this point it’s just to discover the body, that they are pretty sure he is deceased…

We suspected this. But to have it written in clear print without any proof. To have no way of knowing whether or not he’s out there struggling, afraid, alone….

It’s heart breaking. Jon was a stand up guy. He was on the sports teams, but was never judge mental of ANYONE and had friends in every clique. He was always that guy holding the door for everyone, no questions asked, never expecting a thank you. He touched the lives of so many people. People who barely knew him, spoke to him only a few times were touched by his kindness and love. He had a love for LIFE that was unbelievable. WE WERE JUST ALL TOGETHER FOR DRINKS AS IF NO TIME HAD PASSED LAST TIME I WAS HOME!

I wish I was home helping everyone search. I wish I was home to give all of my friends a big hug. I wish I could have spent more time with Jon after high school ended. I wish I could prevent his sister from feeling the pain I know all too well. I wish I wish I wish.

If there is ONE thing I will walk away from 2012 with – it’s that now, I appreciate every soul that has ever touched my heart & impacted my life. Big or small. Near or far. Whether we’re friends now, enemies, or complete strangers.

Bloggers, readers, friends, family.. I ask you all for your prayers. Or whatever you believe in. Positive thoughts, Vibes, well wishes.. whatever it is you do, please pray that Jon comes home. Please pray that his family get the closure they deserve.

AND JAMESTOWN STOP TAKING THE LIVES OF SO MANY INCREDIBLE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO DON’T DESERVE IT. Stop breaking my heart over & over again.

JHS Class of 2006…Never, EVER stop praying