This, is my 100th post, and i am excited to share what has been laying on my heart in the past few weeks.
Some of you i told, that this post was going to be special, because of an event coming up..... but once again, God has decided to mess up my plans, hopefully for something better in store. So this post isn't going to be like my first intentions, but it's still going to be special, because it's about someone i care about who returned home to Our Father, about a week ago.
"It's not Metro Beach Ladies!", "You can't shine if you're not on time!" just two of Mr. Jackson's many cheesy morning kickoffs that will still be missed so much. I remember when i first heard this, i thought it was the cheesiest thing ever, but i grew to wait for them every morning.
Things i considered cheesy, are now things that not only i, but Crusader Nation will miss as-well.
He was only my principal for 1 year, but I've known him for the past five. My youngest sister, Sabrina, who is now 21, attended my high school her sophomore year. But her sophomore year was different than everyone Else's, because she was carrying Noah, my 4 year old nephew. I remember the day vividly we (my dad, sister and I) walked into his office, it was a few weeks before school started. I was nervous at what his expression would be when he saw my sister and her hard to hide bowling ball sized stomach. I was nervous that he would react like every other adult, and give her "the talk" on how she really messed up.....
But not Mr. Jackson. From the minute he walked in until the minute we left, he had a smile on his face. He was the first adult that didn't give her bad looks or call her names, and although i wasn't happy about the pregnancy, it hurt to see someone you love go through stuff like that. Mr. Jackson was one of the first people who made my sister feel comfortable in her own skin, and my sister has adored him ever since.
A few months after that meeting, my sister ended up dropping out due to the birth of her child. She never went back, but she still talked to Mr. Jackson. About a year after that, i joined Cagers Basketball, with my one of my good friends Chrissy. We occasionally had games at North, and every time we were there, i always saw Mr. Jackson. He would always ask me how my dad sister and nephew were doing and then we would talk about school, and how in just a few years i would be at his school. I remember one game, we were versing the first place team, and the game started off good, we were leading when out of no where, the other teams center made a 3 point shot, getting one point ahead. After halftime, Mr. Jackson, appeared in the bleachers. He watched us, and cheered on my team. At the end of the game, he came up to me, with his famous thumbs up pose and said, "great game kid!" Even though we played THE WORST game of the season.
Cagers soon ended, so i didn't spend much time at the High School, but i decided to continue on with hockey. Which i played every morning at my middle school. One morning, it was 6 am, i was in the gym at my middle school, shooting around, getting ready for our championship game a little later, when in walks Mr. Jackson. He watched my team, and i, defeat the other team with a score of 32 to 12. He was there during the whole game, giving me advice on breaks and cheering once again. Mr. Jackson, seemed to always care about how my family and i were doing.
When it came to high-school, i was nervous. I mean what kid wouldn't be? But one thing that made it so much easier, was the fact that when i walked into the school, the first thing i saw was Mr. Jackson with a huge smile plastered on his face, greeting me, and every other kid BY NAME.
Mr. Jackson, was one of a kind. Dr. Dixon, who is our new principle, has some BIG shoes to fill. Because no-one will ever be as great of a man than Mr. Jackson.
Mr. Jackson, didn't only care about sports, he cared about the well being of every student and teacher in that building. I remember last year at one of our S.T.A.T.I.C meetings, Mr. Jackson decided to pay for our S.T.A.T.I.C shirts. He bought a bunch extra, so that any other student who wanted to join static, could have one. Mr. Jackson, had a strong faith, and he even attended some of our meetings, because he cared about what we were doing, as a Christian group.
This past weekend, was really crummy, considering i spent most of it, at a funeral and viewing of Mr. Jackson. But while at the viewing, there was a blanket, that made me break down. It's something I've seen every morning when i go to wake my grandma up, and every evening, when kiss her goodnight. This quote, speaks wonders to me.... this quote is something that if everyone listened too, they would not have as much stress. The "quote" I'm talking about, is nothing other than the Serenity Prayer:
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
I saw that and just broke down. My grandma, has this quote in her room, next to a pictureJackson for a while,I realized how lucky he was. God chose him to return home at such a young age... why? Because he fulfilled his purpose in life so early. No-one on the planet, knows when, where or how, we are going to leave. I long, for the day, that i can stand in front of Heavens gates, with Jesus holding out his arms, saying, come child, welcome home.
If I've learned anything over the past few weeks, it's that life is way to precious to throw out the window. While thinking about this, i asked myself- what would you do, if you only had 24 hours left on Earth? My answer; well, I'll save that for another post. But truly; If you had 24 hours left of your life..... what would you do?
I don't ask for a lot, but i just really need someone else, to help me pray. I haven't been blogging in a LONG time. The reasons- there has been a lot going on, and blogging, just seemed to be in the way. What i mean when i say that there is a lot going on is, my sister, on the 27th will be getting a surgery, that will predict so much of her future. My nephew who's 17, discovered that his FOURTEEN year old girlfriend is pregnant. My mom, is coming home on Thursday, and I'm worried, because i don't know what to expect. My dad is going into the hospital this Saturday, because a few weeks ago, he had a stroke, and they are going to be running a ton of tests on him for 3 days. My grandma, she isn't doing well, and everyday when i see her, and i leave for school, that is the only thing that's on my mind.
I need to know, that everything is going to be okay. And if it's not, i will accept it, because i cannot change it. The question i asked earlier, my answer as of right now, is to talk to everyone i mentioned above, and let them know how much i love them.
God, you took a great leader, one of a kind. He will be missed. Let the Jackson family rely on you, as they go through this hard time. Let his voice, even though gone, spread throughout the universe. Let his message of 212, set the world on a wild fire. Let the world cry out to you. You know me, and you know exactly what i need healed in my life right now, and i know you of all people can manage to patch me up. So please Lord, answer my prays. Amen.
In closing, i wanted to share this song. It's called, Cry out to Jesus by Third Day. It helped me heal, when i was so hurt, from the news of Mr. Jackson's passing. R.I.P Mr. Jackson, we love you <3
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