Jackson Jones
We love this kid!
Kids are great, aren’t they? They’re cute, honest, unassuming, and innocent. (I know some of you mothers are rolling your eyes right now, and believe me, I’m right there with you when it comes to my two.) But seriously, all kids have these tiny moments when you can see with crystal clarity the adults that they are going to become. Moments when you are completely awed by the small human(s) you have created. And it’s those exact times when you pray with all of your might that they won’t lose those precious characteristics that have started to define them.
I’m fairly certain that Sarah and David Jones understand what I’m talking about. That’s because their son, Jackson, is the type of kid that you hope never changes. He’s that ten-year old kid who knows the names of the bus drivers, secretaries, teachers, and janitors at his school. And he not only knows their names, but he invites them to school plays he’s performing in. And they come. Because he’s that kind of kid.
The reason I’m so enamored with Jackson (besides the fact that he is quite adorable) is because, at such a young age, he made a donation to our organization. He gave $100 from of his personal allowance to the Lake Norman Hospice Regatta.
It took him five months to save up that amount.
Seriously, how can you not be blown away by that? I know that I certainly am. (Maybe that’s because I can barely get my kids to give away clothes that don’t even fit them any more. But that’s a topic for a different day.) When Jackson found out that hospice had taken care of his grandmother during the last week of her life, he became even more committed to saving the money. And he did it. Dime by dime, dollar by dollar. His father, David, overheard Jackson just the other day asking his mother to make sure that the money had been deducted from his account.
Yep, this is one young man who, as far as I’m concerned, could stay ten years old forever. His soul is seemingly pure and you hate to think that he could be corrupted in the future by the cynicism that life can bring. I mean, he’s already more compassionate and giving than some adults. But then, that would be a selfish wish. If Jackson has such superb moral qualities now, just imagine the impact he can have on the world as an adult, years from now. It’s one of those crystal clear moments I was talking about.
The glimpse of Jackson’s future that I see is rewarding and meaningful. And we are beyond honored that his future of caring has started with us.
