Missing Jay

Forty-six years ago God sent me one of my greatest treasures—James Ryan Jones—better known as “Jay.” How could I know this baby boy with Down syndrome and a rare congenital heart disease would forever change my life and the world around me? My heart was and still is completely mesmerized by this sweet son and his unconditional love.

Jay had a gentle spirit and happy personality and loved Jesus with all of his heart. He also saw angels, often talking with his guardian angel that stood by his door each night. And I’m certain Jay’s hospital room was filled with angels, both human and heavenly ones, as he fought courageously through surgery, cardiac arrest, ventilators, oxygen crashes and more.

One person Jay desperately missed in his life was his daddy who went to heaven eleven years ago. Jay threw kisses and sang to his daddy daily. And as I held my sweet son in my arms in the hospital, with his brother also beside him, and as I kissed Jay and brushed his soft hair away from his face, I believe God watched and wept then said, “Jay, this life is too hard for you. I’m sending my angels to carry you home.” And in a breath, Jay was in the arms of Jesus and his daddy.

But blessed? Oh, I am so blessed to be the mother of such a precious gem, a hero to our family. He gave me bear hugs every morning and made me laugh daily. And when Jay and his brother, Aaron got together who knew what crazy things they might do. Life with Jay could be hilariously funny and lovingly sweet. And I miss him. More than I could ever put into words.

I thank each of you for all the prayers you said for Jay and our family during his 48 days of hospitalization, 46 in ICU. Please continue. My heart is absolutely shattered. My home empty without Jay’s presence. My world upside down with no path in this emotional wilderness. But oh, I wouldn’t have missed this life with Jay for the world.

“Love you my sweet son! Love and miss you forever!”