I read this post twice over and am in awe of how great of a writer you are and how I feel connected to your story even though we have never met. There are no words I can share to express how sorry I feel for your family but you seem to be moving through life with a lot of strength and that is very inspiring.
I never met Jon or really followed him much on the Ringer but have been following his story since his diagnosis. I'm grateful to have learned about his life even through difficult times. Thanks for sharing these words over the last year and a half.
So beautiful! Thanks to you and Jon for sharing precious Jackson with me at school! I love him so much. Jon was a warrior dropping Jackie boy at school, an incredible inspiration. Jon is so missed.
Love this so much! You are such an inspiration!! God has BIG plans for you!! I look forward to reading your posts and keeping up with you and Jackson!! ❤️ (I’m Sarah’s mom)
Thanks for writing, Melissa. I’m glad you are sharing your journey, and your true gift, with us. You and Jon certainly had that in common. Thinking of you and Jackson. 😘
Hey Melissa you are such a gifted writer. We have thought of you and prayed for you and Jackson often. Grief is a fickle thing. You may think that you have passed a stage and then find yourself right back there. You will just have to smile at all the people who come up to you and tell you I know exactly how you feel. I lost my granny when I was 5 it was awful. 😆I have lost many in my life now brother father mother grandparents babies in-laws you will always miss them and mourn them but it does get a little easier, you get used to it and you live. That’s Jon’s legacy to you he wanted you to live so you go girl. Keep trying those new things and live. Not sure if you are familiar with the pastor Rick Warren he wrote The Purpose Driven Life. I love to listen to his daily devotionals. He recently did a series on heaven. There were some things he shared I had never heard before and it was so comforting. I highly recommend you look him up and check out his series on heaven. It made me think about it in a whole different light. We love you and Jackson. We’re cheering you on. ❤️
Thank you for sharing your story especially your honesty and vulnerability in such a difficult season of life. I have been a longtime admirer of your late husband's sports journalism, as well as his writings on faith. My condolences to your family, and I pray that the Lord will give you strength to carry on in this season, for His warmth and comfort as you and your son grieve, and that the Lord will continue to provide you with people who will weep with you when you weep and rejoice with you when you rejoice. Blessings
Praying for you and Jackson. Thanks for the honesty and transparency. I’m a terrible writer so I won’t be able to convey this properly, but following Jon on Twitter/the ringer and then following your families story has changed me. The faith, strength and perspective on life that you both have displayed has been so challenging. He was such a good, godly man. I strive to be what he was to you and your son for my wife and kids. I will continue to pray for you.
Love you so much friend. I am so honored to know you and to call you a friend. I know your identity has changed and you're not part of a couple, but your identity in Christ has not changed. Your true identity as Melissa is a child of God. That will never change.
Lol at Jon both freaking out and loving the ferris wheel. “I wish I brought my binocs!!” Wish he had been here to see UT blow out OU for the first time in over 50 years. I know he was whooping them on from heaven as I slowly melted into a Sooner puddle of pain down here lol
You ARE a gifted and profound writer, and I feel so so honored that you have chosen to let people see a window into your journey. What a gift. Can’t wait to hug your neck again ❤️
Also- I don’t remember you being annoying about Jon in Brussels 😂
Jon would be so SO proud of you! You are an amazing human and follower of Jesus, keep writing! And I totally think you could be a spin girl 🤪 Love you!
Hi there, we have never met, but I know your parents through my job. Thank you so much for updating us in how you are doing. I’ve kept up through yalls journey with Jon’s cancer, and I’ve continued to pray for you since he passed. I know it is so hard, but I’m thankful for the community God has given you and that you are using writing as an outlet to grieve and cope.
I read this post twice over and am in awe of how great of a writer you are and how I feel connected to your story even though we have never met. There are no words I can share to express how sorry I feel for your family but you seem to be moving through life with a lot of strength and that is very inspiring.
I never met Jon or really followed him much on the Ringer but have been following his story since his diagnosis. I'm grateful to have learned about his life even through difficult times. Thanks for sharing these words over the last year and a half.
So beautifully written, thank you for sharing! Love you! - Michaela
So beautiful! Thanks to you and Jon for sharing precious Jackson with me at school! I love him so much. Jon was a warrior dropping Jackie boy at school, an incredible inspiration. Jon is so missed.
Prayers to you and your amazing family.
❤️
Love this so much! You are such an inspiration!! God has BIG plans for you!! I look forward to reading your posts and keeping up with you and Jackson!! ❤️ (I’m Sarah’s mom)
Thank you so much for your story. I pray that God continues to sustain you as you walk through this new normal.
Thanks for writing, Melissa. I’m glad you are sharing your journey, and your true gift, with us. You and Jon certainly had that in common. Thinking of you and Jackson. 😘
Loved this. Praying for you, my friend!
Hey Melissa you are such a gifted writer. We have thought of you and prayed for you and Jackson often. Grief is a fickle thing. You may think that you have passed a stage and then find yourself right back there. You will just have to smile at all the people who come up to you and tell you I know exactly how you feel. I lost my granny when I was 5 it was awful. 😆I have lost many in my life now brother father mother grandparents babies in-laws you will always miss them and mourn them but it does get a little easier, you get used to it and you live. That’s Jon’s legacy to you he wanted you to live so you go girl. Keep trying those new things and live. Not sure if you are familiar with the pastor Rick Warren he wrote The Purpose Driven Life. I love to listen to his daily devotionals. He recently did a series on heaven. There were some things he shared I had never heard before and it was so comforting. I highly recommend you look him up and check out his series on heaven. It made me think about it in a whole different light. We love you and Jackson. We’re cheering you on. ❤️
Thank you for sharing your story especially your honesty and vulnerability in such a difficult season of life. I have been a longtime admirer of your late husband's sports journalism, as well as his writings on faith. My condolences to your family, and I pray that the Lord will give you strength to carry on in this season, for His warmth and comfort as you and your son grieve, and that the Lord will continue to provide you with people who will weep with you when you weep and rejoice with you when you rejoice. Blessings
Praying for you and Jackson. Thanks for the honesty and transparency. I’m a terrible writer so I won’t be able to convey this properly, but following Jon on Twitter/the ringer and then following your families story has changed me. The faith, strength and perspective on life that you both have displayed has been so challenging. He was such a good, godly man. I strive to be what he was to you and your son for my wife and kids. I will continue to pray for you.
Love you so much friend. I am so honored to know you and to call you a friend. I know your identity has changed and you're not part of a couple, but your identity in Christ has not changed. Your true identity as Melissa is a child of God. That will never change.
Lol at Jon both freaking out and loving the ferris wheel. “I wish I brought my binocs!!” Wish he had been here to see UT blow out OU for the first time in over 50 years. I know he was whooping them on from heaven as I slowly melted into a Sooner puddle of pain down here lol
You ARE a gifted and profound writer, and I feel so so honored that you have chosen to let people see a window into your journey. What a gift. Can’t wait to hug your neck again ❤️
Also- I don’t remember you being annoying about Jon in Brussels 😂
Jon would be so SO proud of you! You are an amazing human and follower of Jesus, keep writing! And I totally think you could be a spin girl 🤪 Love you!
Hi there, we have never met, but I know your parents through my job. Thank you so much for updating us in how you are doing. I’ve kept up through yalls journey with Jon’s cancer, and I’ve continued to pray for you since he passed. I know it is so hard, but I’m thankful for the community God has given you and that you are using writing as an outlet to grieve and cope.