Angels Among Us

Somberly, I sat with warm tears running down my blushed cheeks as my aunt finished the eulogy with the inspiring song lyrics. I believe there are angels among us, Sent down to us from somewhere up above. They come to you and me in our darkest hours. To show us how to live, teach us how to give, to guide us with a light of love. I listened to these lyrics remembering all the times with my cousin Jacob who laid before me now. His young life was over. I believe there are angels among us, and Jacob was one of those very angels.

Looking at Jacob’s life, one may think it worthless or unproductive. He was a victim of Batten’s Disease, a disorder of the nervous system, and it consumed the things in life I take for granted. Jake could not walk; he could not talk, sit up or eat on his own. Along with the loss of motor skills, he may also have been blind. Despite the things Jacob could not do, he did more for me in his life than most people do for anyone in their entire life.

Jacob was truly an angel to all those he touched in his short life, especially me. He will never know what he left me when he left this world. First, he showed me how to live. Observing his life, I learned that no matter what life throws you, you should continue on fighting with a smile on your face. Jacob had a life most cannot imagine. Despite his conditions, he fought on, living a year past the age of ten that doctors had given him. Through it all, he could always put on a smile for those around him.

He also taught me how to give. Jake gave so much even though he had so little to give. He could not physically or verbally help, but he could give in emotional ways. Jacob gave happiness to everyone in the room with him. Every Christmas, I looked forward to the smile on his face caused by my touching his hand. That smile gave so much to me.

Most importantly, Jake taught me about love. He taught me to love those in your life because you never know when they will be gone. Through Jake, I have learned to show my love to those I care for.

Jacob came to my family and me when we needed him the most. We were not in his life to help him; he was here to help us. Through his life I learned how to live, give, and love. There are angels among us. Jake was my angel. This I believe.