Jake

Big blue eyes and a gap between your teeth

With a genius mind and a gentle heart beneath

Quoting funny movie lines from your favorite stars

Telling Dirty Dozen jokes, laughing really hard

A nerdy kid with a booming, thunderous laugh

You walked such a bright and happy path

You stole the show just by standing there

My firstborn son, beyond compare

You were the light at the end of my tunnel

My steady rock when my hope would crumble

You taught me not to take this life too seriously

To go for the gold and live it fearlessly

"Family first, always say I love you"

Jake, I just wish I had more time with you

I miss piling in your little car, driving to the creek

Tumbling out like circus clowns, laughing till we're weak

You were the gentle mediator, liking everyone you knew

Protective of your two sisters, so loyal and true

Your brothers were your best friends, your friends were brothers too

We'd have serious talks about the future waiting for you

You would have been a stand-up comic, shining on the stage

And I would be in the front row, cheering every day

'Cause you were the light at the end of my tunnel

My steady rock when my hope would crumble

You taught me not to take this life too seriously

To go for the gold and live it fearlessly

"Family first, always say I love you"

Jake, I just wish I had more time with you

If I could do it over, I'd listen a little longer

Hold you so much tighter, make my praises stronger

I'm sorry for the moments as a mother I fell short

You were my best friend, my steady support

I'd take your twenty-five years and make them the best

The greatest days you could have ever wished or guessed

I can still hear your voice, those last words that you said

They play on a quiet loop right inside my head

"Don't make the pudding pies until I get home, Ma...

I wanna lick the bowl. I love you. I'll be right back."

But you weren't, and the world just stopped in its tracks

Now I'm holding all the love that I can't give back

But you're still the light at the end of my tunnel

My steady rock when my hope would crumble

I won't let the gray clouds take my happiness away

I'll carry your thunderous laugh with me every day

Go for the gold, and always say I love you

Oh Jake, I will always love you