These are some of the messages I received over the past few days from friends and family remembering Jake and that dreadful day one year ago.

•  •  •

Exactly one year ago today, I was walking into my house in Atlanta, when I found one of my best friends, Jake Colman had passed away. Jake, the more I look back, the more I realize how vital you were to where I am now–igniting so many of my passions. I’ve spent the last week in Italy, at every corner, all I see is you and gelato… and a multitude of other foods you would’ve loved, and potentially recommend an extra ingredient for, to the chef. Your creativity and persistence allowed you such wonderful talents. More than that, you were always the best friend I could ask for. We always talked about how we stuck through lots of odd things together, as middle school and high school changes a lot. But there we were. Always together. I miss you everyday and love you a lot.

Michelle

• • • •

One year later and I still miss you just as much as ever.

Brianna

• • •

What an especially horrible day for you, the least deserving of such a loss. You know that you have the love and sympathy of so many friends who adore your family, but there is an unbreachable chasm between that and the reality that you two have to face on every day. I can only wish you the gradual dawning of peace, in whatever form that it takes.

Anne

• • • •

“Can’t believe it’s been one year”. “I know, neither can I”

Jake, I love you so much and miss you beyond words.

Storey

• • •

A year a ago today I found out my friend Jake Colman passed away. I can’t believe it’s been a year. I miss you bro.

Avi

• • • •

Today I hold all three of you in my heart and send you all so much love and wishes for moments of peace in your broken hearts. Your son Jake will never ever be forgotten.

Barb

• • • •

Sadness envelopes;

                  it’s been a year without Jake.

                                    Breathe in, breathe out, live.

Bee

• • • •

Just a smattering of the wishes, messages, letters, phone calls and emails we received. Sometimes just a simple text to let us know someone was thinking of us. We received a card from a new friend with three gorgeous origami cranes folded in memory of Jake. One of his friends made a candle for us which we lit on Sunday night. A dear friend sent us four beautiful votive glasses with beeswax tea lights that we burned in honor of our son. As I wrote recently, he had a candle business when he was younger, loved candles, fire, blow torches, welding torches, anything that made heat and light and sparks. So it was only fitting that we light candles for him, have a candle burning constantly for him, and will always kindle that eternal light as long as we are able to strike a match. He was an incandescent spark flashing thorough this life. Wherever his is, I am sure he continues to light his world. Shine on Jakey, Jake. More people than you know miss you.