A little note for Jamie's Dad on his birthday...which happens to be the same day as MY dad's birthday!
Les,
I am so tremendously grateful that over the last eight
years, we have begun building memories.
I feel privileged to enter into this most recent chapter of the story of
Leslie Ivan Reaser. Over these last few years you have become a friend, a father,
a teacher, an example, and a brother to me, and I know that you have spent a
lifetime serving in these capacities for many others.
I remember very clearly the November day in 2008 I drove to
Lake Floyd, following Jamie home during Thanksgiving break, to have the conversation with you and Kim and to
humbly ask your permission to date Jamie. After I asked, you shared with me
wise and succinct series of words that have stuck with me to this day. Well, the way I see it, if the Lord is in
it, there’s nothing I could do to stop it, and if He isn’t, well this will not
amount to anything anyway. I appreciate you teaching me and even more, for
taking your own step of faith and trusting me to court/date Jamie.
I also remember watching and learning from your example over
the next few years. You would regularly go out of your way to help friends and
neighbors around the lake, and even though the selfishness and lack of
gratitude you would see in others might leave you frustrated, you would keep on
serving, and teaching others to do the same. Going with you guys to serve on
Christmas day by doing the jobs nobody
really wanted to do, and doing them well comes to mind as well. I think those
Christmas afternoons doing dishes had a strong impact on who Jamie has become,
and they certainly have given me a more rounded understanding of exactly what
we are celebrating on Christmas too!
And then, there was the second
conversation. About a month before I asked Jamie to marry me, I asked your
permission to ask her. Again, our conversation sticks out so clearly in my mind
because it had all of the color, humor, and sincerity of the family we were
becoming. You wisely reminded me after granting permission that I should
consider what might happen if she said no. Nobody
bats a thousand you know. Every step of the way I have been hope-filled and
faith-filled and yet prepared mentally in case things didn’t go as planned.
Thank you for that wisdom.
I remember vividly the text telling me and my groomsmen that
it was “Go time!” on the day of the wedding. I remember sharing tears in a
sacred moment as you walked Jamie down the aisle and we officially became
family.
I remember road trips together through the years as
well—like the time when Jamie swam a mile in the Chesapeake Bay and we all
traveled out to support her! And then there was the time when we shared a car
and a room for Cindy’s wedding, and we found an endless hill while running
around Warrenton VA. Man I thought that hill would never end! We kept going
right on up it and right through town though.
Alongside all of these memories, I also remember when you
asked me to speak at your mom’s funeral. We have had many great conversations
around the word of God and encouraged one another in our journey’s with Christ,
but I remember how much you worked to make sure that everyone was taken care of
during the day of your mother’s memorial—you rose early to begin preparations,
and you continued to serve and care for others by returning the clubhouse to
its original state. And, I still remember Doris’ smile and joy-filled laughter.
And I hear that same joy when you and I share a laugh together.
Not only do you inspire me with your resolute and tenacious
faith and commitment to service, but also in your commitment to your physical
well-being as well. You are diligently committed to logging, tracking, and
improving your diet—I’m so glad My Fitness Pal has been working so well for
you—you’ve got several years under your belt now! Your commitment to your
physical fitness has inspired Jamie, myself, and many others to get after it in the early morning while
most of the world is sleeping—but we are still not quite getting up as early as
you do.
Thanks so much for helping so many of us to be better than
we would be otherwise. As you journey into a new year, may you
be blessed as much as you have blessed so many others with your presence and
example! I'm truly grateful for you, and I love you lots!
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