In Memoriam: Kirk Jacobs

Twenty years ago tonight, one of my high school classmates and good friend was killed in a car accident. My prayers today go out to the family of Kirk Jacobs and to my other friend who was driving that night; thankfully, he was relatively uninjured. I'm sure their grief still knows no bounds.

My life changed forever on Friday, October 28, 1988. That was the day I think I lost all of my youthful invincibility. I remember going to the funeral home the following Sunday night, and being closer emotionally to some of my classmates than I ever had been before.

School on Monday was a surreal experience. I unknowingly broke the news of Kirk's death to one of my friends, the first time I had to tell another person that one among us had passed. I'll never forget how our math teacher, Mr. Rodriguez - Kirk was in my class - just couldn't go on that day. When the teacher lost it, I don't think any of us in the classroom knew how to handle it.

I remember the shock and grief expressed by the principal of Bernards High School; in all his years, this was the first time he'd lost a student.

The Bernards High School Class of 1989, myself included, was forever going to be one classmate short.

I hadn't come to the Lord then, but I do remember that I was able to scribble a Bible verse - one of the few I knew at the time - in the memory book at the funeral home, so I'll close with what I wrote then, Ecclesiastes 11:9 (NIV):

Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth.

I miss you Kirk. I'm blessed to have known you for the time we were given.