I see myself as a huge fiery comet, a shooting star. Everyone stops, points up and gasps "Oh look at that!" Then - whoosh, and I'm gone...and they'll never see anything like it ever again, and they won't be able to forget me - EVER.       

For one brief moment in time there was more happiness, more love, and more beauty in the world. For an instant, a time far too short, there lived a beautiful boy who personified kindness and compassion for his fellow man. A spirited and loving young man who could see through to the uniqueness and goodness at the heart of all he met. As one of his many friends said "J.R. was not only my best friend, he was everyone's best friend". Now we are left to carry on without him and the world is a much darker place.

J.R. Woodfin was born in Memphis, Tennessee on July 10th, 1986. He attended Crosswinds Elementary School in Collierville, Tennessee. He was part of a large blended family, which included one sister, Tiffany, two stepsisters, Morgan and Mallory, one stepbrother,  Nick, his Mom, Marilyn and step dad, Glenn. He was the baby of the family . He moved to Winter Springs, Florida in 1997 and there he attended Indian Trails Middle School and later, Winter Springs High School. He was an excellent swimmer and while at W.S.H.S. he was a captain of the water polo team. He graduated in 2004 and started college at Seminole Community College. He took numerous music and voice courses and could play guitar, piano and sing. He had a multitude of friends and made new friends wherever he went. He was compassionate, concerned about social justice and fairness and was polite and kind to everyone. John Robert crossed over to paradise due to medical malpractice on December 21, 2005.

I think about how much I miss him, and start to feel sorry for myself.....but then I think about all the people who never got the chance to meet him -- and I start to feel sorry for them.              Author ~unknown~

Don't think of him as gone away~
his journey's just begun
life holds so many facets
this earth is only one.~

Just think of him as resting~
from the sorrows and the fears
in a place of warmth and comfort
where there are no days and years~

Think how he must be wishing~
that we could know today
how nothing but our sadness
can really pass away~

And think of him as living~
in the hearts of those he touched
for no one loved is ever lost
and he was loved so much~

Author ~unknown~ 



When you are sorrowful look again in your heart,
and you shall see that in truth you are weeping
for that which has been your delight.

                                           From The Prophet 
                                           by Kahlil Gibran 


"I have learned that some pain cannot be healed, but must be endured. I believe our Higher Power will help us to endure and find peace. I loved the boy with the utmost love of which my soul is capable and he is taken from me-yet in the agony of my spirit in surrendering such a treasure, I feel a thousand times richer than if I had never possessed it."
-- William Wordsworth 1812

Jay knew he was going to be an Angel!

From the Apocrypha of the Bible:

But the righteous, though they die early, will be at rest.
For old age is not honored for length of time or measured by number of years but understanding is gray hair for anyone and a blameless life is ripe old age.

There were some who pleased God and were loved by Him and while living among sinners were taken up.
They were caught up so that evil might not change their understanding or guile deceive their souls.
For the fascination of wickedness obscures what is good and roving desire perverts the innocent mind.

Being perfected in a short time, they fulfilled long years for their souls were pleasing to the Lord. Therefore He took them quickly from the midst of wickedness.

Yet the people saw and did not understand or take such a thing to heart that God's grace and mercy are with His elect and that He watches over His holy ones.

Wisdom of Solomon
4:7-15