Family Shares Tragedy, Hope Through DVD Project
TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) - Cooper Jasper was five years old that
July day in 2009 when he and his Dad, JJ, were at the family home,
riding a dune buggy.
JJ was driving, and Cooper told his Dad to "flame on," a sort of
code word between father and son, which meant to go full
throttle. The next instant, JJ experienced a parent's
worst nightmare, as the go kart wrecked and a carefree time turned
to tragedy.
"Immediately after the accident, when I unbuckled Cooper, and held
him in my arms, there's not a class or book on this planet that
prepares you to have your five year old son die in your arms," JJ
said.
JJ Jasper is known to many as a longtime morning DJ for
American Family Radio. Shortly after the accident American
Family Media approached JJ and his wife Melanie.
"They said you haven't turned to drugs or alcohol. You are still
going to church, your marriage is intact, you are not angry at God,
and that's rare to go through something of this magnitude and still
be standing," JJ said. " They said we want your story to be
told to give people hope."
The finished project is called "Flame On," a 40 minute DVD that
tells the Jaspers' story, and also explains how they are coping in
the midst of extreme loss.
The Jaspers invited us into their home, where their four
daughters, and a friend were hanging out on a rainy
Saturday.
Music is a big part of family time, and JJ and Melanie say times
like these are vital in a healing process that will never be
complete in this lifetime.
"There's a quote by Corrie Ten Boom," Melanie said, "'There's no
pit so deep that God's grace isn't deeper still.' That is so
true, and I think you said something in the video that He is there
at the bottom of the pit, and God loves us. He's a good
God."
"It's still a process, we're still, it's a journey, this is new to
us, we're trying to heal from this, and you can only make it
through Jesus Christ," JJ said. "Someone said at the graveside
service, this is not a wound that is going to heal. People
with good intentions, say, time heals all wounds. That's not
true. You'll never get over it. When you lose a loved one you
care deeply about, you'll never get over it, but you will get
through it."
"Flame On" is being given away by American Family Media for the
cost of shipping and handling. For more information or
to order the DVD, go to www.flameon.net.
The original story can is found on the WCBI.com website.