The nickname you chose for yourself. It really did fit you to a tee. Jay shortened for Jason, Dogg because you were quite the ladies man. I would never call you that. You’re my Jason Eric. Jason Eric Stief. I carefully chose that name so many years ago. Originally it was to be Kerry’s, but his father wanted a junior. So I waited another nine years for you to come along. And you were well worth the wait.
You lived up to your name. So majestic. So strong. I watched as you grew, from a wiry scrawny meticulous little boy, into a very tall muscular meticulous young man. I remember you crying to me that you were never going to grow taller; you thought you would be short for life. Then came the year you had the growth spurt. Complained that your legs constantly hurt. You grew seven inches that year. Till it was said and done, you reached a height of six foot one inch.
You and Joshua are like night and day. One could go by your weekly schedule, Saturday mornings were yours for cleaning your room, your wash, and of course, cleaning your car, your baby. As you know, Joshua waited until his room walked away to clean it. Not very many teenagers are responsible. You were one of the exceptions. Your values and morals made me proud. You didn’t like seeing someone being taken advantage of and you tried to do things right, even if it was harder than doing it the wrong way.
Michael, our paperboy finally told me to tell you thank you. Plus his mom said thank you. The week before the cowards executed you, Michael said that you stopped a gang of kids from picking on him, possibly even thwarted a robbery. You went down the half a block and got involved. He never got the chance to say thank you.
The kids that you used to coach from Special Olympics also stopped by to show their respect for you. Ben says he will share his french fries with you, you wont have to sneak them. Your smiling face. You always smiled. It was a genuine smile. You gave all and asked nothing in return. Usually people smiled in kind. You were on time for appointments, paid your bills on time, did not do drugs, worked your scheduled hours.
You were my SLACKER. I can still see your face when I would call you that. You would smile, and say “yeah right”., rebutting with calling me “ NUMBER ONE SLACKER.” You also loved to call me a BEE-OTCH, both names that I treasure. You are one of the hardest workers I know.
Jason, I miss you so very much. I have such an empty feeling were my heart is supposed to be.
It has been 456 days since you were taken from me. It feels like an eternity. I keep hoping that I will wake from this horrendous dream, but when I do wake, it all comes flooding back. That horrible night. The start of my nightmare. My world forever shattered, never to be the same again. The ripple effect that transpired when you were murdered.
So many people it affected. So many lives that you touched. I found an inner strength that I did not know I had. It took you to show me what I am capable of. You guide my way. My world still revolves around my boys.
I worry now for Joshua. He is lost without you. I see him look at your pictures, you were his mentor also. Even though you two used to bicker.
Work is no longer important to me. It is something that is there. I make sure I keep your room clean, you know I love to clutter things. I visit you several times a day. Just to let you know that I love you, and that I miss you.
I keep you by my heart. Jason, you are my driving force, my determination in what life holds for me. I will make our voice heard for all to hear.
(Remember, being quiet is not a word in my vocabulary.) I do not quit or give up easily either as you very well know. I can only hope and pray that I make you as proud of me, as I am of you.
I love you baby.
Love Mom
A note from Jason's Mom
Speak Out, The Silence is Deafening!!
How can a community stand by and watch as someone is killed? 456 Days since Jason Eric Stief was executed, over 30 people saw the killers, yet not one person saw a thing when the police questioned them. He was killed for going to testify against an animal he recognized the week before.
This is not the first time. I can name 7 other murders that had witnesses (in the past 2 years), and not one person has come forward, and this is only in our city, Reading, Pa. Is this the trend across the Nation? The people unknowingly are condoning the murders with their silence.
Yet, these same people want to "scream" that the police are not doing their job. Tell me, how can the police arrest or go after the murderers or robbers if they do not know who they are?
If this was someone that you loved that was murdered, what would your views be than? How much longer are the decent citizens around the United States going to allow these animals to control their lives?
PLEASE GIVE THIS MOTHER PEACE AND JUSTICE FOR HER PRECIOUS SON. IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT JASON'S MURDER, PLEASE CONTACT THE POLICE, OR CRIME STOPPERS. CALLING CRIME STOPPERS YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO GIVE YOUR NAME!!!!
This update was in the Reading Eagle on 11/28/05.
Still no one arrested in the execution style murder of Jason.
Reading has a 50% rate of Murderers not getting caught for their crime!!
We as a society cannot tolerate intimidation of witnesses!
PLEASE, DO NOT LET ANOTHER MURDERER WALK YOUR STREETS. HELP PUT JASON'S MURDERER BEHIND BARS, WHERE HE BELONGS!! TOGETHER, YOU CAN CLEAN UP YOUR CITY AND FEEL SAFER KNOWING A MURDERER IS BEHIND BARS
