A year later...

Jason D. Laino 1974 - 2002

Cease ... upon the moment of long ago
One breath away and there you will be
So young and carefree again you will see
That place and time
So gold

Still ... away into that way back when
You thought that all would last forever
But like the weather nothing can ever
And be in time
Stay gold

But can it be ... when we can see
So vividly a memory
And yes you say so lost a day
To fade away
And leave a red sun
So gold

Life ... is but a twinkling of an eye
Yet filled with sorrow and compassion
Though not imagined all things that happen
Will age to old
Though gold

Jason, Stay gold

Stay Gold, Stevie Wonder

Comments

[Paul Troon]

Hi Matty & Charlene -

I am an old friend of Jason's also, we met on my first trip outside of Australia way back in 1994. I was in New York, 21 years old, quite overwhelmed by the place - and Jason was the most genuine, lovely guy. We had kept in touch occasionally and he came to visit in Melbourne many years ago now; I had emailed several times and never heard back...
I had no idea of his passing until I tried to google him before visiting New York again in June this year - I was so saddened to discover he was no longer with us, and still perplexed as to the circumstances.

Charlene, I have a couple of lovely old photos of him if you'd like - I can scan them and email them over to you - my email address is paultroon (at) gmail (dot) com

All the best -
Paul.

[Charlene Laino]

Hi Matthew,

I am Jason Laino's mother. I was just checking my e-mail, and I don't know why; but, I typed in Jason's name and found this. I was so surprised! I am not very computer savvy and usually don't do this. Was this a page in memory of Jason? I am not familiar with Stay Gold; but, love the words . . . very fitting. Do I know you? Sorry if I have met you before and don't remember . . . Jason had many friends. I was, also, surprised to see a comment from Julia in Germany . . . I remember her. Did you ever correspond with her?

I am not sure how this works. I hope that you get this message and that I hear back from you.

Charlene Laino

[Julia H.]

Hi Matthew!

I found your page, your blog when googling Jason Laino.
I hoped to find him in the internet.
He was one of my first loves.
What happened to him?
Is he dead?
Its sure him on the picture that you published...
I knew him on my first US trip to his hometown Naperville.
He was a very bright member of the drama group and we had a short but intensive contact.
What did he get? His dream was being an actor.
Where did you get to know him?
What happened to him?
It would be nice/great if you could answer me some words from whereever you are.
I am really interested in knowing more about Jason and talk to somebody who knew him recently.
Hope, you read this.

Julia(33,from Germany)