Coleman is good at speeches.
It’s true.
We had an idea when he negotiated for what he wanted on a daily basis straight from the womb.
But then it was solidified in second grade, when he decided to enter our school district’s Martin Luther King, Jr. speech contest.

Jason was a motivational speaker, successful salesman and master storyteller.
I used to be a school teacher.
Coleman comes by it rightly.
The charm and sincerity and passion often needed to compel others as an orator...well, he has it.

Then throw in that he is good at memorizing and has a natural knack for delivery - a speech contest is right up his alley.

The kids choose a portion of one of Dr. King’s speeches, add an introduction, then perform it.
The district winners receive a big check and get to share their speeches at an awards ceremony.
Coleman looks at it as an income opportunity.
He likes the spotlight but he also wants that big check!

But this year.
The contest rolled around and it weighed on me. He’s won for the last three years.
Jason always helped out with this project.
Big speaker guiding little speaker.
Now I was on my own.
I missed my partner.

I felt tired. Heavy.
But Coleman needed my help.
We usually put the speech on the wall. Large font. So he can read it.
Then he rides his scooter around our kitchen island, reciting, memorizing and covering up parts that he knows.

Time was ticking away.
My sister helped me get it on the wall.
The practicing began.
Then a few days before he was to give the speech, he did something. Something new.

He paused for a moment, looked at the audience (me) for effect and then kept speaking.
He did it again.
And again.
At just the right places in the speech.

My breath caught.
It was impactful, yes. It was a good speech tactic, for sure.
But it was so...Jason.
Jason and I actually talked about how he used pauses in his storytelling. The effectiveness of it.
The power of the pause.

Suddenly, his son was trying it out. Doing it.
How? I hadn’t told him to pause like that.
We hadn’t practiced this specific technique.
How did he suddenly start doing it so successfully?

I think his dad taught him.
I think he whispered in his ear what to do.
I think Jason was right there with us as Coleman practiced his speech.
Just like always.

People tell me stories all the time about how they have felt Jason helping them or Jason seems nearby.
It actually doesn’t surprise me one bit that he’s in everyone’s business.
It’s his personality.
It’s who he is.
Negotiating with God, “Hey, there’s this person...I need to go help out...how about if I just take care of it...”

Why wouldn’t he be in our business, too?
We are his favorite people.
We are the ones he loves the most.
Of course Jason was with us, giving his tips and his two cents.
Helping his son crush his speech and win for the fourth year in a row.

Of course, Jason is here.
💙✊🏻