Originally posted on Facebook on Saturday, December 18, 2021.

In Week 51 of 52 Weeks of Gratefulness, I give thanks for Jamie Jones.

It was a hot summer's day in June and my wife and boys were sitting on the grass just outside George M. Bryan Airport. They were there for two reasons: because our youngest son, Roman, likes to go there just to watch planes take off and land and because they were recording a video for me for Father's Day.

As they were recording, a man began to walk from the hangers in their direction. Thinking that they were about to be told that they could not be there, my family began to get up and leave. But, the man introduced himself and asked if they were there to see the planes. As they talked, they shared how Roman has expressed a love of airplanes even before he could really talk. The man said, "I think I know of something he might be interested in. There's a group meeting in the hanger right now that I think he should meet. Let me introduce you."

That was about 5 years ago, the man was Jamie Jones and that group that was meeting was the MSU Soaring Club. Roman began flying with them at the very next meeting and loved it. He has been flying under the instruction of Dr. George Bennet ever since and is on course to receive his license this upcoming year.

It is rare to find that thing you know without question you were built to do. Because Mr. Jones went out of his way to show kindness to a stranger, he helped my son to find his thing. For that, I am in his debt and he will be forever enshrined in Luckett family history. I'm grateful. #52WoG