I think the pain of losing my brother is getting better. I don't think of Jon any less often, but rather when I think of him it does not hurt as much and I can actually smile. I remember his bad puns, the silly pranks we used to play on each other, the Cheshire cat grin he wore as you finally realized he had pulled one on you, and the quiet confidence he exuded.

That said... I have been thinking of ways to proceed with ensuring Jon's memory does not fade and the ideals he believed in are realized. I am not sure that limiting our charitable endeavors to benefit just one organization in one city is the best way to proceed. (Besides the folks at the women's shelter in L'ville won't return my phone calls) In our small section of the world we have made donations to the local women’s shelter in Jon's name, I donated some of his belongings in Louisville to Goodwill in his name, and I know that there were donations made by others to the women's shelter in Louisville in his name also. (Even before the address correction was posted!)

With broadening our horizons in mind, some of my thoughts are:

1. Start a charitable foundation.

2. Have someone tabulate the aggregate donations made in Jon's name so far this year. Use that as a starting point, then set a goal for next year to exceed that amount by a lofty percentage. (I did a small accounting  and have come up with rough figure of $1,225.00, this does not include any memorial donations made in lieu of flower or charity events)

3. For those of you who made donations in Jon's name please use the contact me portion of this page and email me the amounts (a close approximation is ok)

4. Potential names for our proposed foundation/trust: "Doc Jon's Charities” I heard more than once my brother referred to as "The Buddha Boy" so how about "Buddha Boy Charities" or "The Buddha Boy Foundation” etc. your suggestions are welcome and requested. (I did a google search with Jon's name and there is already a "Barnes Foundation")

5. Actually form a committee to steer these efforts. (Those interested please use the "contact me" link and send me an email.
 

I think the "Warholish" pictures at the top of the page need some explanation. Jon's good friend and running buddy Rhonda B. sent me a touching email about a charity run she participated in recently. She told me she attached a picture of Jon to her uniform and wore it during the entire race. That set my mind to wonder about a logo that can be reproduced on clothing, letterhead, business cards, posters, temp tattoos, and signage etc. So I took the picture from the profile section of the page and converted via photoshop to different variations that can be reproduced in one color such as those used in silk screening and offset printing.  (See how us Barnes' can take an idea and run with it?)  So please take a moment and suggest which if any pictures to incorporate into the logo and let me know your ideas.

Last but not least our family was blessed to have Jon in our lives and he was blessed to have all his friends and associates in his. We miss him so very much and we know you do also. Let's not let his memory fade.