A/N: This may seem strange and not like JJ. But I went to a memorial service today for a close family friend who passed away last week and when his daughter got up to say her eulogy, it stuck with me all day.
John was a true character of the world who left an impact on everyone he met. Most of the basis of this story was taken from his daughter's eulogy because while I feel it's not very conventional, it is so very John and beautiful in its own right.
This one's for you John. Go build your yacht up there and make sure you wait for us before you set off to sail.
Henry's fingers grazed the crumpled edge of the paper that he had just retrieved from his pocket as he stepped up to the podium with his younger brother by his side.
He chanced a glance up at the packed room before him. A sea of black met his eyes, his father seated directly in front of him with tear stained cheeks. Beside him, his mom's colleagues, his aunts and uncles, his adopted family.
Michael sniffed at his side, turning and burying his face in the fabric of Henry's jacket as he fought back the tears that so desperately wanted to fall.
Taking a deep breath, Henry clutched the piece of paper, his hands beginning to tremble as he looked up to speak.
"This is a letter to our mom," he said, his voice shaking ever so slightly as he began to speak. Swallowing hard, he glanced down at the first line of the paper as Michael squeezed tighter around his midsection.
"Dear Mom... it's not fair that you've been taken from us so soon," he started slowly, working hard to keep his voice level. "You honestly were the world's greatest mom and we are forever going to cherish everything you ever taught us in the years we got to spend with you"
He could hear the sniffs around the room, and they didn't do anything to help him win the fight against his composure. Trying to block them out, he continued to speak.
"Most people knew you as the serious and determined Jennifer Jareau, but at home, when it was just the four of us, you were one of the goofiest people I've ever known. One of your favourite sayings came about when I was just six years old. It was a rainy day in the summer and you had the day off work. We were mucking around something awful and I then decided I wanted to try and slide down the banister of the staircase. I expected you to say no, but instead, you promised you would be at the bottom to catch me if I fell. And it was then that you told me 'but Henry, if I miss you, make sure you cushion the landing with your head!'"
A ripple of laughter ran through the room, accompanied by the smile spreading across Will's face.
"It became one of your favourite ways to stir me up. When I was twelve and Michael was five, we went to Australia for a holiday, and I'll never forget being on a tour bus on the highway. We watched as a kangaroo tried to jump the fence but in doing so, got his foot caught and landed on his head on the other side. You poked me in the ribs and said 'did you see that Henry? He cushioned the landing with his head!'"
As the room laughed again, Henry managed a chuckle despite the welling of the tears in his eyes.
"You were the world's biggest goof just for us, but you were also the best mom we could have asked for. You taught us right from wrong and worked hard to make sure this world was a safer place for us. You'll be remembered by everyone who met you because you had that kind of personality. Caring, loving, and kind are just a few of the words that come to mind when I think of how I'm supposed to describe you as a mother"
The tears began to fall, his lower lip quivering terribly as he mustered up everything he had for the last few lines.
"I don't know what we're going to do without you Mom, but somehow, we'll be ok. And if all else fails... I'll always remember to cushion the landing with my head"