Who is Jon....
A General Contractor, with almost 30 years specializing in high-end custom residential work, now semi-retired to focus on other things in life. A devoted Patriot, a strong supporter of our Military, who wanted to Serve, but due to a car wreck could not. Surrounded by an abundance of family and dear friends, who did or still proudly Serve.
How Beckett came to be….
I have had several ‘close calls’, none from poor choices or simple idiocy, the biggest, a fall from a second story, resulting in a Traumatic Brain Injury. Followed by brain surgery, 68 stainless steel staples, physical and mental therapy, leaving some permanent damage. Eventually a pause with work, life found some much needed reflection, healing and strengthening of Faith. It also resulted in personal growth, a lot of writing, and a character named ‘Beckett’.
Why the name ‘Beckett’….
The name ‘Beckett’ came from Josh Beckett, a favorite pitcher of mine and my brother’s home team, the Boston Red Sox. While I was still in the ICU recovering, one day I awoke from an ugly nightmare, and turned the tv on. Thankfully the Sox’ were playing. Confused that my favorite pitcher wasn’t in the game, my wife Gladys, lovingly told me he was traded 3 years before, and I could not recall it at all.
Who is ‘Beckett’….
‘Beckett’ is not based on a specific person or a military member, he is the mix of a lot of people, stories, ‘what-ifs’ and creativity, a fictional character created to hold it all together.
How did all these stories pile up….
I was told due to the significance of the injury and surgery, I may lose some cognitive and physical skills. Suffer short term memories loss, and possibly old memories, leaving gaps in my history. When I was still in the hospital and people came to visit me, it became clear the ‘memory loss was really happening’. So, Gladys got me a note pad, and I began to write things down. Who came to visit, what we talked about, stories I should know, special moments in my past, almost anything I was told that was good, and what I could remember. With no ‘agenda’ or plan I wrote it down, I was trying to ‘preserve me’.
Why the right to make ‘Beckett’?
Beckett is a fictional character, and like any other fictional book is protected by the First Amendment. I have never been contacted by any authority or representative of the US Government or Military.
When, “A Thank You” is written….
What I wanted from writing all this down was to find more of my own memories, and to write some kind of ‘thank you’ to those that are a piece of my life and my recovery. I didn’t know how to with all of the stories, maybe a ‘Chicken Noodle Soup for the broken brain’?
What is the ‘Story of Beckett’….
Though some characters and stories are ‘based on truth’, or snippets of an actual news event, this is not a memoir or biography ….. just pieces put together to create a story, categorized as fiction. Because its ‘no individual’s story’, I created a fictional character, and used some pieces as the basis of his life, some for other character’s lives. I added my experience with TBI and PTSD, a foundation in faith and family to make him a survivor, no matter the odds. Add a childhood dream of rescuing people, by becoming a Navy SEAL, and Beckett came to be.
Where is Beckett going….
As I continue to learn more about the general results of a Traumatic Brain Injury, and my own experiences, I will add more about the challenges, and the after affects. How it affects those around the injured, both the good and the bad. Along with the information and results of the studies I am involved in with doctors and researchers.
I’m still learning my own recovery, and will be dealing with it the rest of my life, so I hope this reaches someone that have to deal with TBI and the PTSD and it helps them.
I am grateful I survived. With my prayers, I thank God, my wife Gladys, the doctors, family and so many others who have helped me recover and move forward.