Hit and run boy is buried

For the first time in more than a decade, Diana Colon spent Christmas without her 12-year-old son Jacob, who was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver two weeks ago.
&#8220For me, there is no holiday,” she said sobbing on Christmas Eve.
On Christmas Day, Colon said that she kept to herself away from the festivities and family who crowded into her Richmond Hill home. Meanwhile, friends of Jacob - nicknamed Jay Jay - called and stopped by to make sure that she was alright. Since Jacob's death on Saturday, December 16, Colon has been racked with grief over the life she believes was taken too soon.
&#8220It's not the same when your son is not there,” Colon said.
A little bit of consolation for her has come from the belief that Jacob left an imprint on many lives. More than 200
people packed his two-day viewing, and friends printed hundreds of shirts with Jacob's picture to wear to his funeral.
During the funeral for the boy, Fr. James King, Pastor of Holy Child Jesus Church, spoke about the mysterious nature of tragedy.
&#8220On this very sad day, we begin by asking this question: why? Why did Jay Jay die so tragically? It will remain a mystery,” King said.
&#8220For a very short time Jay Jay brought much happiness to a lot of people,” King said, describing the boy as charismatic and loving. &#8220He was loved by all.”
Before reading the Prayer of St. Francis, King told mourners, &#8220We believe that Jay Jay is now dwelling in God's kingdom. Our faith in God truly sustains us at this time.”
Colon has also begun working on several projects to remember her son and at the same time keep herself busy. She hopes to convince lawmakers to rename the section of Atlantic Avenue in between 111th and 110th Streets in honor of her son.
She and her family also hope to extend the maximum
sentence that could be given to Juan Franjul, who has been charged with hitting Jacob and driving away.
&#8220Fifteen years, that's not enough,” she said.
Colon said that she plans to attend Franjul's next court
hearing, slated for Tuesday, January 2, 2007, and wear a shirt imprinted with her son's picture.
&#8220I want him to see my face. I want him to see my son's face on my shirt, so he can know what he did,” she said.