Well, it's been 14 years since our precious Jessica got sick. Truthfully some days, it feels like yesterday. There has been a lot of healing since then and still more that needs to happen, but what is so amazing is the resiliency the human heart seems to have (even though sometimes it doesn't feel like it). Jessica was only 8 years old when she went to be with the Lord after a short 5 week battle with brain cancer. We don't truly know what caused it, but for me, I will go to my grave believing it was enviromental. She was an amazing child and throughout her entire illness and treatments she always smiled and was the first to tell someone that "it's okay". She, in many ways, was stronger and more positive than the rest of us. During that time we learned a lot about not only ourselves, but each other. We saw who was truly there for all of us when the chips were down. My sister (Jessica's mom) was an amazing example of a strong woman who would hold it together at all costs for Jessica. She will always be my hero for that because I don't really know if I have what it takes to do all she did during that time. Our sister, Stacy, left Memphis and moved in with Paige to care for Jessica so she could keep her job and still knew Jess was being taken care of. There aren't a lot of syblings/people who would do that. I know for Paige and certainly myself we will forever be grateful for that. My job that I had just started (literally the day she was diagnosed was my first day there) was amazing. The people at Gastonia Home Health Care could not have been more understanding and caring. They allowed me as much time as needed for me to be with my family to help as much as I could. Even my little Chadman who was (in his words) Jessica's boyfriend, but honestly, they were as close as true brother and sisters would be. He was so strong. He misses her to this day and I know this because he never fails to mention her to me during this time and he even has a tattoo remembering her. He even took what he learned from that experience and helped a friend of his who was also his age (at this time he was 9 years old) get through the loss of his little baby sister. I don't know many 9 year olds who can do that, but he did. Our parents (all of them) were amazing. They knew what to say and what not to say and when we needed something and when we didn't. We had family members that came from all over to be at the funeral and to support Paige in this horrific time. Probably one of the most impressive of all these folks was Jessica's baby sister, Jorden (who at the time was only 4 years old). She was so brave and it was actually very sweet to see her have amazing intuition to know when her mommy needed an extra hug. She wasn't really even old enough to truly grasp what was going on, but she just did everything she was asked to do and she always had perfect timing when mommy needed a hug or for her to be quiet. It will always amaze me with everything everyone did. We have a large family with 2 brothers and there are 5 of us girls and we were all there to be with Paige during this time. A family this large always seems to have someone missing at times like this, but not our family. They were either there in person, on the phone, sent flowers, cards, etc. But regarless how they were there, they were just there. It is a sad time of year, but it does warm my heart to know how loved Jessica, Paige, and Jorden were so loved during this time. We won't understand why this had to happen like it did until we are standing in front of our heavenly father one day and until then we can only know that it was in his plan. As for my sister, Paige, she continues to live her life to the fullest and while this time of year is especially hard for her she always manages to make sure Jorden and her husband know they are loved as well as the rest of her family. We all miss Jessica in our own ways, but I can't imagine how Paige misses her. Jessica will never be forgotten and will forever be loved and it a wonderful legacy to leave behind.
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