December 24, 1999
This page is a loving tribute to Jessi, my daughter. She was hit by a car, in front of our home, while walking to the bus. We believe she didn't see the car, she didn't suffer, she was killed instantly. Her death came as a shock to all who loved her, her family, her friends, the entire community.
We are convinced she is in heaven, she was very devoted to Bible study and lived her life by what she learned. She chose her friends carefully, choosing to hang out with girls who shared her beliefs and morals. She was always willing to offer help to her family and friends. The friends she had, she held dear in her heart. She was a sensitive person and truly cared about other people. She also liked small children and babies and worked as a day care assistant her last summer. She loved animals, especially household pets. Her dog, Shadow, and cat, Buttons, were very special to her.
Jessi is missed so much, not a minute goes by that we don't think of her. Having three kids it is hard to have quality one on one time with each of them. The night before the accident I went into her room and we had a good long talk, shared laughter and enjoyed each others company. She was showing me some pictures that she was drawing and talking about school. When she was ready to go to bed she saw that Larry (my husband) was looking very tired. She went up to him and said "Larry, you look like you could use a big hug." She then gave him one and myself one and said goodnight to both of us.
The morning of her accident I was sitting here at the computer and she came to tell me good bye and gave me a hug and a kiss and said "I Love You, Mom, see you after school". She had put carmax on her lips and when she kissed me I said "Ooh, what's that?" she giggled and said "It's just carmax, oh well, love you" she went out the door giggling. Little did I know these would be the last sounds I would hear from my precious daughter, because she was killed about twenty minutes later. I treasure these moments so much. There was nothing left unsaid between the two of us.
Her sister, Kacey, and her spent about two hours talking in Jessi's bedroom two days before her accident, so they had their special time to remember too. The evening before her and her brother, CJ, watched a comedy show on TV and shared lots of laughs as they did every evening.
Christmas Eve 1999
Jessi, Kacey, CJ and me
Jessi was just beginning to blossom into a beautiful, young woman. She would tease me because she was taller than me, by about 3 or 4 inches. When she gave me a hug, she'd rub me on the head and say "Oh, my poor short Mom". Then she'd giggle.
It is so hard to understand why she is gone. I truly believe that for everyone there is a purpose for our existence here on earth and that she had fulfilled her destiny here. Jessi belonged to a Bible study group that called themselves the "Jesus Freaks". Her Bible study teacher told me, a year before she was killed, that because Jessi had kept inviting her friends, and their friends invited friends there were at least 15 kids in the group as a result of Jessi. She was instrumental in sharing her profound love of God with her friends, she did it without pushing her beliefs, but by gently sharing which was her way.
Jessi loved to laugh and joke. I'm hoping her friends will leave their memories in the guest book of their good times shared with Jessi. Memories are all we have left now, so many good times. The memories we share will help keep her alive in our hearts.
Jessi was a fantastic artist. She loved to draw ever since she was able to hold a pencil. She liked drawing cartoons most of all and was learning to do graphic art on the computer. Below is a family portrait she had done in her computer class. I'm amazed at her abilities, this was done with a mouse! We had the original professionally framed and it hangs in our home.
Larry, me, Kacey, Jessi and CJ
Perhaps Inspired by an Eskimo legend |
Click on thumb nails to view full photo, will be shown 3 at a time.
My favorite photo of Jessi as a little girl, age 5
The last photo taken of Jessi - January 2000
Just click on the poem
I Love You Like a Sister
Memories
Dearest Friend
Invited
Sisters
A Little Mouse
What Pot of Gold?
Click HERE to see how we spent Jessi's birthday, May 30, 2000
Memorial trip in Jessi's memory to Ouray, Colorado with photos.
My First Christmas in Heaven
A beautiful poem I found on the Internet
The Broken Chain
We little knew that morning that God
was going to call your name.
In life we love you dearly,
in death we do the same. It broke
our hearts to lose you; you did not go
alone, for part of us went with you,
the day God called you home.
You left us peaceful memories;
your love is still our guide.
And though we cannot see you,
you are always at our side.
Our family chain is broken,
and nothing seems the same;
but as God calls us
one by one, THE CHAIN
will link again.
Click HERE to see the Memorial Garden I planted in Jessi's memory
Click HERE to see a copy of the story our newspaper ran
Please sign guest book
Sign Jessi's Guest book
View Jessi's Guest book
© 2000 - present Since November 23, 2001.
5,197 visitors before new counter installed.
Jessi's Memorial Page
Web Design by GrumpynAM
