Good bye and Hello

A week ago today I was officially saying good-bye to my friend. I also got to say hello to my sweet nephew. Ah, the circle of life. Sad and sweet all at the same time.

We (friends/family of Jackie) have two major projects going on right now. The first one is accepting donations of clothes for Joshua, from size 9 months - 24 months (and anything else!). The second is to do a scrapbook with photos and letters to Joshua. We hope to have it complete by his first birthday on February 13, 2008.

The funeral for Jackie was a beautiful testament to her life. Many loved ones, so many that we had to stand up along side of the church, and some waited outside, were there. Four pastors (two from Jacksonville and two from Lake Como) presided over the service. All four unique in the way they preached. All four unique in the way they looked. All four the same in the way they spoke about Jackie and their love and respect for her.

A prayer was said at the beginning of the service for Maynard, the 19 year old man who was driving the car that hit and killed Jackie, and his family. The rest was about Jackie. People spoke about her, laughed about her, reminisced about her. They talked of her children' s ministry, the kids she taught in Jacksonville, her infectious laugh, her beaming smile. Joshua, calm and sleepy through the service, had no idea we were saying good-bye to his mommy. He has no idea how much we all loved her. It will be our duty to remind him as often as we can how wonderful she was and how wonderful his dad is and how wonderful HE is.

I talk about her every day. I'm still a bit obsessed over this tragedy. I'm still searching for the reason. I've been reminded, that there may not be a reason at all, and to me...that would be the biggest tragedy.

As the summer approaches and you are traveling, please travel safely. Wear your seat belts. Buckle your kids up in their car seats. And as every day passes, be sure to tell those that you love, how you feel about them.

Smiles, lulu