Jasmine moved from Virginia to Bowie, MD with her Dad and Step-Mother in 2013.  It was not an easy transition, but her willingness to try and adjust was so commendable.  During this time, she and I got to really know each other and I got trained in the ways of "teenage egos & fragilities".

Jasmine enrolled at Bowie High School where she became fast friends with Melissa Grizzle, a friendship that literally lasted a lifetime.  Jasmine blossomed with this friendship!  I got to see interests embraced and dropped within a 48 hour period.  Jasmine had the constant support of her Dad, and for the first time, she began to handle her sickle Cell disease on her own with support.

She attended Dr. Anand's day clinic and grew very close to John Fominky, a Cameroonian man who had sickle Cell and was in his 40's.  He mentored and taught Jasmine so much.  She was grief stricken when he passed away.

High School was challenging as the constant mobility and taxing requirements often took a toll on her, but she valiantly did her best and invested her time where she knew she shone best - with family, friends and her medical support personnel.

Watching Jasmine become "Jazzy" over the years was a true privelege.  Her Grandfather was a Jazz trumpeter.  It is no surprise that she became affiliated with such a cool art form.   In some ways, Jasmine was a bit a of renaissance girl.  She grasped and embraced modes of fashion and interests from days gone by!  50's fashions, old hip hop, photography, music, old movies, gothica, vampires, wicans, karaoke, animals, medical dramas, documentaries and sketching.  She loved nature, science, analysis of new information, new friends, children, babies and hanging out with family.

Not only did she enjoy documentaries, she was featured in one as an advocate for sickle cell anaemia.  Jasmine never tired of trying to support the cause for a cure and the advocacy of fellow sufferers.  Kind, compassionate and very vested in understanding her illness - she was often called upon to help educate medical students on the illness and its management.  She was truly "cool"!

 

By the time Jasmine got to kindergarten she was a happy, active, inquisitive little girl. She went to Miss Gregory's pre-school Academy in Historic Old Town Alexandria, VA, then on Immanuel Lutheran School, Alexandria. Jasmine and her younger sister Vicky would enjoy the daily drive to school with Dad, listening to the same Christian radio station like clockwork. Living close by were her Uncle Reggie Llewellyn & Aunt Candy, Aunt Rashida, her cousins Donald & Stacey, Aunty Bunty and a host of friends and neighbours.

Her family attended Beulah Baptist Church on South Washington Street in Alexandria, VA.  Jasmine's Mum Adrienne and her Dad Vincent  were very active in the church.  They introduced a very important foundation into her life.  Jasmine often said that her spritual approach to managing a life of pain was rooted in the early days of "organized" religion and the community of loved ones and well wishers.

Daddy and Jasmine used to go to the tennis courts to watch the matches.  She enjoyed the sport, but didn't play much of it, instead, she became an avid photographer.  Cousin Donald introduced Jasmine and her sister Vicky to boating and sailing which she absolutely loved!  Another prime chance to take pictures.  Perhaps this is where her love of ornithography and botany came from.  

Known Family Anectdote:  Jasmine will eat plain white rice ANY day of the week, EVERY day of the week! 

(Picture:  Vicky & Jasmine with Grandma, Jenny Mae Llewellyn, nee Cody) 

....there was Jasmine!  Daddy's first born.  She arrived 2 days after her Dad, Vincent's birthday.  Her grandparents, Gilbert and Jenny Llewellyn fell in love with her instantly.  Soon, "hand and foot" syndrome made itself known and sickle cell Anaemia was diagnosed.  Jasmine became a warrior at a very early age.  But joy followed when she and her elder sister, Keyawna were joined by sisters Vicky who came 2 years later and youngest sister Kyla 10 years later.  Kyla always accused Jasmine of "lying" about Barbies....... "Jasmine promised to play barbies with me if I did her a favour!!!"  Sometimes, Jasmine reneged! hahaha!

(Picture: Jasmine & Grandpa, Gilbert Metcalf Llewellyn)