I learned so much from Jess. And so many times over the years she kept telling me how proud of me she was... I, too, am so proud of her. She came back from the darkest of times to be an amazing mother, sister and friend. However, as a child she tried many times to lose me when I'd tag along with her and her friends but finally her senior night I was asked to tag along. From then on Jess no longer dreaded her baby sister wanting to tag along. Over the years, we always knew we call each other when we needed an ear. I always called Jess with some of my worst life experiences because I knew she wouldn't judge and she would offer one of her FAMOUS HUGS. Like many, Jess taught me to see the sunshine behind the clouds. I love and miss her every day and I can't wait to see her again. 

At Jessi's memorial yesterday, I heard so many stories about how big a heart Jess had and how much compassion she showed to her friends and everyone around her.  I didn't share this story although I wish that I had.  Fifteen years ago, I was involved in a really bad car accident and nearly died.  While in the hospital in Pittsburgh (the accident happened in PA), my family was trying to figure out the plan for my rehab which promised to be prolonged.  I had just started my job in western NY and wanted to go back to the area so I could be close when I was able to work again.  I don't recall if I ever stated that explicitly.

Regardless, Jess knew.  I remember her leaning down and whispering in my ear, "I'll come take care of you Steph".  And she did.  She dropped her life in WV - her apt, her plants, her cat - and moved to NY to help me.  She came every day of my three month rehab - keeping my spirits up, doing some of the nursing tasks for me, smuggling in McDonalds when I just couldn't take the hospital food one more day...  She made me smile and laugh and supported me through the painful physical therapy every day.  She paid my bills, took care of my cats, and got me through the hardest period of my life. And she stayed with me for a year to continue to help me - taking me to physical therapy twice a week, driving me to work for months, etc.  

I could never have repaid her for the compassion and love she showed me.  But she never asked me to.  That was Jessi.  And once again, her heart humbled me.  And continues to humble me...  I hope that I can l someday approach her level of caring for people.

My favorite story of Jess was from our childhood.  Our dad was a stickler for making sure we used Listerine after brushing our teeth.  We hated it of course.  Once, when we were kids, Dad went on the road for a few months for a construction job.  When he got back, we were all in the car going somewhere and he was chastizing us all because he bought two bottles of Listerine right before he left. HIS bottle was almost gone while OUR bottle was nearly half full.  And then he asked, "Now why do you think that is?!"  From the backseat came a small voice (Jessi's), "Because you have a bigger mouth?"

We all laughed so so hard!  Even Dad, after he got over the shock of being bested by a 6 year-old.  :)