Tuesday, September 16

Remember, I Remember

This is my friend Jessica.


Jessica and I taught in neighboring classrooms at Awakening Seed School in Phoenix for many years. She is a young, vibrant woman with a remarkable ability to make everyone (child, parent and colleague) around her feel loved and cherished. I loved to visit in her classroom, whether as the Movement Specialist working with her students, or as the whiny co-worker looking for a little venting session with a good listener. Either way, it was a joy to be around Jessica. Always smiling, always ready with a hug, always with a laugh just about to erupt over the funny life of an Early Childhood Education teacher, Jessica has been a bright light in my life.

Yesterday as I was partway through my work day here in The Hague, I received an email from a friend which read in part:

It is my task to deliver some sad news to you regarding Jessica Worthington, who taught at the Seed for many years. Jessica was 36 weeks pregnant with her first baby and in the last few weeks ran into some complications with her pregnancy. She developed problems with her liver, which resulted in the loss of her baby last Thursday, September 11th. Jessica herself never recovered, and also passed on Sunday evening.

And I felt the light go out.

I want to say something meaningful and poetic here about the journey of life and the circle of our existence on this planet. But I am at a complete loss for words and choose now instead to cry a river in remembrance of Jessica; fully aware that as much as I grieve the loss of my friend I also celebrate her influence in my life.

Darling Jess, I thought I missed you when we moved across the ocean. I miss you exponentially more now. Goodbye, friend. I love you.
~jenn

21 comments:

  1. Oh god I'm so sorry! What a sad story :( Her partner must be beside himself!

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  2. Oh. My. GOODNESS!!!! I feel just terrible for you and for Jess and her family.

    But part of me is very very angry - a woman in the United States should not die from pregnancy complications. The last time that happened in our fair city it made the front page of the newspapers and stayed there for a long time. There was a year-long investigation by local and state authorities and much soul searching by the hospital.

    But this rant is completely inappropriate for what you are feeling right now. Darling dear, I am so sorry for this.

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  3. I am so sorry for your loss. I can only imagine the sadness and devestation you felt when you received that e-mail. It brings tears to my eyes.

    I really hope her family gets all the support they need now.

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  4. Oh my goodness. I'm so very sorry for your loss. The loss of a dear friend is devastating, I've been there in the last 2 years. My thoughts are with you and the family.

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  5. I'm very sorry for the loss of your friend. I hope her family finds their way through this dark time.

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  6. What a tragedy for all who loved her. My prayers to her family, and to you.

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  7. OH Jenn, how awful. I think people forget that pregnancy can still take the mother's life too. I'm so sorry for your loss.

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  8. I'm so sorry. So terribly sad in so many, many ways. I'm sorry.

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  9. Oh Jen, I am so sorry. You're in my thoughts.

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  10. I cannot even begin to imagine how you feel. I am so very sorry for your loss and at the same time so glad that you had been blessed with her friendship...hold that thought near.

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  11. Oh Jenn, I'm so sorry for you, losing a friend is one of the most difficult things ever. I can't say I know how you feel, but I can imagine. *hug*

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  12. Oh, Jenn, I'm so, so sorry. I can't even imagine this.

    I also can't imagine women in the U.S. dying of pregnancy complications in this day and age - so completely wrong.

    I'm sorry for your loss and for all those whom Jessica touched, and it sounds like there were many.

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  13. Oh Jenn, I am so sorry! I've got tears in my eyes thinking about her poor husband! (and everyone else who's going to be missing her!)

    ((hugs!))

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  14. Oh, crap! I am SO sorry for the loss of anyone, much less someone who is important to important folks. Please know that my thoughts are with you and with Jess's family.

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  15. OUCH - that one hurts! Your photograph for her is beautiful and says it all!

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  16. Jenn, I am so sorry. Unspeakable sadness, I am sure. I can only offer my condolences.

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  17. What a tragic loss. It's seems the very best people are often swept away before their time...

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  18. Oh, Jenn, I'm so sorry. I went first and read the post at Bloggers Annex about your grandpa ... and tears welled up. (You have a way with making everything so real.) I clicked on what Bloggers Annex said was your most recent post (this one). When I read this one ... more tears dripped down my face. I'm so so sorry for you and for her family. Sorry, I've gotta go now and have a good cry.

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  19. What a terrible loss! I'm so sorry Jenn, my heart is with you.

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  20. Jenn, I am so, so sorry for you and everyone else who loved Jessica.

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