Friday, September 13, 2013

Remembering Jenny {9.13.03}

Today it has been 10 years since my dear friend Jenny passed away in a car crash. I remember getting the call like it was yesterday. I was a freshman at college only a few weeks in and my world was completely shaken. While I was looking for old pictures for our 10 year reunion slide show I stumbled upon a notebook that Stephanie, Jenny and I passed back and forth in middle school and I started reading and couldn't stop. I was laughing so hard at our code names for boys and our obsession with N'Sync. And did you notice the address on the inside cover? 777 Hotties Drive? Oh middle school...
When the letters in the notebook had ended I flipped through the pages to see if I had missed any and in the very back of the notebook I found the notes to the speech that Stephanie and I wrote for Jenny's funeral. We wrote it as if we were talking to her.  Here is what we wrote....

Dear Jenny,
There are so many reasons why we consider you our best friend. Where do we even begin? From the time we were little girls in Mrs. Lovett's first grade class we were drawn to your engaging smile and nurturing personality.
As we grew older your playful personality always led us from one adventure to another. I remember the time we snuck over to the park without our Mom's permission and we couldn't cover up our secret because you came home with two chipped teeth!
Another big adventure for us as big fifth graders was when you won us a limo ride to McDonalds. We felt so cool and stylish dressed up in our limited too outfits. Speaking of stylish, remember how stylish you were being the only 4th grader with black high tops and pink pumps? Everyone was so tempted to pump your shoes and of course you let them.
Your generosity has always been appreciated whether it meant adopting a grandmother who you invited to all your sporting events or lending an ear to a friend in need. You always know the right thing to say and it's always spoken from the heart.
You could brighten anyone's day even if it meant telling one of your corny jokes. Not only did you make your friends laugh, but you made yourself laugh. My favorite joke of yours was "What did the bird say when it's cage broke" Cheap. Cheap
You always know how to lighten the mood. I'll never forget the night I called you at midnight and the next thing I knew we were on three-way with Cleo the psychic and were charged $40.00 for a five minute phone call.
So many of our happy memories are wrapped up in the time we spent with you. You truly are a blessing. We've been so fortunate to have you in our lives and we will cherish the times we have had together forever. Best friends forever.
Love, Allison and Steph

This was the last note that the 3 of us "exchanged." I miss Jenny and the light she shared with the world. Even though she is not here physically, her legacy carries on. A group of us are getting together at her grave sight this weekend to remember and celebrate her life and I hope we can smile and laugh together because that is what she would want.

14 comments:

Jen Mc said...

I'm so sorry for your loss! I'm glad you have many happy memories of her, though. Hold on to those.
HUGS!
Thank you for sharing your feelings.

Anonymous said...

This had me tearing up. So heartfelt and filled with such love.

Here's to the forever memories.

-Amy

According to Jax said...

I'm balling crying at my desk! Love you and love your sweet friendship with Jenny! I had a really close friend who passed away my Junior year of high school. She comes up in my dreams ALL the time, and it just makes me think that she's thinking of me! :)
xoxo!!

Crystal said...

So sorry for your loss. You continue to allow her sweet spirit to shine through your memories of her.

Anonymous said...

So sad. :(

The Lady Okie said...

I have been blessed to not have to experience a loss like this so young. I think it would be so hard. There was actually a funeral at my church just yesterday for a high school boy who died in a freak car accident. So sad.

Erin LFF said...

Such an incredibly sweet post. I'm so sorry you lost such a great friend at such a young age. How awesome that you have that notebook still to treasure and always look back on!

lauren [lolloped] said...

This was so sad, but also so beautiful. Thank you for sharing :)

Brittany said...

Wonderfully written, Allison. You had me crying on my couch, but it also filled my heart with happiness. It's awesome that you can look back on your time with her with so much fondness, even ten years later!

Unknown said...

This is so sweet and well written. A lovely tribute.

Dori said...

Oh my goodness Allison! I am crying. Thinking of you this weekend!

Katie said...

i'm so sorry allison. what a hard thing to lose a friend. what great and fun memories you had!

The Heart Of A Woman said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. It was a beautiful speech and I can tell she was a beautiful girl. I do hope you and your friends will have many laughs this weekend.

Rach said...

Oh friend, I am so sorry for this loss. This is such a beautiful tribute that the two of you wrote for her. I hope you guys had a good weekend together.