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.
