My Jessie Journal:: Hi Sweet-Pea…It’s your silly daddy missing his baby girl so much. I’m sitting at the kitchen island while JT is doing some homework and he just said…”I miss Jessie”…then his eyes watered…now mine are. We are miss you so much. Loss motived by deep love is so hard. But living without the hope of seeing you again would be even harder. A friend of mine has a 22 year old daughter that he has not heard from or seen in six years. I don’t think it would be as hard as having a child move to Heaven early but I can’t imagine having a child that doesn’t want anything to do with me. Thankfully we have each other and encourage each other in our different types of loss.
Shaya is picking classes for her senior year in HS…wow, I can’t believe she is going to be a senior next year. She is excelling in school just like you did and still swimming for the high school. She decided to take a rest from the swim team so she could focus on school, church and friends. I’m actually really proud of her for make a tough decision with confidence. I thank God you, Shaya and JT all live with a sense of internal confidence and compassion for others. That is all mommy and I want from all of you…confidence in God and who he has made you and compassion for others hurting around you. You lived with great confidence and compassion…a compassion that inspires so many around the world.
I can’t wait for your book to come out inspire more people to Never Ever Give Up not matter how big the hurdle is in life. It’s still super cool that Bethany Hamilton from Soul Surfer and global super star Celine Dion endorsed it. I’m still trying super hard to get Katie Couric to write the foreword. I have tried all of the connections I possibly can think of but nothing so far. I will keep writing to her and others like Ellen.
I got asked to lead this new support group for parents that have lost children. It’s so sad how many people have and I’m glad I can offer help and my story. I hope I can help people move forward one step at a time instead of living life in the rear-view-mirror.
Jess, I love you more than words can describe. I miss you so much my soul screams and my stomach aches. I hold on to memories where you are the star of the show. I will fulfill my promise to you and help every child fighting cancer…Never Ever Give Up! You inspire me!!!
xoxo
daddy