My Jessie Journal:: Hi Sweet-Pea! I’m sitting in your room writing this morning. We replaced 
you19bed with a really cozy couch so we could “hang out” with you. Nana make a great photo wall with great pictures from when you were little to just last year. We kept your shelves the way you had them…nice, neat and organized. You loved things to be in their place.
The one thing in your room that causes me to cry every time I see them is your glasses and that silly taped lens I created so you didn’t have double vision. They remind me of your “eyes”…you had the most amazing eyes. Your eyes told me so much…when you were happy, sad, mad, excited…the list goes on. Your eyes told me when you needed a hug or space. Your eyes were the window to your soul. Then in those last hours with you, when you couldn’t talk…your eyes did. They also told us when you left for a much better place. I miss your eyes Jess. They were one of many ways you showed me how much you loved me.
This week I shared a little video with a family that has a daughter that will be with you soon. Please show little Ava around and make sure she is ok. After the video I got a ton of messages asking me how was I able to help another family 6 months after seeing you go to Heaven. I pondered that for the past few days and the only word that comes to me is “LOVE”. Jess you showed me unconditional love, loved everyone you met, your let others into your life, you helped others, you valued other and you knew down deep in you heart…God LOVED you!!! I messaged the people back and explained that I do have massive “loss but I’m not lost all because of God’s Love”. So I took the word LOVE to make it easy to remember for me=).
L- let others in
O- offer your help to others
V- value others and their differences
E- expect a Heavenly Homecoming
Jess, you taught me these things. You modeled these things. You let others in to your life especially during the most painful time where many would isolate themselves. You offered to help others in so many ways like your fun-filled JoyJars. You always valued others and their differences. You also lived with an innocent expectation that we will all be a family again…we will Sweet-Pea!!! Remember, just a “wink”.
As I look around your room and take another mental stroll down memory lane…“LOVE” is everywhere in this room all because you loved God and let his love shine through you. I was just one of the lucky ones to experience your love for a little over 12 years. Thank you!!!
I miss you tons, love you more and will see you soon!!!
xoxo,
Daddy