I found out two days ago that one of my friends from Provo days passed away from a rare, aggressive form of neuroendocrine cancer. She lived only one month after her diagnosis. I haven't been in touch with Jen except for an email or two and a few brief "pings" on Facebook, since I was married in 1997. Her father sent out a group message on Facebook about Jen's passing. I was stunned, and so sad for her family to lose Jen at such a young age (Jen is a few years younger than me).
I found it baffling when we did connect, that Jen hadn't been snatched up and married. Every guy in our BYU ward would have fallen over themselves if she batted her lashed at them (a few of them did, when she did). We called her "Jen the Goddess" because she had the most amazing head of long, curly hair, and a dancer's figure - perhaps more importantly, Jen had a smile and a laugh that drew all ears and eyes to her. If she turned on the wattage, it was game over. She was truly spontaneous and vivacious - those words get thrown around alot, but they truly fit Jen. I think this was another reason the guys were drawn to her. She wasn't self-concious, so she was always truly enjoying herself and "all in" no matter what the outing entailed. She didn't worry, analyze, overthink, or fuss. Looking back, I think I wanted to be more like Jen because of those attributes, than because of her hair or her figure.
Jen came from a little more "money" than most of us, yet she was always generous. She had lots of clothes in her closet that still had tags on them, but she'd dress us up in them in a heartbeat for a special night out or a date. Jen was kind; I truly don't remember her ever being mean-spirited to anyone.
From what few connections we've had in the last 13 years, I've gathered that Jen remained single but went on to have a highly-successful career, making trails of friends with every office and city move she made. She was living in NYC when she passed; I imagine she wore that town out with her adventurous, life-embracing spirit and energy.
I am sorry that she is gone, but I know where she is. I am so glad that on Saturday in Fresno, her family is having a "Celebration of Jen's Life", rather than calling it a funeral (they are LDS). For truly, she lived a great one.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Oy vey!
We are Mormon, not Jewish, but this phrase is heard around our home all the time. It is a Yiddish exclamation of frustration or dismay, that literally means, "Oh, woe", but in our home it more closely aligns with "you've got to be kidding me". I don't know if Seinfeld could be to blame ...
Anyhoo, it quite captures the tenor of our home the last 3 months+, particularly since I was asked to serve in our stake Primary presidency. The pace hasn't been blistering, but it's a little nuts, even with me trying to avert my eyes from the Cub Scout elephant in the proverbial room. Three ward conferences, one new leader training, one general board training, 5 presidency meetings, one stake council ... and this has been during a period of relative downtime for my Scoutmaster husband. Every change brings with it a new normal, and we're still getting the hang of it.
Our 17-month old toddler Sabrina is no longer a walking baby, but a little girl, teeny pigtails and all. She is a charmer, with a curveball pout that she uses regularly to get her way and her wants. We adore her, in spite of some spectacularly cranky evening episdoes. She doesn't say many words yet: ca-ca (cookie), Da-da, ma-ma, ow-sy (outside), no (very well), and she will say ee-aw if you say donkey. She actually does a good little handful of animal sounds.
Emma was baptized in December. It was a lovely evening for us, spiritually. I wrote a big journal entry on it. Imagine that! Journalling instead of blogging :)
We are in the midst of special school projects: Emma was Abraham Lincoln in her 2nd grade presidential wax museum yesterday (they "come to life" when they are approached and tell about themselves). Harrison is doing a diorama for "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" Book 1, and no doubt science fair will follow shortly thereafter for both of them (joy!). And then, suddenly, the school year will be winding down, and we'll be eyeing our summer plans ... April and May always seem to fly. Whereas, January seems eternal sometimes.
I keep going to the gym. And going, and going. I work hard, and I'm always glad I went and pushed it. I will be 40 years old in just over 2 months. It doesn't freak me out; age never really has. But I'd like to be getting it together, rather than coming apart, for my 40th. A work in progress, still!
We got a Wii for Christmas; it is a novelty, and the only game system that I remotely approved of. The kids have been more apt to get their requisite chores done in order to have their turns on it after school. Still, overall, I'm not quite sure it lives up to the hype. I still wish that my kids' first instinct was to run out and play rather than run for the controllers. A different age, right?
Well, I need to get going on our taco salad dinner. Life is good - just a little exasperating and exhausting ... and overly chilly. I think I'm actually ready for spring this year.
Anyhoo, it quite captures the tenor of our home the last 3 months+, particularly since I was asked to serve in our stake Primary presidency. The pace hasn't been blistering, but it's a little nuts, even with me trying to avert my eyes from the Cub Scout elephant in the proverbial room. Three ward conferences, one new leader training, one general board training, 5 presidency meetings, one stake council ... and this has been during a period of relative downtime for my Scoutmaster husband. Every change brings with it a new normal, and we're still getting the hang of it.
Our 17-month old toddler Sabrina is no longer a walking baby, but a little girl, teeny pigtails and all. She is a charmer, with a curveball pout that she uses regularly to get her way and her wants. We adore her, in spite of some spectacularly cranky evening episdoes. She doesn't say many words yet: ca-ca (cookie), Da-da, ma-ma, ow-sy (outside), no (very well), and she will say ee-aw if you say donkey. She actually does a good little handful of animal sounds.
Emma was baptized in December. It was a lovely evening for us, spiritually. I wrote a big journal entry on it. Imagine that! Journalling instead of blogging :)
We are in the midst of special school projects: Emma was Abraham Lincoln in her 2nd grade presidential wax museum yesterday (they "come to life" when they are approached and tell about themselves). Harrison is doing a diorama for "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" Book 1, and no doubt science fair will follow shortly thereafter for both of them (joy!). And then, suddenly, the school year will be winding down, and we'll be eyeing our summer plans ... April and May always seem to fly. Whereas, January seems eternal sometimes.
I keep going to the gym. And going, and going. I work hard, and I'm always glad I went and pushed it. I will be 40 years old in just over 2 months. It doesn't freak me out; age never really has. But I'd like to be getting it together, rather than coming apart, for my 40th. A work in progress, still!
We got a Wii for Christmas; it is a novelty, and the only game system that I remotely approved of. The kids have been more apt to get their requisite chores done in order to have their turns on it after school. Still, overall, I'm not quite sure it lives up to the hype. I still wish that my kids' first instinct was to run out and play rather than run for the controllers. A different age, right?
Well, I need to get going on our taco salad dinner. Life is good - just a little exasperating and exhausting ... and overly chilly. I think I'm actually ready for spring this year.
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