Dearest Jennel,
How could anyone adequately express in just a few words all of the varied emotions that I, and the family, are experiencing. I will not try to do so, but will instead share a few highlights of Jennel’s life as a daughter, aunt, cousin, sister in law and sister.
As a daughter, Jennel was loving, respectful, thoughtful, diligent and responsible. All the things that we hope our own children will reflect as adults. Our parents did not have to remind her twice what she needed to do – well, at least not as an adult. She soaked up all the instruction and advice she received over the years and reflected it back in the way she responded to life. She knew what was expected of her and did it without complaining.
As an aunt, she was the “cool” one. She related to her nieces and nephews in a way that even their parents did not always do. She understood their language, their music, and their challenges and was there for them as a resource and sometimes counselor.
As a cousin, Jennel kept in touch. Not very easy to do in a time when the frantic pace of life makes time a scarce commodity. She tried to make as many of the extended family get togethers as possible. She was real, grounded and relatable.
As a sister-in-law, she was the young girl who grew up and matured into a well-balanced, capable and engaging adult. She engendered feelings of pride and affection.
I saved sister for last because, well, I am her sister and so I can speak from the heart all that she meant to us. Jennel was one of a kind, thoughtful, generous with her time and resources, extremely funny and a joy to be around. She was the life of the party. She lit up the room with her presence. But I think her most enduring legacy will be the way she dealt with her almost two years of illness. She never complained. She continued to be respectful and patient to the end. It amazed me at the way she always responded to our many phone calls, emails and texts (especially from the siblings living in the US). To receive a Christmas card from her, in her own handwriting, less than a month before her passing, speaks to her persistence and perseverance in seeing things through to the end. She carried herself with a grace and dignity that I am yet to find in anyone else, especially during those pain-filled days and nights.
No, she did not lose. We gained. She is home now. Her eternal home. The one that was planned for her by her heavenly Father. We will not pretend to understand. May never understand this side of heaven, but we will choose to trust God’s heart, to believe that His love for her far surpassed our love for her. She will live on forever in our hearts and in our memories. We have an assurance that we will see her again and so for now we will simply say ‘au revoir’ – until we meet again.
Love always,
