We spent the last four months of my sister’s life telling each other, “I love you.” Between prayers and tears, we shared laughter and stories, savoring each precious moment together. In those final days with Jenny, I learned the deepest meaning of gratitude – not as an occasion marked on a calendar, but as a profound appreciation for the gift of loving and being loved completely.
My sister lived authentically, without hesitation or apology. For 52 years, she knew exactly who she was and chose the life she wanted. Watching Jenny move through the world with such clarity and purpose shaped me in ways I’m only now beginning to understand. Her strength wasn’t just in how she faced her final journey but in how she embraced every day that came before.
Now, in the quiet moments when I used to reach for the phone to call her, I find myself sitting still, listening for her wisdom. While I deeply miss our conversations, there’s an unexpected grace in these contemplative pauses – these sacred spaces where her voice still guides me.
Recently, our family gathered at Princess Place Preserve, Jenny’s favorite place in Florida, to celebrate her life. Among the ancient oaks and serene waterways she loved so much, we shared photographs and stories, each memory a testament to how profoundly one life can touch so many others. In those shared remembrances, our loss transformed into gratitude for being part of her journey.
As Thanksgiving approaches – my first without Jenny – I find myself reflecting deeply on what it means to be truly grateful. It’s not just about gathering around a table one day a year but about opening our hearts fully to those we love while we can.
I share this with you as both a tribute to Jenny and an invitation. Don’t wait for the perfect moment to tell someone what they mean to you. Don’t hold back your love, thinking there will always be more time.
This Thanksgiving, I’m grateful for the 52 years I shared with my sister Jenny and for all she taught me. I can hear her now pulling a fresh batch of cookies from the oven.
