Although technically born a Jew, I was raised evangelical Protestant and then later converted to Catholicism, but would currently describe myself as an agnostic atheist (who none the less respects everyones spiritual journey). Although I have the language to speak in religious terms, it currently wouldnt be authentic to me. So my tribute to Jessica may sound a little different, and long winded, but please bear with me. I believe that in this vast, mainly empty universe, a precious and unique gift of life was given to this planet, and an even more spectacular and singular achievement of that life is our spark of humanity. This is truly a rare ability of life, to see beyond our own needs and wants and to connect to those near and far, known or unknown in a deep and meaningful way. To see others as self, to suffer when they suffer, to rejoice in their joy, to yearn for others to succeed without expectation of gain. An ability to see a stranger as family and offer refuge. And the pinnacle, to see all as one, that no one is truly independent of one other; to see that when another diminishes, we diminish; when another prospers, we prosper. This is the spark we are all given. How we use that spark defines us. Do we feed it with compassion and empathy until it grows into a great flame, or due we stifle it with selfishness and greed? Do we share it far and wide, or do we hoard it to ourselves and those familiar to us? For our spark can make a difference, or none at all. When it comes to Jessica, I can say that I have been warmed by her brilliant flame of humanity since we first met. Ive seen it reflected in the lives of her clients, in her friends and family, in her husband Joe and in my husband Chip. Jessica gave of herself freely and without hesitation, without regard to whether she knew you from birth as family or just met you. I ,as others, ache at the absence of her comforting warmth and uniquely abundant generosity, her inability to give in to despair, whether in tragedies of family and friends, or in her own illness. Jessica instead chose Hope, offering the prospect that anything could be overcome if we joined ourselves to a common good and chose joy over sorrow, life over death. Her ability and desire to connect us all to this ideal elevated us and inexplicably changed us for the better. In all this, Jessica exemplified most fully the greatest gift of our humanity, Love. So whether there truly is a life after this, or not, I choose to follow the path Jessica would want, to not give in to despair, but instead choose Hope. Jessica chose to fan her spark into a blazing and wondrously inviting light. Chose to share it freely with those who would accept it, and in doing so, she become a part of us all. And now when I see her friends, I see Jessica. When I see her family, I see Jessica. When I see her beloved and devoted husband, I see Jessica. When I see my loving husband, I see Jessica. When I see my self, I see Jessica. And someday, when I see my children, I will see Jessica, and in this, will she truly live forever.
Posted on: Fri, 18 Jul 2014 16:31:59 +0000
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