Jenny
Do you remember when you were a kid? I remember living what was more or less a carefree lifestyle. I lived at home with my mom, and I never concerned myself with how the electricity stayed on or how food got on the table. Even my clothes, entertainment, and hobbies were underwritten by Mom (and Grandma) First National Bank. My mom woke me up in the morning to make sure I went to school; everything was more or less done for me. Even when I did finally get a job, the money went towards extras. I bought a new car, had a record collection, and had as much play spending money I could earn each week. Living at home and not playing the role of the adult was fun.
Even looking into the future, my sense of reality was a bit skewed. My mom made real life look easy. She had a good job, and we never struggled (that I knew of.) As a kid, a teenager, and as a young adult, my look into my own future was extremely unrealistic. My dreams consisted of a fun job, a nice car, a big house, and a lavish lifestyle of free time, entertainment, hobbies, and retirement at the age of 65. Afterall, isn’t that the way it’s supposed to go?
When was the last time you heard a kid wonder to themselves, “hey, what are the chances of me dying of renal failure at the age of 36?”
Reality.
Last night my cousin Jenny died after a 10+ years of battling a diseased body. It was put upon her by no choice of her own. Even in those younger years of daydreaming and unrealistic expectations, the reality of what was to come was laying dormant in her genes. She was a month and a half short of her 37th birthday, and is survived by a daughter, both parents, and a younger sister.
17 Responses
PaulsHealthBlog.com
Friday, 19. September 2008
Wow. I’m sorry to hear about your cousin. The reality is, our days are numbered.
We don’t like to think about death, but really, our life is but a vapor.
Because I now have a 17 month old son, Brady, I just hope I’m around for a long time for him.
Daisy the Curly Cat
Saturday, 20. September 2008
My sympathies on the loss of your cousin Jenny.
laane
Saturday, 20. September 2008
I’m so sorry.
I wish her family a lot of strength.
At least you have a careless youth to look back on.
Pam
Saturday, 20. September 2008
It is so painful to loose someone so young. And so difficult to understand. My sympathies to you and your entire family.
workout mommy
Saturday, 20. September 2008
oh, I’m so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family right now.
pam
Sunday, 21. September 2008
I’m so sorry for your and your family’s loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Sassy Mama Bear
Tuesday, 23. September 2008
My heart reaches out to you and all of the family during this time. I lost my cousin at age 35, and worry about my husband and renal failure.
Hugs,
lvs
Tuesday, 23. September 2008
Hey the childhood memories are to be cherished….
Sorry for your loss…
Why are you combining the two?
Laura-Junkfoodaholic
Tuesday, 23. September 2008
Heidi, I’m sorry to hear about your family’s loss. It’s terribly sad that Jenny suffered long and died so young. Death has always taught me more about life than anything else. Life is indeed short and we should cherish every day we’re given and live it like it may be our last. My prayers are with you and your family.
Jennifer
Tuesday, 23. September 2008
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Annalee
Tuesday, 23. September 2008
As the younger sister that Jenny left behind, I want to thank you for writting this wonderful sentiment and for thinking of my sister. She was one of the most caring and forgiving people I will probably ever know. Even when she was told about the discovery of her devestating kidney disease, she still always did what ever she could for whomever needed it. Thank you for taking to the time acknowledge her. Through memoirs such as this, she will live on in our hearts forever. And you are right, as a child, whoever thinks about their death? It is all carefree and worry free; as it should continue on for our entire adult lives.
Mom
Wednesday, 24. September 2008
To all, especially Annalee. Thanks for responding to this posting. You have probably guessed that the ‘family’ is pretty important to us, whether near or far, and we have a sense of closeness. Heidi, even though slightly older, spent a lot of time with Jennifer, her sister Annalee, and their mom, Joyce, my cousin. There are many happy memories of haunted houses in basements at Halloween, Fourth of July picnics and Christmas vistations. We all tried to ensure happy childhoods for our children. I’m glad to hear that Heidi thought hers was pretty idyllic. It was harder than she remembers. But I think it is the good memories that sustain us, and help us through the sad times. Love, Mom
joy
Thursday, 25. September 2008
My condolences to your family.
Life is such a journey, enjoy while still on earth… and let’s make someones else’s life better having us around!
Jaz
Thursday, 25. September 2008
I am so sorry for your family loss. It is never easy to go through this regardless of what the age or how long they have suffered but when they are young, it is much harder. We will put you and your family on our prayer list.
Jeff Iversen
Friday, 26. September 2008
My mother died of Alzheimer’s last year. Her death was a severe mercy. She went to a place where there is no more pain, no more tears and no more dying. I will miss her but I’m glad her misery is over.
I’m sorry to hear about your cousin. Her life was cut short by an ugly disease. It motivates me to help more people to prevent a dormant killer gene from raising it’s ugly head in the first place. Sometimes it can be stopped.
Intend to fight. Join me?
purpledsky
Monday, 29. September 2008
I’m so sorry to hear about your cousin Jenny. Wish her family strength to get through this.
Cascia @ Healthy Moms
Saturday, 11. October 2008
How awful! I’m sorry to hear about your cousin. We never know when it is “our time.” We should always be prepared. Jenny and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.