Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Happy Birthday Jenny

Not this Jenny:



That Jenny is actually a namesake for this Jenny:




Today is Jennifer Alicia Neddo's 31st birthday. At least, it would be if she hadn't been killed by a drunk driver 14 years ago. (Deseret News coverage of the accident here.)

14 years.

I can't believe it's been that long.

Jenny was my best friend. She was kind, good, loving, creative, and fun. And she had amazing hair. She was like a sister to me, and when I lost her it was like losing half myself. The bulk of my childhood memories are of things I did or imagined with her. She was a good example to me and I believe I was and am a better person than I would have been without her in my life.


We are 13 years old in this picture, taken after coming in from playing in the rain.

There are lots of stories I could tell you about her. Suffice it to say that I loved her. Still do, in fact.

Happy birthday Jen, Jenn, Jenny, Jennie (she liked to rotate her name spelling), also known as Bob.
It's been 14 years since I've seen you, and I still miss you.

2 comments:

Joanne said...

I have heard you speak of Jenny many times. It's nice to see her picture, and put a face to the name. Thanks for posting it.:)

Susan said...

I sent this, the closing words of a book I just finished, to Emma in an email yesterday. Here's another chance to use what touched my heart, a quote from Hellen Keller:

"What we once enjoyed and deeply loved, we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes part of us."

You loved Jenny, she loved you, and you will always be part of each other. I find a good deal of comfort in that.