I knew Jessica Edge as well as a 'grandpa' can know his high school aged grand daughter's "BFF". She was a big part of our family. Jessica was special. She became part of our "extended family", with her wonderful sense of humor, her happiness to be with her "other family", and her fierce loyalty to my grand daughter, Victoria. She achieved 'daughter' status in my daughter's family very quickly.
Victoria and Jessica were very involved in school activities and Pop Warner football, where both were cheerleaders. Jessica was Homecoming Queen last year. Victoria, the previous years Homecoming Queen, was exhuberant when Jessica was chosen this past season.
That only made the news of Jessica's death hit us harder Thursday night. My grandson answered the phone around 1:30am Friday morning and heard those words no parent wants to hear. Jessica's dad was calling to tell Bob that Jessica had taken the dog out for a walk last night and had never returned. The family searched and found her hanging from a tree in the nearby park. Why, dear Jessica, why? What pain was so great that it would cause a beautiful fourteen year old girl like you to stop it by ending your life?
Dearest Jessica, you had so much wonderful life yet to live. Ninth graders are supposed to be discovering life, growing daily with each new experience, not ending it. Victoria, your closest, BFF, has locked her emotions inside. She loved you as only BFF's can. You know how Victoria is. She 'copes'. But today, tonight, sometime later this week, Victoria will realize she cannot make any sense out of what drove her very best friend to kill herself. She 'talked' to you only last night via the computer and texting. She never sensed what was about to happen.
I know Victoria, and had she had even the tiniest inkling of your depressed state, she would have had you spend the night, or would have been at your house all night. She loved you, Jessica. Now Victoria will have to travel through the rocky road of loss, sorrow, dispair, and anger as part of her recovery.
Jess, we all loved you, and loved having you in our presence. Our hearts are broken. The pain of your loss is too great to comprehend right now. Jessica, dearest Jessica, you will be missed.
Victoria and Jessica were very involved in school activities and Pop Warner football, where both were cheerleaders. Jessica was Homecoming Queen last year. Victoria, the previous years Homecoming Queen, was exhuberant when Jessica was chosen this past season.
That only made the news of Jessica's death hit us harder Thursday night. My grandson answered the phone around 1:30am Friday morning and heard those words no parent wants to hear. Jessica's dad was calling to tell Bob that Jessica had taken the dog out for a walk last night and had never returned. The family searched and found her hanging from a tree in the nearby park. Why, dear Jessica, why? What pain was so great that it would cause a beautiful fourteen year old girl like you to stop it by ending your life?
Dearest Jessica, you had so much wonderful life yet to live. Ninth graders are supposed to be discovering life, growing daily with each new experience, not ending it. Victoria, your closest, BFF, has locked her emotions inside. She loved you as only BFF's can. You know how Victoria is. She 'copes'. But today, tonight, sometime later this week, Victoria will realize she cannot make any sense out of what drove her very best friend to kill herself. She 'talked' to you only last night via the computer and texting. She never sensed what was about to happen.
I know Victoria, and had she had even the tiniest inkling of your depressed state, she would have had you spend the night, or would have been at your house all night. She loved you, Jessica. Now Victoria will have to travel through the rocky road of loss, sorrow, dispair, and anger as part of her recovery.
Jess, we all loved you, and loved having you in our presence. Our hearts are broken. The pain of your loss is too great to comprehend right now. Jessica, dearest Jessica, you will be missed.
1 comment:
My heart and prayers go out to you and your family.
Jim Dorchak
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