Friday, October 31, 2008

The View

Bryn had a great time at school today. She was very cute as a Scarecrow and I especially liked her singing her Scarecrow song with all of the other kindergartners. I was very proud of Jadyn; she wasn't ready to go back to school but she went with me to hear Bryn sing. Jess always went to all of the kids' functions at school whereas I just went to the most important ones. I will be at their functions as much as I can now because as someone at the Viewing pointed out I have big shoes to fill. I feel like I am missing half of myself without Jess, but need to be twice the person. I am so thankful that each of my girls has her own circle of support in addition to our extended family here. I am glad I don't have to raise them on my own and that lots of people will help me look after them.

Jadyn and I went to see Jess on our own about 2:30. I was very thankful for just the two of us to be there before anyone else got there. It was hard for her to see her mommy, but I was glad I took her at the same time realizing it would have been too hard for Bryn. I didn't take either of them to the Viewing tonight, instead the Yikes went Trick-or-Treating with our Pastor Jason and his family tonight. They had a great time but like me are exhausted. Katelyn went with me but rather than stay the whole time, she was able to leave to go a Halloween party at a friend's house.
I met three of her teachers tonight and was so impressed by them. All three of them possess a quality I can only define as "more than a teacher."

I liked talking to people at the viewing tonight because I got here what Jess meant to them and to hear brief stories about her. It amazes me how Jess has really effected our whole community and beyond. Jessa thought of herself as an ordinary person with an amazing faith but ended up being extraordinary. I also thought it was pretty cool that so many showed up in support of the members of our extended family. Before tonight I did not realize that so many of them have had great support as they journeyed with Jessica.

I heard several people telling stories about our wedding day. So much happened it will go on several posts, but tonight I will at least tell you about how I almost didn't make it. It was a bitter cold day that would soon turn into ice storms. Nick Chuquin, my best man at our wedding drove me to the wedding. I had a Mitsubishi Eclipse at the time and it started acting funny. The radio started cutting in out and then the interior lights dimmed and then went out. That's when my alternator went out and my car died on the side of the road. It was before the days of everyone having cell phones so we decided to walk to the nearest gas station to call the church. I imagined Jess sarcastically saying, "Sure, your car broke down..." We might not have made it on-time if it hadn't been for an eagle-eyed Aunt Sandy. She spotted us on the way to the church and picked us up. I made the mistake of joking that I needed to find Jessica's wedding ring because I had dropped it. It was a mistake because of the many retellings of this story, some people have come to believe I actually did drop the ring but was able to find it. Tomorrow I will tell what happened to Jessica on the way to our wedding.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Jake, I am so glad I got to meet you and tell you thanks for allowing me to be a part of the Kaylor family journey. I started reading the blog last spring and became a faithful reader. I read to check in on Jessica, but I think the main I reason I read was to receive the inspiration and hope that was revealed with each post. May you find comfort in knowing that Jessica is home with her Savior and free of pain.
Blessings to you and your precious girls and the rest of the family.
Beverly

Anonymous said...

Jake, Girls, & Family I am so sorry for your loss. Jessica was the most precious, Godly woman I have ever met. She has impacted many people in a mighty way. She will continue to impact lives. Jessica is impacting my life. God is using Jessica this very moment to draw me closer to Him. Jake, thank you for continuing to post! I am happy Bryn had a great day at school! Praying for you and your family. Peace In Christ, pam gillum

Anonymous said...

Jake, your blogs are still an inspiration to us! Just be careful trying to be both Jake and Jessica to the girls. You're only one person and you will wear yourself out quickly. After everything calms down, try to find the balance between the too. You're already a wonderful father to those, they couldn't ask for more.
You're in our prayers.
Jessica Strength

Anonymous said...

I have been following the blog that she and her husband have been posting. WOW, what amazing people they are. I know that it is good that she is no longer in pain and has gone home, but when I look at the pictures of those lovely little girls my heart aches. This family is truly a testament to the glory of the Lord, and is continuous love. If you have a chance please pass along our family’s prayers and let them know that we hold them in very high regard. We will be praying that God wraps them in His loving arms at this time and lifts them up to fill all their needs.

Anonymous said...

God's blessings on you all in your time of mourning. May your hearts be relieved that Jessica is in the arms of Christ, and that you are all in His care while your lives continue on this side of heaven.

I'm ashamed to admit that, not only is this my first time to visit your blog (I've been semi-aware of the situation thru Sandy McNutt, when my son was at Wood) and I have a lot of catching up to do, but I literally live right around the corner from you all on Thoroughbred Drive!

I know it sounds a bit much at this point, especially coming from a complete stranger. Jessica's death has been the third such death that has touched us in the past two weeks, in a way that although not directly, it affected those close to us and therefore affects my family as well. I want to help in any way that the Lord will use me. Please know that I will make time to introduce myself as your neighbor and fellow Christian, and also to be of any help to you all in the coming days, weeks, etc. Whether it be to sit with you all, pray with you all, listen to you all....

Unfortunately, since I only found out about Jessica's death last night, I won't be able to attend the funeral today. Again, I hope I don't sound too forward or too pretentious. Just want to let you know that y'all have someone around the corner who is thinking of y'all and praying for y'all.

Time for me to play catch-up on this blog.

In His Name,
Al Rearick
4904 Thoroughbred Dr.

Anonymous said...

Jake, I love that you've posted a link to Jessica's testimony on the blog. I encourage everyone, especially those of you who are new to this blog to check it out.

I also love Jessica's writings about a devotional book she was reading while hospitalized in May. ("Waiting" on 5/3/08 and "Playing Catch Up" on 5/18/08) I think Jess, without realizing it, left us all some advice on how to deal with our questions about her loss.

"...in times of great loss we try to wrap our minds around how something like this could happen. God wants us to let go of getting our arms around it and let God get His arms around you." (quote from Jess's 5/18/08 blog)

May you rest in God's loving arms,
Liz Massey

Anonymous said...

Kaylors, God is with u and always will be!!! He is with y'all through the good times and the bad. Remember...God will always be there and He does everything for a reason and there are many people who love y'all and always will!
We Love You,
The Elrod Family

Anonymous said...

Jake, Nate and I will be praying for your family. We love you and you guys will always have a special place in our hearts.

Nate & Allison Taylor

Anonymous said...

Everyone at young is so sympathetic in realizing what a wonderful person you have lost but we know she is in a much better place everyone misses you and hope you can come back to young soon your family is in our prayers!!!!
-Love,Summer