'Til we meet again Jenne..

Jenne McCarchy was not only my in-laws neighbor, she was a friend, a daughter, a mother, a grandma. You couldn't spend with her 5 minutes without laughing and feeling that you truly found a trust worthy friend. She might have been on her 60's but she lived and acted like 20's. Originally from Indonesia, she traveled a lot, swam a lot (teaching at YMCA) and even used to have several day cares. Once she had more 80 kids! She was good with children and adults.. She has been leaving with her folks for a number of years to look after them(80's), but now she was looking after her 2-year-old grandson Kaleb during the day since both parents worked full time. I met Jenne when we moved with my in-laws earlier in April this year.. Pretty soon we became good buddies.. she wanted to hang out a lot with us for the social part for Kaleb since Samuel is only a year older than him. And she literally knew all the fun places around Omaha for children. Although I was working part time, we still tried to hang out 3 or 4 times a week. Soon we became good friends. We said good bye when we left to the Island thinking we would see her and Kaleb in a year and a half and still may hang out like this summer...

Three months ago, Jenne was diagnosed lung cancer. Although she started treatment right away, it had already metastasized to several areas through out her body. After being out of the hospital for few weeks she came home to be with her family for the weeks or days she had left. We know plans don't always work the way we want. When we came back in November, I visited her and talked briefly since she was leaving to the hospital again.. Unfortunately by the time she came back, and got to visit her, she couldn't talk or even eat anymore. I still visited her for the last three days before she passed away.

She was always taking care of everybody, but now was every body's turn to take care of her.. at least that is what i told her.. She did more for me than what I did for her. The last night I visited her I reassured her to not be afraid, because Heavenly Father was waiting for her besides a lot of other friends and family. I gave witness of the gospel and the plan of salvation. It doesn't end here, it is just part of the journey and there was much to come. Before I left I sang to her the hymn "till we meet again". The day after Christmas day, Jenne passed away holding Joe's, her father, and her aunt's hands. We miss you Jenne and like the hymn says.. "God be with you 'til we meet again".