I have
taken a small break, until now, for a reason. The world lost someone very
special to many people. A young person who struggled and fought a disease that
chose her. She was a hard working young person who had started her career in
college, which ended too short, to fight the disease that eventually took her
life from everyone around her. Nataia was a loving, caring daughter, sister,
and friend to many who she has touched on such a personal level, she forever
had a listening ear. She was hard working, and had a strong will for life. She
had a smile on her face, always. She had compassion in her life for those
around her, and it was endless.
I heard
the news and my heart broke, it was shattered because in retrospect this young
Nataia grew up around me, through her mom, Jen’s, stories. I had the honor of
working with Jen in the backroom for many years. It was a privilege to work
with someone that had the same interest in family on the level that she had.
She spoke about Nataia and her son, Kadeem, endlessly, and we shared many
stories of our family life in between the job. So in a sense her children grew
up around me. The look in Jen’s eyes, a sparkle, really, was the love she had,
I knew this. Jen smiled often, laughed, and her love was so deep for her
children.
When I
heard of Jen’s loss, I couldn’t believe it, a close friend had lost someone who
she’d fight and die for. Nataia, who will never be replaced in Jen’s life, and
my thoughts were broken and dark realizing that Jen was facing this; I’m sure,
with such a heavy heart, and many sleepless nights thereafter. I cried for her loss, I’m sad for Nataia’s
family and friends. Jen has a strong connection with people and a hard work
ethic that is incomparable to those around her and to have this precious piece
of her heart gone is a heavy burden. Jen’s empathy for others often far outweighed
her own sadness or problems and I pray for her continuously through this loss,
through these times that may create doubt in her mind of many things. The
questions, the endless pain, will, with the love of her family and friends,
help to make it easier, but never bring Nataia back.
Nataia,
in Jen’s life was a shining force, and she earnestly inherited it from being
raised by a mother who had much love and compassion for that which meant the
most to her, her family. A piece of that family is missing, a piece that is
Nataia, and the piece can never be retrofitted, but only thought about often,
her memories still a strong presence in the lives she touched. She was needed
somewhere and the need caused a big hole in the heart of many. Nataia, on your
journey, you will always be thought about, you will forever create tears that
travel down our cheeks, and your wings can now be spread far and wide to reach
the place we all dream about, the place called home. Thank you, Jen, for
touching my life and sharing your family with me, and thank you Nataia for being
a smiling face to me whenever I’d see you.
