Jess' Celebration

Hi folks, Chris here again.

I apologize if it startled you to receive another email from Jess… Though I do hope it also made you smile. And if a tear fell, I hope there was some sweetness alongside the salt in the taste of it. I’ve had to forward some items from Jess’ email to my own and each time it causes my heart to jump, skip a beat, like it stops and swells to capacity at the same time. Actually I have yet to find it’s capacity.

As many already know, Jess’ Celebration of a Life and a Death will be held on her birthday, October 11, which falls on a Saturday this year. It’ll be here in Dayton, Ohio, where Jess and I (and Tucker and Molly and Bodhi) made a little house into a home, and were hugged closely by a special, small midwest city kind of kindness these past 5 years.

I (Chris) have never planned an event like this. Unless you count our wedding wedding, which in truth Jess mostly planned. We had discussions about it though, and both she and I wanted any and everyone who feels moved to attend to come give and receive hugs and support, cry and laugh, eat, drink and be merry So there will be no invitations. My hope is to hear a gajillion stories about Jess from all the many parts of her life, from all of you, and that in that act, I’ll come to know more of her in an even bigger way. My heart, as I imagine your own does, still has room to grow. I hope to help fill each other up.

That said, there is still a logistical side... Like how large of a space we’ll need and how many tables and chairs, and importantly, how many tacos and scoops of ice cream will be enjoyed.

Thank you so much.

In love,
Chris and Jess