She has a name!

Before I begin with this post, please let me explain that this post not for self pity or a sad post. This is a post about honoring my sisters’ name.

You may or may not know but my youngest sister, Jessica, took her life a few years ago. For anyone that knew Jess, they knew that she was loved by everyone she met. And once you got to know her you quickly realized she was always looking to help anyone in need. She cared about helping the people she knew as much as the people she didn’t know.

Seattle to Boston

Jess was in the Army as a paramedic. When she got out of the Army she continued her career path in the medical field by going to nursing school. She then met a guy that she fell in love with, they got married, settled in Seattle eventually moving to Boston and she finished her schooling.

Jessica’s husband was Tim. She always said, “There’s two men in her life she that cares about the most.” That would be Tim and I. Little did I realize how much Tim would become one my closest friends. So close that when we talk about each other, we just say we are brothers instead of brother in law. Which feels like it’s what Jess would want to hear as well.

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OK so why am I telling you all this now, years after Jess took her life… Well, Tim and I have talked about a lot ways to commemorate Jessica in a way we feel is best celebrated. There was discussion of plaques, memorials, and other typical things one would do in remembrance of loved ones. However, none of these were exactly what we wanted. Until it came to me. The bus can’t be just call “The Bus“.

The Call

One day I mentioned to Nikki, “What do you think of calling the bus ‘Jess’?” As I said it, I knew it was exactly the perfect fit. I immediately called Tim to ask his opinion. When he answered and I told him what I was thinking, he said, “WOW I love it. And what’s crazy is that you called me at the most insane timing. I’m on a business trip in Tacoma looking out the hotel window and looking directly at Jessica’s place where she last lived.” How crazy is that? It’s almost like she was talking to us, letting us know it was mean to be.

So now she has a name, “Jess”. We get to travel with Jess while she takes Mr Van, Nikki and me all over the country. Stay tuned to see where she takes us.

If you feel like your friend or loved one is hurting, please call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 for immediate help and to speak with someone who knows exactly what’s going on. They are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They also have online chats available and all information is confidential. You can also text “HELLO” to 741741 to be connected with the Crisis Text Line. Be sure to also check out the Suicide Prevention Resource Center where you can see a complete list of resources that are offered state-by-state.