This was first posted in September of 2009, shortly after the passing of Jennifer Tinker, my student. \u00a0On this anniversary of her passing, this seems a good time to remember her beautiful life. \u00a0Here’s the original post:<\/p>\n
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When I walked into Jennifer’s hospital room, I was initially surprised at the number of people present.\u00a0 The pediatric intensive care unit doesn’t usually allow more than a few visitors at a time. The hospital staff was letting us say goodbye.<\/p>\n
Peggy and I hugged.\u00a0 There are no words for a mother at a time like this.\u00a0 Then we both turned to Jennifer.\u00a0 She was unconscious, breathing like my father had breathed during his last twenty four hours.\u00a0 I noted the display of her vitals, grim confirmation of the obvious.\u00a0 Family members were present that I had not yet met. \u00a0Introductions were made, and I sat down with silent prayers of support for a family in indescribable pain.<\/p>\n
Conversations would start and stop. \u00a0Grandma softly sang hymns while stroking Jenny’s face.\u00a0 Big sister Sarah leaned from her chair and partly lay across Jennifer. \u00a0(Maybe, if she could just hold tightly enough\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6)\u00a0 Jennifer would occasionally open her eyes, look around briefly, then go back to sleep.\u00a0 I was told that she had roused earlier in the day, alert enough to demand the remote control for the TV.\u00a0 Hey, Tom and Jerry rocks.<\/p>\n
Jennifer was born with a rare genetic disorder which resulted in a host of problems, including legal blindness, skeletal anomalies, learning difficulties and pulmonary hypertension, a fatal disorder of the heart and lungs.\u00a0 \u00a0She attended public school for a time, but became too frail to continue.\u00a0 Our school district contacted me and asked if I would be interested in teaching Jennifer in her home.\u00a0 After meeting with Jennifer and her mother, I gladly accepted the position.<\/p>\n
Jennifer’s house was modest.\u00a0 She had three sisters still living at home, and they all shared one bedroom.\u00a0 There was no father.\u00a0 Peggy, fiercely devoted to her children, seemed undaunted by her many challenges, drawing strength from extended family, church, and her Lord.\u00a0 Jennifer was surrounded in love by a family that had truly learned to treasure what’s important in this life.<\/p>\n
I quickly grew accustomed to her oxygen tank and was even able to avoid stepping on the tubing that accompanied Jennifer everywhere she went.\u00a0 After a little more time, I nearly stopped seeing them altogether.\u00a0 Jennifer was just \u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 Jennifer.\u00a0 Fourteen years old when I met her, she only weighed about sixty pounds, but she had a big attitude.\u00a0 She was assertive, even stubborn, and her family and I would have it no other way.<\/p>\n
Sweet Pea, one of two tiny canine family members, merely tolerated my presence, but she and Jennifer adored one another.\u00a0 When Jennifer was feeling worse than usual, Sweet Pea would hop into her lap, seeming to comfort both of them.\u00a0 In turn, Jennifer took excellent care of her dogs, leaping to their defense when I threatened one or both of the creatures with barbecue sauce.<\/p>\n
Jennifer and I worked out of a small room Peggy had set up for that purpose.\u00a0 This room was Jennifer’s domain, and she took great pride in her school work and in keeping her materials organized. \u00a0It never ceased to amaze and sometimes shame me that Jennifer accepted her many limitations without complaint. She was determined to find the good in all situations and never missed an opportunity to laugh.\u00a0 Once, we read through\u00a0The Three Billy Goats Gruff.\u00a0 When I asked what the troll had in mind for the goats, Jennifer gleefully replied, “He wants to eat them!”\u00a0 She licked her lips. Then she giggled.\u00a0 Oh, that giggle…\u00a0 It filled the room and made you laugh right along.<\/p>\n
Jennifer was generous.\u00a0 Sometimes I arrived at her home to find a brownie or some other example of her growing culinary skills waiting for me.\u00a0 When my son had surgery, she sent him a homemade get-well card.\u00a0 This required Jennifer to hold her face about three inches from the paper while she worked on the greeting. \u00a0She certainly wasn’t going to let a small annoyance like legal blindness stop her from encouraging another.<\/p>\n
Jennifer’s life was worth living, and she lived it well.\u00a0 I’ve heard some say she is “resting<\/em>\u00a0in peace,” but I see her running for the first time.\u00a0 Running, running, running\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 into her Father’s arms.<\/p>\n Jennifer Monique Tinker<\/p>\n January 10, 1994-September 17, 2009<\/p>\n ***********************************************<\/p>\n After Jennifer’s passing, Harmonicminer of these parts composed a choral composition in memory of her. \u00a0Here’s a link and a description<\/a>. \u00a0 With some luck, we’ll be able to post a recording soon.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nShare this:<\/h3>