My beautiful little sister, Jalidia passed away unexpectedly on March 13th, 2010, she never woke up that morning. Jalidia was only 15 years old. The past two weeks have been so terribly difficult, I miss her and want so badly to just hold her in my arms and tell her how deeply I love her, and how grateful I am that Heavenly Father made us sisters, I know she knows how I feel but I wish I could tell her again.
Jalidia was born September 13, 1994 in the country side around Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She was abandoned as a small child, and was taken care of by various neighbors until she entered an orphanage in Addis Ababa at nine years of age. Jalidia was 11 years old when members of my family first met her in the orphanage, and fell in love with her, and knew she was meant to be in our family. My family immediately put all of their energy into efforts to adopt her, and brought her home just before her 13th birthday.
Most of us who were blessed to know Jalidia knew little of the pain and the heartache she experienced as a young child alone in the world in Ethiopia. She experienced so much pain in her short life that it's hard for most of us to even imagine, or comprehend. But what I will always remember of my sweet little sister is her beautiful smile and happy eyes, she could light up a room with that smile, and I will always miss it, and her cute little giggle and sense of humor. She was kind and loving to all those around her, and would reach out those around her who needed extra love.
Words are inadequate to express my deep love and admiration for my little sister. All I can say is, I love you Jalidia, I miss you Jalidia, and I look forward to the day that we will be together again.
God be with you until we meet again Sweet Sister, I love you from the bottom of my heart.
This picture was taken last summer, the last time we were all together as a family.
How grateful I am for a loving Heavenly Father who gave his Son, Jesus Christ so that we can all live again.
I know that I will see Jalidia again one day, and my family will be together again,
whole and complete,
FOREVER.
I Love you Jalidia.
Loved you yesterday, Love you still, Always have,
Always will!
13 comments:
What a beautiful tribute to Jalidia. She radiates so much love and light through her beautiful eyes and smile. I can't wait for the day when your family will be reunited again. Until then she and Omi will be watching over you.
That was so beautiful. I cant begin to imagine the sorrow and emptiness your all feeling. There are so many out here praying and thinking of all of you. What an amazing and beautiful tribute for such a beautiful girl
Jess, this is a beautiful tribute to your darling sister. I love seeing so many pictures of her. She truly is a beautiful girl, with beautiful smile and light in her eyes. I wish I could have met her. What an absolute miracle for her to come from having nothing in Etheopia to becoming part of such an amazing and loving family. She was so blessed to be in your family. She must be such a strong spirit for Heavenly Father to have placed her where he did and taken her when he did.
Again I am so sorry for the heartache you are all going through. You are all continually in my prayers. I will be forever grateful to you, your Mom and family for the love and support you gave me during what was truly the hardest time of my life. I love you all so much and I'm thinking of you each day. I pray you will all be comforted by the spirit and feel of our Father in Heaven and our Savior's love for your family. All my love!
Thank you for posting all the beautiful pictures of Jalidia and your sweet family. That was a lovely tribute. You all are still in my thoughts and prayers every day. May the Lord continue to bless and comfort each one of you.
What a beautiful post Jessica. Jalidia was so blessed to be in such a wonderful family and I know you will all be with her again someday. I'm sure she is smiling down on you all.
Love to you all!!
HD
I LOVE YOU SO VERY MUCH MY SWEET DAUGHTER JESSICA...THANK YOU!
~MOM~
Jessica, you are such a sweet, sweet, special girl. We are so blessed to have you in our family.
You are so sensitive to the spirit and wrote such a beautiful tribute to your sister. It had to have been very difficult and you were probably crying the whole time, and so did I as I read it. Your family is so special and loving and welcoming to such special spirits. What a beautiful girl Jalidia was and is. You and your family are still in our thoughts and prayers. Nothing can take the pain away except time, but you have the beautiful memories of your sweet sister that will last a lifetime, and eventually you will be together again. Aren't we grateful for the knowledge we have of the plan of salvation.
I know my words have been simple, but it is hard to convey my feelings accurately through words, so please know that we love you so much and that we are here for you. Sure love you!
Joanne
That was lovely Jessica. Thanks for all the pictures! I love Jalidia!
Our prayers are with you and your family. Thankfully, you know just as well as I--that families are forever and your sister is in the greatest comfort one could have. We will be sure to keep your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Jessica I'm so sorry for your loss! I enjoyed looking at all the wonderful pictures of your family - they seem like such wonderful people. Although we know that the Atonement makes it possible to see our family again, we still miss them while we are apart! I hope you feel the comfort of the Lord as you go through this time in your life!
That's such a beautiful post! Jalidia is such a beautiful young women. Your family is still in our prayer! Love ya!
Jessica, I am so sorry for your loss, especially one so sudden and unexpected. I am grateful, though, that Jalidia was able to become part of such a wonderful family and that you will all be able to be together again.
Jessica. What beautiful words and what a beautiful girl. You truly do have an amazing family.
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