JACOB CONNER - For being quick with a hug and kiss for your mother, though you have no memory of being held or kissed by her. For being a perpetually joyful 5-year-old, bursting with the purity of childhood and giving Jenny endless opportunities to laugh at your antics. For genuinely and instinctively loving her and for trying to understand what it meant when she entered into Heaven. If only you could understand how much she loved you and Joshua. Maybe you will when you hold your own child one day.
MY PARENTS - Judson and Catherine Conner for providing critical financial support during the last few months of Jenny's life so she would not have to die alone in a nursing facility. For supplying resources from afar to provide Jenny with necessary comforts over the years, outside those provided by medical insurance. For never abandoning your wounded or forgetting your dead, even as Jenny's family deserted her.
OLLIE BOTHELLO and FLORA LEATH - The two sisters who faithfully visited Jenny and tended to her spiritual and natural needs. For taking care of her boys and for being her friend from the first day. For never walking out on her or forgetting about her during the long years of her suffering.
LORI MANZO - For faithfully tending to Jenny's grooming over the years, even when it was not convenient. For washing and cutting her hair and bringing hours of joy to her with each visit. For being genuine and real with your faith. You did so much to help preserve Jenny's natural beauty even as her body failed.
MICHELLE WELLS - For being there for me since 1991, through the very worst of my life, and for never turning away - even when I was broken at the knees. For teaching me more about God's love and forgiveness than anyone else and for letting me cry.
DEBRA HAINES - For understanding the journey and helping me to see and receive after Jenny died. For being tough and honest with me. For knowing Jenny's story and keeping her alive and her message fresh.
LINDA PAKIZER - For being Jenny's closest friend and developing a unique bond with us that proved to be very special. The arrogance of many will never allow them to understand the good you did during those unspeakably difficult years.
TEACHERS and STAFF at PAGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - For caring for Joshua and Jacob during Jenny's last few months in a manner normally expected of a church. For showing them love and being far more than their teachers and administrators.
OTHERS:
Margaret Black
Van Hill
Dottie Haskell
Ray & Gloria Conner
Dan & Barbara Conner
Wanda Buchannon
The nurses and staff members at Gaston Home Health
Staff at Christ Episcopal Church, Charlotte, NC
The countless people who delivered meals and visited Jenny over the years.
My friends from work who proved themselves caring and compassionate.
All those who valued mercy and love for Jenny more than the approval of misguided and manipulative charlatans.