Story Title: Extraordinary Friend
By: sherri moyer
Jackie was one of my very best friends for 40 years & a co-worker for 20 at Bituminous Ins. where she was forced to retire due to her health. I got her the interview at Bituminous to take my place years ago, but she got the job herself. In true Jacobsen fashion Andrea immediately came down with chicken pox, I believe, so I babysat in order for Jackie to not miss work! Jackie was the definition of a true friend – always there for me, supported me regardless if I was right or wrong, & loved me continually. I tried to be the same for her & she always assured me I was, but then that is what she would say! We always exchanged really mushy birthday cards but the rule was we never opened them in the presence of each other because we knew we would cry! We exchanged many, many wonderful feelings & words with our cards & I still have some today, which I treasure. When she received her diagnosis her only thought was for her family & loved ones – she didn’t want them to go through the pain of her journey. What she didn’t understand was that it was our privilege to go on that journey with her. Her courage & love & trust in God was a true inspiration. Her bravery, dignity & determined fight a lesson for us all. She never gave up her fight until the very end when God’s decision was obvious & we assured her many times it was okay to cross over. My sister, Paulette Phillips, & I were lucky enough to call her friend & sister & were her support system along with her family. An honor for both of us. Jackie & I supported each other in divorces, 2nd marriage for me, childrens’ ups & downs, grandchildren & so many of life’s passages. I will miss her desperately, but I realize God called her home, which is exactly where she deserves to be. We shared so much laughter! Our stories are too numerous to list here. My sister said any time we can do something that would make Jackie happy, then
we had a good day and I believe that is the way she would want it.