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Stories of Other Loss

Our Girls
by Jackie Wilson Smith, Lenora, U.S.A.

This poem was written to memorialize the lives of my nieces who drowned August 6, 1989. While making the funeral arrangements, my brother and sister-in-law were asked who would write the obituary. Seeing the looks on their faces, I quickly volunteered despite never having written an obituary before. The minister who would perform the service offered the advice “Just look at the obituaries in the paper for examples.” Following this advice, I finished the obituary and realized no one reading it would have an inkling of what my precious nieces were like as people. So this poem was written with love and joy, a celebration of their lives.

OUR GIRLS

Bonnie and Jessi
One brunette, one blonde,
One shy, one outgoing.
Our girls were so different
And yet so much alike.
Sometimes they were identical;
Other times, night and day.
Bonnie preferred being indoors,
Jessi was always outside.
Always sharing their clothes,
And a love for Barbie dolls and books.
Bonnie was quiet and reserved,
Jessi was daring and vivacious.
Both loved animals and songs.
Our girls were loving and sweet.
They were sisters and friends.
Giggling and laughing as only girls do.
Bonnie and Jessi brought us joy,
Gave us kisses, hugs, and love.
Our girls were precious and precocious,
Each touched our lives in a unique way.
Bonnie enjoyed riding bikes and drawing,
Jessi delighted in running and dolls.
Each was special and very much loved.
They were our girls
Bonnie and Jessi.

The poem was read at their funeral service and later it would be engraved on each of their stones. My sister-in-law sent copies of it with the thank you notes. All the books purchased with the memorial funds by the local public library have a copy of it inside the front cover.

Bonnie Sue Wilson (b. April 17, 1983) was a sweet and shy child. Well, she was shy most of the time: when in front of a video camera she turned into an absolute ham! Her feelings were easily hurt and the wrong word would make her cry. She took forever to start talking, but when she did complete sentences came out of her mouth ­ and in a voice far too deep for such a petite little girl. BonBon loved school and was looking forward to learning to read.

Jessica Marie Wilson (b. May 20, 1985) was no push-over. When her older brother and sister wouldn’t go along with what she wanted, she would repeat “Baby” over and over until they gave in. As most children do, Jessi gave herself a haircut. Not just once, several times. Then she started giving her little brother haircuts. When asked why, she replied “Because he held still.” Jessi was big for her age and wore the same size clothes as Bonnie.

On the day of the funeral, when we left the church, I watched the caskets being carried out by 12 men. Some of them I had known many years, some I'd only been acquainted with a short time. Regardless of the length of time I'd known them, I had never seen one of them cry. As I watched them, I realized there wasn't a dry eye among them. Last year, one of those same men told me "I've been a pallbearer many times, but that was the heaviest casket I every carried."

Although their lives were short, Bonnie and Jessi continue to touch people's lives.

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