A Loss — RIP Jaymie Darrow
As a twenty-two year old, I am fortunate to have not lost any close loved ones, however there have been four people who I was moderately close to that passed away. The first, whose name is escaping me, was in seventh grade when a fellow student who I shared classes, and occasionally ate with, died from cancer. The second and third were Angela Nguyen and Jonathan Kendall. I met Angela freshmen year of college and later Jonathan when she began dating him. They were traveling with some friends in the Bay Area during Winter break of our junior year when their vehicle rolled and engulfed in flames; three others survived. Finally a little over an hour ago I was told Jaymie Darrow, who lived a few houses down the street from me at UCSB, was found in the water near a La Jolla Palomar Mountain campsite. The cause of death is uncertain at this time, but it appears there was no foul play.
I would not say I was very close to any of these people at the time of their death, but nonetheless in each case I have been uneasy about how to react. It is sad to no longer have these people with us, but at the same time death is a part of life. I live life aware that I could die at any moment and when I think of my own death, I only concern myself with how others will react. Should I die tomorrow I feel my death would be a terrible burden on my parents, and others close to me, but that is my only concern.
Therefore when a person passes away, I try to think of how they would want us to view their death. Not knowing Jaymie very well, all I know is she was a highly energetic and positive person. From this I can only deduce that Jaymie would want us to think of her death in a positive light. Thus I have this to say:
Jaymie,
I am glad I had the opportunity to meet you and hang out the few times that we did. Your death, as tragic as it is, will only strengthen my memory of you and the times we shared. This tragedy is a reminder that friends and family members will not always be around and therefore that we should make the most out of the time we have with them. Jaymie, you will be missed, but not forgotten.
Rest in peace.
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Comments
Comment from Cheri @ Blog This Mom!
Time July 22, 2008 at 1:56 am
Brycie~
How did you become so smart and wise and sensitive and mature at such a young age? You floor me. You always have.
I heard about this girl’s death too. I think she was a Poway High student at one time, but I might be wrong.
Anyway, as far as life and death, while you’re here on Earth, keep being just like you are. You make the world a better place.
Oh, and make your little brother go to college too.
Comment from Terry
Time September 3, 2008 at 12:45 pm
I was at the La Jolla Indian Reservation.Jaymie
had met my daughter’s and their friends earlier
during the day. It was my oldest daughter that finally
got thru to 911 and it was my youngest daughter who assisted
with the rescue attempt. My youngest daughter along with her friend assisted in the attempt to get Jaymie to breath and was still working on her when the paramedics arrived. My youngest daughter has been greatly effected by this expierence and needs to get professional help to deal with the fear she now
has due to this expierence. She would not have done anything
different, but she did not realize how profound this expierence
would effect her and therefore her whole family. Although we had only met Jaymie that day her life and death will be part of
our memories for a long to come.
Comment from melissa
Time July 20, 2008 at 6:21 pm
i stumbled upon your blog while trying to find out more information about what happened to my beloved little jaymie… and i just wanted to say thank you for your insightful words. i was jaymie’s manager at the food co-op, and we are planning a celebration of her life up here in isla vista. vegan potluck (she was a vegan, always looking for more reasons to potluck) and a michael jackson dance party (mj was in her soul, and dancing is what you do to mj) blowout will happen sometime in the next week. like you said, her love of life and positivity were unmatched… and we’re sending her off with the kind of party that she would have loved. please stop by the co-op (if you still live in town) if you want to attend. thank you again for your words.–mel