April 24th...

for me is one of those days you never forget. You never forget where you were or what you were doing when you received devastating news. April 24, 2005 was a Sunday. Jerrad was knee deep into baseball season. We were at MLK watching Jerrads game. Steve and I were talking about houses. We had looked at a new house and were contemplating moving. I remember my mother calling but wouldn't talk to me she wanted to talk to Steve. I thought it was weird and she sounded weird on the phone. She talked to Steve just a minute and he was done. Steve then told me that my cousin Jennifer had collapsed. She was in the hospital and she might not live. I remember immediately calling my dad. It didn't sound good. Of course, I don't remember any of the baseball game after that. Being so far away all I could do was sit and wait for someone to call me back. They finally called later that evening to tell me she had passed away.

Jennifer Diane Wells was born September 1971 and passed away on April 24, 2005. She was only 34 years old. She was a really good person. She had a very loving heart. Growing up the four of us where so close. We were all two years apart. It was Jennifer, me, Andrea and Ryan. Since I moved away we weren't as close. That's what made this really hard too. I didn't see her all the time at church and different places like my mom and sister. To me I feel like she is still in OKC I just only see her when I go home. I have to make myself remember she isn't there.

If Tears Could Build A Stairway

If tears could build a stairway

and memories were a lane

We would walk right up to heaven

And bring you back again.

No farewell words were spoken

No time to say goodbye

You were gone before we knew it

And only God knows why

Our hearts still ache in sadness

and secret tears still flow

What it meant to lose you

No one will ever know

But now we know you want us

To mourn for you no more

To remember all the happy times

Life still has much in store

Since you'll never be forgotten

We pledge to you today

A cherished place within our heart

Is where you'll always stay

Jennifer, Ryan, Andrea, Darla