Dear Jackie,

It is 9/11 today. The world is remembering what our country went through 12 years ago. Not to be selfish, but I am thinking of what you had to go through for 14 months. I miss and today I want to talk about the funny Jackie.

You could make anyone laugh with your stories. You mostly laughed at yourself and your husband, Chris. You could take just one little thing and turn it into the funniest story anyone had ever heard.

I know most people have already heard the story of when you and your family were visiting in North Carolina. Your kids were still small, maybe 8 and 12 years old. I am just guessing.

Anyway, the kids were doing each other’s hair, some neighborhood kids came over, and they were all having so much fun. That is until someone said, "I think that kid might have lice.” Oh my GOD! You went into a tailspin. You packed all your stuff and said we were all leaving. It scared you to death. You had heard that putting kerosene on your heads would kill them, and so you wrapped everyone’s head in aluminum foil and headed back to Texas. You, Chris, Joshua, and Heather had your heads covered in foil, twisted at the top, like aliens, and off you went to Texas.

People in cars looked at you like, “What was that?” I think Heather even stuck her tongue out at people once or twice as you traveled on down the highway. Then came time to stop for gas. So Chris was starting to take the foil off and of course, you said, “Oh no you are not! He said, "Well Jackie, I can't get out and pump gas with this on my head!” You answered that with, "You will so or you are getting back in this car!" So Chris put gas in the car with his head covered in foil as if everything were normal. Onto Texas you went. When you got home, you all slept in lawn chairs for weeks until you were satisfied that they were no more lice. 

That story will always be one of your stories that no one will ever forget. I miss that laugh of yours. You told things with such truth and you always made things funny.

Later I will tell the one about you, Chris and the garbage can. I still crack up at that one.

Sister, I love you, and you know how much I miss you. I think of you every day. You are my partner in my work. Without you, I would not get through some of my days. You push me to keep going. I take you to work with me always. I hear you talking to me. That might sound crazy to some, but I need it.

Before I tell any of the other funny stories about you Jackie, I might want to check with Chris first.

Goodnight.

Love you.