There is something that is impacting the way I feel about others and as much as I try to get to know a person for who they are and not make decisions about them too quickly or based on a small amount of information, it is becoming increasingly difficult when it comes to what I’m
The following is a transcript of the victim’s impact statement I gave for the sentencing of the drunk driver who killed my sister, Elizabeth (Liz). This was read at the sentencing on March 27, 2018. I share the following statement because I believe it provides value far beyond just that day. My name is Jackie.
May the day never come when you are asked to write a letter to the judge to assist him in his sentencing decision for the drunk driver who killed your sister. That day is here for my family. The questions are endless. What can you say in that letter to truly convey how your life
Communication is important, which is nothing new to you. For me, it is a very interesting topic. So interesting that it is what my college degrees are in, and I enjoy continuous study of it. I am currently reading a book called, “We Need to Talk,” by Celeste Headlee. A really good read if you’re
While at the gym recently I was looking around the room, observing. It is one way I learn ideas for new exercises. It wasn’t long before I found myself thinking about the difference in levels of fitness in the room. I started thinking about how everyone in that room got there through a different experience.
I was at a mall recently, sitting in the food court, near a large carousel. I was engaged in one of my favorite pastimes – people watching– when two women entered the mall and made their way toward the carousel. They in their 70s and 80s is my guess. One had a cane and was
Do you know this type person? The person who is clearly up to no good and has ill or selfish intentions with every move he/she makes? Do you ever wonder why more people cannot see the truth about that person or why people are still willing to support him/her when it is so blatantly obvious
When my sister was killed, I was grasping to make sense of the situation. It wasn’t fair, it wasn’t logical, it wasn’t right. Although it still doesn’t make sense and is still extremely emotional and senseless, I was offered advice from someone that helped me move forward without letting what happened drag me down. Many
It started with a simple question, “Do you think we could get a bottle of wine for the table?” and ended with one woman storming away while the other women looked after her, confused by what just offended the woman in the black blazer. The rest of the people sitting at the table sat in
There is no playbook for life. I’ve learned a few things about what seems to work best regarding how we should approach life, especially when facing difficult situations. In addition to battles I’ve already shared like my eating disorder, depression, and family alcoholism, my family experienced a recent tragedy. My sister was killed by a