Thank you for your unbelievable support. Jen would have been so proud to have 77 comments on just one of her posts! You probably didn’t know this but we had an ongoing competition on who could get the most comments on her posts. Well this time she wins!
The services were beautiful and the party on Friday night was such a “Bunich” style event. Every detail was perfect and all about her. It even had the pink and green Charlotte Smarty Pants theme decorated throughout. It made me happy and feel a little more at peace.
Jen had a very aggressive lung cancer called adenocarcinoma. She was a non-smoker and we just don’t know how she got it. The doctors said that she may have had this for a year or so. This has completely blown me away because she only started showing symptoms just before Christmas. She had an annoying cough, one that I will never forget. Not a congested cough or even an allergy cough, just a different cough. She was also very fatigued but we all thought that she was just overdoing it with her holiday preparations and maybe she was coming down with a cold or virus of some sort. I remember a week before she went to the doctor, she came over to my house for a play date. When she climbed the stairs carrying Claire, she was completely winded. I said, girl, you need to get that checked out. But I really didn’t think much about it. Jen went to the doctor eventually and had a chest x-ray which revealed a large mass on one of her lungs. What really baffles me was the lack of urgency that her doctors had with regard to getting a biopsy done. This is where the first of many divine interventions occurred. You see, Jen was an amazing person who could handle anything. But the only thing that would have crushed her to no end would have been to learn that she had a terminal illness and would leave her beautiful little girl and husband behind. I’m sure we could all say the same for ourselves. So her biopsy was delayed for a few days and in the end, she never found out that she had lung cancer. This gives me a sense of peace because even if she found out the very first time she went to the doctor, there was nothing that could have been done to save her. The cancer was too aggressive and advanced, so it’s best in the end that she didn’t know.
I truly believe that Jen was here on earth for a short period of time for a purpose. I had the privilege of being engrossed in the preparations which was very therapeutic and enlightening. I always knew Jen was an amazing, accomplished woman. But what I didn’t realize, was how many people she fostered relationships with and how many wonderful things she was doing at any given time. I came to the conclusion that she was and is an angel to so many people. Over the last month, she had so many things happening in preparation for her departure. I think it’s more than coincidence. And this makes me happy.
So, I’m back. I have a good line-up for the upcoming weeks and I hope you’ll continue to read CSP. I want to emphasize that we have always been open to suggestions on topics to feature. Charlotte Smarty Pants is just as much your website as it is mine. What makes it so special is how we all have worked together to build an informative, powerful website that brings women together. So if you have an idea, email here and we will read it and research it.
Thank you again and have a wonderul Sunday.
Fondly, Jen P.
15 comments
What beautiful comments about an amazing woman/mother/wife/friend! Thank you for keeping the site going! I’m an avid reader and your post today was uplifting! I will continue to keep Jen’s family and friends in my thoughts!
I also am an avid reader and was shocked and so troubled by the news of Jen B’s passing. My heart breaks for her daughter, her husband and all those who knew and loved her. I really felt like I got to know the two of you and your families through the website. As a full-time working first-time Mom of a 21 month old, I always looked forward to reading and learning. So happy to hear that the site will continue. It truly is an inspiration. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
That is the most unbelievable thing I have ever heard! I know it must have been hard for you to write that, but thank you for letting your readers (non personal friends of yours) know this tragic story. Please keep up posted on how Boris and Claire are doing. If you cannot continue this as a daily thing on your own, I am sure all your readers will understand and look forward to whatever days you can post. Looking forward to sticking this through with you, Jen… Be Well!!
It’s great to have you back Jen P, we know this is going to give you much peace and comfort. Jen B will continue to shed light on you and all those she knew. We love you dearly!Catherine Austin
I did not know Jen. However, I do know a dear friend of hers, Chersten. I work with Chersten’s sister in Sumter and have known their family for years. When we heard about this great loss, Chersten’s sister showed me this site. I was overwhelmed with tears reading what a wonderful person Jen was. It was your words that touched me and gave me a true since of what being a good person was all about. It made me want to be a better person, because of your love for Jen and because of the love she showed had for her family and for life. You have no idea how this touched me and really made me sit down and look at how we should all live life. I’ve heard many wonderful things about her and although I didn’t know her, I have prayed for her family, her daughter and husband and for you as her best friend. I will continue to read this site and look forward to it.KLK
My daughter, Sheila D., is a close friend of Jen’s so I got to know her over the years. They roomed together in college and travelled extensively after College. My daughter loved Jen and always kept in touch. As a mother of three daughters and “Mimi” to 2 grandsons (2and 1/2and 5), I want to extend my deepest sympathy to her parents and husband. I have prayed for them and will continue to ask God to give them the grace and strength needed in the days and years ahead. I truly believe that we all have a special purpose here on earth. Jen accomplished so much in her short life and is at peace.She will watch over her family from a better place and they will surely feel her presence. God Bless all of you.
I know this has to have been such a difficult time for you. Thank you for continuing the site and for your updates and information about Jen B.
I have been checking this e-mail every day, many times a day, but have yet to post a comment. Almost as if I wasn’t ready yet. But, I can’t not do it. Jen B. was my supervisor at LKM Advertising back in 2000. She was an amazing person to work for. Of course, we hit it off right away and although she was my boss, I would say she was my friend right from the start too. I got to see her as a professional woman…whose work ethic and drive compared to no other. Then, she met Boris and she had a reason to leave around 5 or 5:30 PM. I loved that she had found a new passion, along side her ad job. I was blessed to be in her life through some many significant milestones…wedding showers, bach. party, wedding, baby shower and birth of Claire. And, yet, I only have known her since 2000. This past week was full of emotion for all of us. I turned to my faith immediately to give me peace. I am thankful for so many of the memories that have been popping up in my mind about Jen. Each one brings a smile to my face and a tug of pain in my heart. But, as I move forward, I have renewed in myself a sense of commitment to be a better wife, mother and friend…to live each day to the fullest as I know Jennifer did with such ease all the days of her life. I will miss you Jennifer. I miss you….
I’m still in shock as everyone else is. Your tributes to Jen B. have been wonderful and beautifully written. I was lucky enough to meet Jen B. through you, Jen P.! Jen B. was always so upbeat and a terrific person. She was so loved by everyone that met her! She will be tremendously missed by so many. Keep up the great work with Charlotte Smarty Pants! Jen B. believed in you and so do we! Wendy P. or “Little Wendy”
I have been wanting to post something since I found out the news about Jen, last Tuesday. It has been so hard to gather my thoughts in order to write anything coherent. How does one say goodbye to a friend that they’ve had for 24 years? Jennifer and I met in 7th grade when we tried out for cheerleading in junior high. I know that gave some of you a chuckle, but if you knew me at all, it would make your sides split. Well, neither of us made the team, but our friendship was instantaneous. For 6 years through junior high and high school, we were inseperable. She was my best friend, my partner in crime, my confidant. We did just about everything together. Jen was the kind of friend where there was no drama…she was there for me and I was there for her. There are so many memories, it would take a lifetime to list. We played field hockey together, were on swim team together, went to Young Life camp together, went to the mall all the time…she was so much more fashionable than I was! Spent time just hanging out, as we told our parents we were “studying”…etc. As I have read the many posts on this website and sat through her funeral service last Thursday I listened to many people describe the things that they loved about Jennifer…they were the very same things that I loved about her, even way back as teenagers. Jen was the organizer, the planner, the initiator of so many things. I was the disorganized procrastinator. I wouldn’t have any pictures of my high school years if it wasn’t that Jen put together a beautiful photo album for me and gave it to me at our graduation from High school. I can’t tell you how I treasure those pictures. Jen threw me a surprise 16th birthday party in her backyard, that she totally planned on her own, and I had no clue. Even then, she was taking pictures and planning parties! Jen walked with me through some dark times as an adolescent, as I struggled to come to terms with my parents’ divorce. She was always there for me to listen. I remember being so sad when her parents moved out of NJ, because I knew it would be harder for us to see each other. However, we remained friends through college, adulthood, weddings, babies… and tried to stay in touch as best we could. She was in my wedding…and I was in hers not even four years ago. The last time we saw each other was at our 15th HS reunion, in Nov. 2004. We had a great time re-visiting all our old stomping grounds and reminiscing. No matter how much time had elapsed since we had talked or seen each other, we could just pick up where we left off. Admittedly, Jen was always the better friend for staying in touch – big shock. I took for granted that she would always be there…and I will regret not being able to tell her how important she was to me…I hope she knew that. I will miss Jen tremendously. She was a beautiful friend and a huge part of my life. I know that she is in a better place, and that eases the pain a little bit. I want to extend my condolences again to the Lismans and Boris and Claire. I will be praying for your healing. I also want to thank Jen P. (who picked me up at the airport and allowed me to stay at her place overnight) and the many friends of Jennifer’s that I met during my short, bewildering stay in Charlotte last week. You all embraced me just like one of your own and words can’t express how much that meant to me. I’m sorry for your loss, too. It will take all of us some time to heal from this. I will be sure to keep my eye on CSP, it will be my connection to Jen and all of you (no pressure, Jen P.!!)Kelly Zeiler
What a tragic occurance. I just read Jen’s obituary in the Evansville newspaper, and followed a link to this website. I of course did not know her, but just wanted to say how terribly sorry I am to read about her passing and how it was so sudden. I only want to offer my condolences to all her loved and knew her. She seemed like a special person.
Jenn B. was such an inspiration to all young women. She influenced those of us who knew her in many ways. For those of us who are mothers, she made it look so easy, but the real influence was in way her face would light up when she talked about her family. She was a master of many ideas and tasks, but all who knew her never questioned where her priorities were. This website is such a reflection of her as she offered so much–she was truly a professional wife, mother, friend and creative genious. And all of us women love to depend on resources we admire.Again, a reflection of Jen.I will think of her in many ways but especially through this vehicle to keep young women connected to those who care about their families and self.
Wow.I just read the article in the observer and had to come check out the website. The site is amazing. You should be very proud of what you have created. I’m not even a mother yet (but, believe me—I can’t wait) and I loved it.Please keep her memory alive…
I too have recently lost my best friend….to liver cancer. She was 43 years old, married with 2 boys…like me. Val never smoked did not drink…but yet she was diagnosed Stage IV. I agree with you…Jen was in a better place by not knowing the road ahead. My best friend suffered 13 months of treatment and had to say good bye to her husband of 20 years, her boys, family and friends. It was so painful for her. I miss her tremendously. Angela
For those who have lost their best friends to an illness, I wanted to share a poem I wrote after losing mine.What Did I Learn From My Friend?I learned about GRACE as Valerie took every bit of news and every decision with class. She may have thought it at one time, but you never heard her ask “why me and not them.”I learned about STRENGTH when Valerie would talk openly about her battle with this horrible disease.I learned about LOVE when I saw Valerie reassuring and comforting her worried husband, children, parents, sisters, family and friends, even though she was terrified of the road ahead.I learned about HOPE when Valerie stayed positive and optimistic through nauseating treatments and tiring tests.I learned about DETERMINATION when Valerie went through hours of radiation and chemo and continued to fight.Finally, I learned a little more about LIFE and how to live it.Valerie was funny, strong, and courageous and she was a special and important person in my Life….but most of all she was a best friend.And for all of that, I have Valerie to thank. Angela