Sunday, January 24, 2021
I remember thinking Jennifer was the coolest person around when I met her as a little girl. She was my friend's big (teenage) sister AND she could drive- so cool, right? Well I was getting into horseback riding at the time and would go out to the barn every Saturday to work for a free lesson. Jennifer was the one who gave me rides out to those lessons, every Saturday. She and I shoveled poop, fed and turned out horses for hours just so we could have that ONE hour on the back of a horse. We went on trail rides and rode in the ring where she taught me some tips on my hunter-jumper techniques. Jennifer was AMAZING on horseback- she jumped over giant gates no worry; I never became as accomplished and equestrian as she was.
I gotta say, though, my favorite part- and the part I remember the best- was going to get lunch. Riding in her car, she played rock music I had no idea existed and I grew to love. We would go get lunch at Hero Hut (lol) and I would eat the most unhealthy crap, but it was soooo good.
I didn't stick with horseback riding so these Saturdays didn't happen for long, but I remember them vividly. About a month ago, Jennifer was taking care of my pupper Noodle up at Hillcrest and she seemed just as cool and comfortable in her own skin as she did almost 20 years ago when she and I were connecting over our love of animals, music and loving life. We didn't talk about the past at this appointment, but she did mention how proud she was of her sister Lauren (my friend) and the life she has built with her husband Juan out in Hawaii. (I LOVE you Lauren SO much if you are reading this.)
Anyways... thank you Jennifer for being part of my life and my deepest condolences to your family.
