People show us what they wish to show us, no matter how close of a relationship. What might seem like a perfect life, in fact, can definitely be less than perfect. A beautiful rustic ranch in the hills, a nack for vintage decoration, and a smile to light a million candles hid a life that I never imagined to be true.
A sweet friend of mine, Jennifer, was murdered by her husband and found early Sunday morning after not coming into work. Then her husband committed suicide after the murder, and I have read that he may have sat and contemplated his actions for a few hours before killing himself as well. This amazingly unique and loving woman's life extinguished in a shotgun shell. Her life was so boldly lived and so quickly ended.
I remember reconnecting with her on Facebook a few years ago. She was so happy. Her love of photography and animals transcended into a career with dogs and cats, and a Rockabilly lifestyle. She spoke fondly of her husband, Matt, to whom she had met on Match.com. They seemed to have it all - or so it seemed on the surface.
I was never in Jennifer's close circle of friends. However, I had gone to high school with her and worked with her at the Eagle Tavern in Greenfield Village for a few years. Our work relationship trickled into the rest of our lives as well. Her exuberance for life was truly admirable. A few years later I found out Jennifer moved to California with her then boyfriend, Bob. I was so jealous of her sense of adventure and courage to make it in another state across the country. When they broke up, I know Jennifer was very hurt; however, she persevered and reinvented herself in another state: Tennessee.
In the last year our friendship strengthened again, as I was tickled when she invited me to join her Facebook group, Rockabilly Is For Lovers. I felt so privileged to have a deeper look into her fascinating lifestyle. I was so jealous of her beautiful tattoos and her gorgeous pin-up pictures. I also found myself sending her articles to Readers Digest and on one occasion sent her the entire magazine so she could read the article about two of her favorite Hollywood stars: Elvis and Ann-Margret. What I viewed from this closer look at Jennifer was that she definitely became more beautiful inside and out as the years have passed.
Upon reading the news of her senseless death, I was immediately angry and disgusted that someone could kill such a beautiful creature. In fact, I had hoped it was a cruel joke. Two days later, I am still working on inner peace but will continue to be very heartbroken that a light so bright was extinguished so brutally. However, I am forever grateful to have known such a unique and compassionate person.
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