Meet Jessie.
She is an amazing woman who I’ve known for a few years now. She is a hard worker, a talented photographer, and an amazing mother! She’s been through a lot and I am so grateful she was so open and brave in sharing her story with us.
Thank you, Jessie!
- Before personally going through something related to heart health, did you know much about it?
I didn’t know very much, only what caused heart attacks.
- Have you ever lost anyone due to a heart related health issue?
Yes
- If you answered yes to the previous question and you’re comfortable answering- what happened? And to whom?
I lost my mom four years ago. She went into cardiac arrest.
- Why do you want to be a part of this project?
I want to share my story to inspire people to persevere through difficult times, learn the importance of knowing CPR, and share how my experience of hardship inspired me to have more compassion for others.
- How have you been affected by Heart Health?
My mom died from cardiac arrest, leaving 4 kids and a grandson too early in life.
- What do you want people to know?
I want people to know that spending quality time with family is important because sometimes loved ones leave when we least expect it. It is also important to know that everyone we meet is fighting a different battle, so it is important to be kind and compassionate to others while still speaking the truth.
- How has this all changed your life?
I was in my senior year of college, and in a difficult marriage situation. I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy in November of 2013, and it was difficult being a new mom in a difficult marriage during my last year of school. My mom died suddenly of cardiac arrest in January of 2014, and I left the difficult marriage two weeks later with my 3 month old son. Going through many challenging life events in such a short time took a toll on my life, but it also developed a sense of compassion in me that I didn’t have before.
- What’s the most important thing in the world to you?
God, my faith, and my family.
- If this was your last week on earth, how would you live it?
I would want to spend time in prayer and doing fun, simple daily life activities with my family.
- What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about bringing awareness to the damaging effects of pornography and immodesty on marriage and family life, and be an advocate for healthy marriages and families in a free, total, faithful and fruitful way.
- What do you love about yourself?
I love that God has given me the grace to be tenacious and persevere through difficult times.
- What is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?
There are so many kind things that people have done for me. My dad brought me to church where I was able to develop my faith in God, who has helped me through difficult times. Family and friends have stood by me and supported me in times of need. Several families and my best friends helped me when I left my difficult marriage, and one family let me and my son live with them while providing me with emotional and financial support when I had nothing following my separation and death of my mom. A special person has also come into my life and helped tremendously in daily activities, support, and deepening my faith while loving me and my son through hard times.
- Anything else you want to add?
Several days before my mom passed away from cardiac arrest she came to visit me and my son, who was her first grandson. He was 2 months old at the time, and we went to lunch and bought her a heated blanket that she had been wanting for a while. She got to hold her grandson and see him smile. I didn’t know that it would be the last time I would ever see her, but it was a wonderful memory and I am thankful we got to have that afternoon together. We never know when our last moments will be, so it is important to love and cherish our time and each other while we have it.
Thank you so much, Jessie. You are incredibly brave and inspiring. Sharing your story will help so many people realize the importance of learning CPR and cherishing life as it is so very fragile.
xo- T
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