Quince

Just last week Veronica and I came by to visit Jessica at the hospital. She went in to have surgery to remove a malignant tumor from the right side of her jaw. Because of this, they had to remove a good portion of her jawbone as well.

As I sat there looking at all those tubes and machines attached to her trying to figure out what to say, I couldn't help but think about how many countless number of times she's been here before and how many battles she's already had to overcome. All these years of pain and suffering that she’s had to endure at such a young age really made me realize how petty my problems were compared to hers. It also made me realize just how delicate and precious life really is.

Granted, I’ve known a number of people that have suffered and passed away because of illness. But to see somebody at such a young age that hasn’t even begun to live her life really depresses me, especially when I know that her only wish was that she would be able to graduate from high school with her class.

But I know she’s a fighter. I know that she’ll see another day. After all, at the end of our visit, when I told her to get better soon because I need to take more photos of her, she looked at me, smiled, and gave me a thumbs up!