Our society is so quickly judgmental today that we immediately assume things, based on an exterior appearance, and look no further.
I’m guessing your initial reaction to this photograph is that of a beautiful model within a choreographed setting. This is not the case. Because of her looks people have mistakenly presumed to judge her as nothing more.
Allow me to introduce to you Jack and Emma’s big sister Jordan. This beautiful young lady is 18 years old. That is her bed in her bedroom; she had actually been awake for only a short time and was temporarily babysitting a stray kitten that had wandered into our neighborhood until Jordan could find it a good home. Which she did two days later.
I had gone into her room to make sure she was awake (she had asked me to check in and make sure she was up, as she had an appointment to keep that morning, and like many teenagers is up late at night!) I was struck by the black and white of most everything except her hair (She’s a teenager, her hair changes as frequently as her mood. :D)
On a more serious note two years ago when the children suddenly lost their father in a senseless accident caused by a meth-using driver, Jordan (just like her mom) went into extreme shock.
Her dad had been her buddy, her pal. He and her mom taught her to believe in God (she is an active member in her church youth group), to love life, music and that beauty comes from the inside out. With her youth group she has travelled twice to Mexico – called A Labor of Love, to help construct homes for the homeless.
And her dad also taught her to drive and to love the river. The last two years have been very hard for her. They had spent every summer on the water. One of the first things to go (financial needs) was the ski boat. (Interjecting a quick note here. I live with this family now and I am a close relative, I help as I can since the accident, the focus here is on their journey after a tragic event in their lives).
For Jordan her loss of her father turned to anger and depression. It was a struggle for her to overcome. She’s moving on now – in a good way, but it was a very hard loss for a young impressionable teenager just at the beginning of her awareness of all that life can offer.
The musical notes you see in the background of two of the photos are all over the walls of her room. Her dad had lovingly done this a few years previous. (taking weeks, in his spare time to complete a score from her favorite song “butterfly kisses”– he was like that with his whole family. All those little extras bits of love!)
So this is Jordan today. She was always kind, loving and giving; now she is also wiser and more reflective.
She is also amazing when it comes to repairing the engines of vehicles. Her male friends call her for advice (Yup, totally true – luckily her boyfriend isn’t the jealous type, in fact he asks her for advice in that area also).
She is also an excellent photographer, a photo journalist although her special knack in this area is cinematography. I am hoping this becomes her chosen career.
So there you have it. Jordan, As beautiful on in the inside as she is on the outside and the third of the four members left in this amazing family of loss and courage.
I have two more to write about in the near future. These children’s brave/persevering mom and of course their dad/her husband Duane. Who we all miss so very dearly!
And after that I shall introduce the other most important people in my life – My son and his wonderful family!
The Why About This 
She is a lovely looking girl. Is she going for a photography scholarship? (Or something like that)
She is all over the map right now regarding her future, as like her mom, she’s finally beginning to finish, in safety, mourning the loss of her best friend (her dad) and move on with her family and her friends. We don’t see a lot of her right now as she is happily involved with teenage things. It is very good! 🙂
Yes it is 🙂
What a lovely post, Penny. Jordan is such a beautiful young woman and sounds amazing. You are a gift to this family and may God bless you for that.
Thank you Celestine, Yes she is I am blessed a thousand times over with my family. Thank you for your gracious words of praise, I try as I can! Have a beautiful day today my friend, Penny 🙂
U just gave me a lot of reasons to feel better.. After a couple of days of continuous misfortunes I was feeling bitter.
I agree with u on the point that we do perceive everything on the basis of what is visible, and more worse we change our behavior accordingly.. May God get us out of this mess..
Hi Somesh. Some days, even weeks or months things can go so wrong it is so hard to not be bitter about events. God is truly the one who oversee’s and directs but I think he expects us to do our best and I think that means to find something positive, however small about each day and someone you know. Not easy but sometimes make you feel better, take care my friend, hugs, Penny
What a touching post, Penny, and Jordan is a lovely girl…my daughter is almost 21, but I can see similarities when she was 18. Music is one of them and Jordan’s musical wall art are such a beautiful gift from her Dad and a wonderful memory. His story is heartbreaking, but she seems very lucky to have you in her life, too, to help guide her…thanks for sharing~
Lauren
Thank you. Yes Jordan is very sweet, lovely and talented. I know without any doubt that much of who and how she is was shaped by her parents and their attitude on Love, family and life. As for myself I’m just happy to be in the mix, making a positive difference as I can. Thank you for your very caring thoughts, again, a special thank you, Penny
I’m sure Jordan’s Dad would be so proud of the lovely young woman she’s become. I wish her and her family all the best.
thank you maggie, I’m sure you’re right! Her struggle was hard. I truly appreciate your kind and thoughtful words. They mean a lot to me! Thank you again!
Wow Penny – it is so wonderful to ‘meet’ Jordan. Your introduction was spectacular as I feel like I just walked into your kitchen and had tea with the two of you. She is beautiful – and I can tell reflective, as you say…and talented and kind as well. I will hold her and her younger siblings in my heart ~ may they find comfort and love – stability and blessings everywhere they go. Thanks for sharing her story… I have a daughter 19 too… so can very much relate ~xo Sending Love to you today my friend…
Thank you Robyn for your caring thoughts and warm blessings. Slow process but finally this family is indeed healing. Much love to you sweet friend, xoxo
So wonderful that you are there too Penny ~ healing will happen for all of the beautiful family … I do believe that!
Yes, it can and it will. In my next story of this special family, I will reveal somethng that kept this family from really beginning to heal until just a few months ago. Thank you so much my gentle and caring friend I do agree with you. 🙂
Wonderful reminder to all of us to take a moment and observe and feel, not simply assume. Lovely story, Penny.
Thank you so much, your words are greatly appreciated by me. 🙂
Reading the beautiful story has taught me to take time to know people, not to be quickly judgmental. Thank you Penny! Have a great day!
Thank you Amy for your loving words and warm thoughts. You have a special day today also! 🙂
She is lovely. So sorry for such pain all of you have endured. What a wonderful dad to have painted those notes that still sound in your heart.
Thank you Alice, Duane was an amazing human being, well liked by all who knew him. And those who didn’t really know him. He had a habit of always stopping to help strangers in trouble. After a moving article about him (with a photo) appeared in the local paper (at the time of his death) the family got calls and letters of condolences from strangers whom he had “helped out” over the years. Things he had never mentioned. Just the kind of guy he was. Thanks for your loveily thoughts. It is very much appreciated.
What a beautiful post Penny!
Thank you very much LuAnn. I am so pleased that Jordan is finally healing and talking about her future again. It is a wonderful blessing to see her smile and hear her laughter! 🙂
Jordan sounds like a wonderful young woman.
Thank you boomie, she is that. Her depression was so deep it was scary. Now that she is healing her ability to have fun is returning and like her dad and mom she is loaded with a great sense of humor. To once again hear her spontaneous laughter fills my heart with joy. Thanks for your kind words! 🙂
So wonderful to see her smiling after all she has endured.. She is beautiful..inside & out!
thanks for sharing her with us!
Yes it is. Her anger and deep sadness were there for so long it is wonderful to have her once again looking forward to life (her life).My pleasure to share her, thank you for your thoughtful comments. I appreciate them very much.
Thanks you’ve been following my blog, is an honor for me 😛 Fantastic. And thank too for the stopping by
My pleasure! Your blog is a lovely one. You are most welcome!
A wonderful story about a pretty and brave young lady. This is an example of real courage I was talking about in my blog: love and will. Sometimes we have to live difficult moments and maybe we don’t understand for a long time, but I believe everything has a purpose. Thank you very much Penny
Your very welcome benja. Thank you for your comments.
What a lovely profile of a beautiful young lady. As usual Penny your words touch my heart
Thanks Dory. I appreciate that so much.
She likes cats. That’s a +100 in my book. >^..^<
Yes,she does. The kitty bonded to her too, within a few hours, it was quite amazing. She wanted to keep the little guy herself but we’re pretty loaded with animals here and she’s on the go a lot, but she did find a great young couple that she knew who fell in love with the little guy too. So a happy ending for all! 🙂