Tiffany with Jessica
On June 6, 2004, my sweet sister Tiffany lost her life in a car accident. She was 22 years old. (You can link to an article about her death in the BYU college newspaper here.)
At Tiff's funeral
She was single, beautiful and had a sparkling personality. We like to think that she is in Heaven with our little Jacob and Emily, “babysitting” them until we can meet them someday☺. The car accident occurred on I-84 East, just north of the Utah-Idaho border. When we drive from Oregon to Utah, we always try to stop and say hi. Sometimes we leave flowers.
Yesterday as we were driving, we were listening to a random mix of songs that help keep the kids happy. Right as we stopped at Tiffany’s spot, the Stephen Curtis Chapman song, Cinderella, came on. What an appropriate song to commemorate my sweet little sister. We sat in silence and listened to the entire song. When it ended, I was just about to get out of the car and leave flowers, when the next song came on: “Party in the USA,” by Miley Cyrus. I had to crack up. I almost looked around for Tiff, knowing she had a hand in that song playing right then. Although she never heard it in this life, it’s a song I’m sure she would have loved. It is just so her!
I miss you, Tiff!
A couple of days after 9/11, Tiffany emailed her family members. I’d like to share a portion of that email, which means a lot to me:
-----Original Message-----
From: "**Tiffany Rose**"
Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2001 5:10 PM
To: Jeremy M Green
Subject: Fwd: Recent Remarks from Pres. Hinckley
Hey guys,
With life ending so quickly for thousands in NY this week, I've found myself trying to live each day as if my tomorrow will never come. I realize it's not as easy as it seems--I'm still making mistakes. However, I begin each day with new goals and resolutions in mind that will make me a better person. It's rather sad that it takes an incident as terrifying as this to make us, or at least me, appreciate life and all my blessings to the fullest.
This past year, I've taken a number of flights to California. With this in mind, the past few days I've tried to imagine what it would be like if suddenly one of my flights had been hijacked. What would I have said if I was given the chance to make one last phone call to the people I love? Well, I'm not on a plane right now facing death. I'm at work...doing nothing.:) Regardless, I thought I'd take this opportunity to tell you all how much I love you. I don't know if my tomorrow will come, so I've decided to take Garth Brook's advice and "tell that someone that you love, just what you're thinking of...if tomorrow never comes."
I realize that sometimes I get caught up in my busy schedule of three jobs--it's hard for me to break away from my familiar routine. However, don't ever think I've forgotten about any of you. I know you're there and appreciate the little things you do. Take mom for example, who's willing to stay up at any hour to help her children out. Such as hem a skirt for me, review my resume, or iron an outfit I need in ten minutes. When I come home at midnight, after working two jobs in one day, I'll find yogurt coupons or my vitamins on my dresser. Seeing these in my room brings a huge smile to my face. Little acts of kindness from mom let me know just how much she loves me.
And then there's dad, who's been working such long hours lately. He's always there to answer my questions regarding "adult matters.” Sometimes I get overwhelmed with all the "stuff" I'm suddenly supposed to know about credit cards, insurance, and cars. Dad is always there with the answers. Quoting from our favorite family movie, (It's a Wonderful Life), "Ask Dad...He Knows."
My point is, I appreciate and love all of you. I can't picture our family without any of us in it. I'm looking forward to this Christmas when we'll all be together. I love hanging out and laughing our heads off. I love recalling old memories with each other.
I am thankful for all of you. I am thankful each of us is alive and well.
I love you,
Tiffany Rose
Thanks, Tiff, for your thoughtfulness. Thanks for your reminder that we never know if our tomorrow will come. I will try to be more mindful of letting my loved ones know just how much I appreciate them.
Jer
