In Memory of Jamie

Jamie Nicole Huntsman
June 26, 1976-May 14, 1999

Wednesday the 14th will mark 9 years since my older sister, Jamie passed away. She was almost 23 years old when she died, after fighting Leukemia her first year of college and then again after her mission (Texas, Fort Worth). I think about her all the time, but especially at this time of year, and I thought it would be a good time to remind everyone else how truly special she was.

She was the oldest in our family and an awesome sister to all of us. When we were little, she used to have a 'sale' every time she cleaned her room, and she would let us all pick from the stuff she didn't want any more. I loved that! We would have a sleepover in her room every Christmas Eve. She let me come and stay with her at Utah State and we ate crazy bread from Little Caesars for dinner and went sledding on plastic bags. Even though she was six years older, she always made me feel like her friend instead of her little sister. She loved the zoo and Disneyland and Christmas lights, and hated to shop. One Easter after she had lost her hair from chemo, my mom and I brought her home dress after dress to wear on Easter. She didn't like any of them because she said they were 'dresses you needed to have hair for'. We looked everywhere for a dress you DIDN'T need hair for. When she got sick the first time, she was so upbeat and so brave and was a great example of faith to everyone who met her. All she wanted to do was serve a mission. She went into remission and was able to do that, even though she knew her cancer might come back. It came back fourteen months into her mission and she was so sad not to be able to finish. The second time around was a lot harder to take because we all knew firsthand what the treatments were going to do and how sick she was going to be. Even though it all seemed so unfair, she still had unwavering faith and a positive attitude. She had a bone marrow transplant and went into remission again, but her body had been through so much that it just couldn't take all of the complications that developed. She passed away on a Friday afternoon at LDS Hospital, and while it was so sad for all of us, it was also such a relief to know she wouldn't have to endure any more pain.

She was such a big influence in my life while she was living, and she continues to be one now because I try everyday to live in a way that will make sure I get to be with her again. It's so hard to lose someone you are so close to, but over time the Saviour has healed my heart and my testimony has grown stronger and surer through the experience. Even though I still feel cheated sometimes (she left me here with 3 brothers!), most of the time I smile instead of cry when I remember her. I feel that we were so blessed for the time we got to spend with her here on this earth. I am so grateful for the knowledge and testimony I have of the plan of salvation, and I can't wait for the day that I get to see her again.