A JOURNEY WITH RACHEL AND A JAR

By Julie Lapeyre Jacobson

In the last year, Rachel and I had many conversations about life and relationships.  She talked about every relationship having a shared jar.  Sometimes you put things in the jar by lending a hand and other times you took things out when needing help.  Giving and receiving. 

My jar with Rachel is very full.  It started 45 years ago when we were in the 5th grade.  The jar we share went with us to many places -- Washington DC, Ireland & South Carolina to name a few.  Our jar journeyed back with us to our hometown when we both rediscovered our love of the Gallatin Valley. 

There is no greater friend than Rachel. She filled jars.  She put others first.  She made people laugh.   She cared about the communities she lived in.    

In November, with a great smile on her face she told me her sisters, Sara & Cecile, were “5 out of 5 stars”.  Her brothers-in-law, Jim & Matt, she enjoyed and respected.  She wanted what was best for her nephews and loved each. 

Rachel’s life can be measured by many things.  One is the number of jars she shared.  She loves her family. Her family loves her. The number of her friendships are great and meaningful.  

While Rachel is no longer with us, the jars are still here.  We can continue to make deposits in the jars by remembering that Rachel loves us.  Rachel wants us to live our lives well.  Have fun. Laugh. Laugh more. Treat people kindly.  Live our lives as Rachel lived hers.