Nettie was the type of person everyone loved. And I'm not just saying that. Our school, HHCS, was small--I had a class of 24 and that was BIG. Everyone knew everyone and had for years. Nettie's laugh was infectious, and she was always smiling. People say flippantly "her smile could light up the room" but with Nettie that statement is completely true. Looking through her pictures on facebook yesterday, it was clear she always made it a point to put on a happy face. Her blue eyes sparkling and a big ol' grin on her face...that is how I will remember her.
I woke up at 5:23 am this morning and found myself wide awake for an hour just thinking about Nettie and praying for her family. Our family had 3 girls, me being the youngest; their family had 3 girls with Nettie as the youngest. In jr. high, I have some great memories from sleepovers and movie nights with her. We even fought over the same boy...she won. :) If a jr. high friendship can survive that, I think it can survive anything. I found myself remembering her handwriting from the illegal notes we would pass in school in the hallways between classes. She had such pretty cursive handwriting--almost perfectly formed. I'm sure I probably even have some of her notes at my Mom's apartment in Muncie.
In the early morning hours, I realized I was thankful for Facebook. It has made me feel part of a community rallying around the Petersons and Nettie's kids. Even from the east bay outside of San Francisco, I feel like I am a part of supporting this family hurting back in Muncie, IN. That is special. It also gave me the chance to see and feel like I "knew" Nettie's children even though I never met them. She was in love with being a mom. It was clear throughout every post, every statement of pride about those kids. She loved her family with an intensity few possess. As sisters, they were like peas in a pod. Even in adulthood when life gets busy, I know without a doubt that they were not just sisters, but best friends. I can't even imagine the hurt that Natalie and Nici are feeling...as well as their kids at this loss. Emptiness.
I was also able to be a part of Nettie's life these last few years even though I haven't lived in Muncie since Feb. 2002. About 6 months ago when she was going through her separation, I sent her a message, reaching out. I remembered when our family imploded--how people often didn't know what to say, so they didn't say anything. It can be a very lonely time. I told Nettie that if she needed to chat at any time that I was there. We wrote back and forth a few times, but the gist of what she said was that she didn't feel alone because she had such a wonderful family. It was great to hear that!
It is so senseless. My mind doesn't even really know what to do with the news articles and details coming out. All I know to do is to pray for everyone involved that God would heal their hearts and comfort them. Absolutely everyone involved is hurting right now. I'm frustrated over the tiny detail that they keep calling her by her legal first name, Lisa, in all the news articles. It's just not her if you use that name. But I know that doesn't matter. What matters is that she is at peace. The hurt is for us here left behind. Even if you don't know them, please say a prayer over this situation. It cuts to the core for many many people.
Nettie, you will be missed by your HHCS community, your family, your work friends, and especially your children. But I am confident that your legacy will live on through them and that they will know that without a doubt, their mother was a strong, classy, funny, intelligent woman who loved them with all she had. So sorry you are gone, friend.
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