Tag Archives: Sydney Jeter

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Erin’s Dream Race 

. Getting to Know Sydney, Grief its Real . , , , , ,

As my alarm went off this morning I knew my day would be filled with memories of one of the most amazing girls I’ve ever met. Memories of her passion on the soccer field her intelligence and sencerity and mostly her joy for life. The memories of course don’t stop there..I remembered Sydney’s time spent with Erin and the affect that Erin’s life had on her. After Sydney ran her first 5k (the Amarillo Dash) on March 7, 2010 she began talking to me about how she wished someone would start a 5k memory run in Erin’s honor. Erin had lost her battle with Neuroblastoma in April of 2009. Throughout the next 3 years she continued to bring up her desires to do a 5k for Erin. Even though time passed Erin never left Sydney’s heart. In high school her electives followed a health track and after Sydney’s accident I found in her school papers where she had a couple of writing prompts one about if she was given 100,000 what she would do with it and another if she could cure any disease what would she choose. In both cases one written Oct 11, 2011 and one written Oct 13, 2011 she mentioned Research for Neutoblastoma the specific cancer that her friend died from. When I heard last year about Erin’s Dream Race I couldn’t help but think about how happy Sydney would have been that Erin’s life and efforts towards cancer research would be honored..and of course tears fell as I knew she wouldn’t get to be a part of it. So for the second year, Stacy Cameron and I attended hoping that the Buenger’s feel not only the love we have for Erin but the love Sydney had for her as well. Today while we were walking I imagined Erin and Sydney together laughing, and watching as Erin’s life continues to help others by raising awareness and money for childhood cancer research. What an honor to know and love her! I’m including pictures from today and Sydney’s writings. We’ve also been blessed to walk with one of Sydney and Erin’s friends (Lindsey Mitchell) these last two years. She’s a beautiful example of how true love never dies!

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Video 3rd Annual Sydney L. Jeter Memorial Soccer Game

. Getting to Know Sydney, Grief its Real, Play for Jeter . , , , , , , , ,


Again I am overwhelmed and blown away by the support and love this community continues to show to Sydney and our family. This year as I sat in the stands I was surrounded by parents who had no child on the field, but they were there to support the Lady Tiger Soccer team and Coaches as they continue to play a memorial game in honor of Sydney and what her life meant to the A&M Consolidated Lady Tiger Soccer Program. When I lost Sydney I had in my mind the people I thought would walk next to us, but as time moves on I’ve realized the people you thought would never leave..do..but then you are overwhelmed when you realized the people who step in..unafraid to stand next to you..cry with you..and most importantly share stories and pictures with you. The soccer community whether competitive league or high school has given more than I ever imagined. People often say competitive soccer is about making money..I am proof it is not..I believe almost all of Sydney’s competitive coaches not only came to her funeral but were there for the 1st memorial game (7 months after the accident) and a few consistently at EVERYONE of them..this is above and beyond what someone would do if it was about making money. This is what you do when you are part of a family and that is how the soccer community makes me feel..like we are forever part of their family. I know Sydney feels all the love the soccer community has shown her and I’m so grateful to be a part of such an amazing family⚽️

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Nothing will ever come between us..I’ll be standing right next to you!

. Getting to Know Sydney, Grief its Real . , , , , , , ,

Today is 2 1/2 yrs..2 1/2 yrs since I got to wrap my arms around her and hug her..There’s never a second of the day I’m not thinking about and missing her. I wish so badly that knowing she’s standing right next to me could some how satisfy my aching heart but my flesh will never be satisfied until the day we are reunited with her again. Until then I will fix my eyes and heart on God and live my life honoring her every step of the way. Forever loving and missing you Sydney Lisa Jeter

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Friends and teammates who started “Play for Jeter” come to play with her brother

. Play for Jeter . , , , ,

Again…the soccer community goes above and beyond to walk beside our family..this time stepping in and on the field to play some soccer with Cameron..You see out of all the projects people have started “Play for Jeter” is one that Cameron has the desire and opportunity to pick up and be a part of..He has attended two Play for Jeter memorial games but has never had the opportunity to “Play” with her teammates and friends..I can’t think of a better way to support him then for some of her original teammates who started the project “Play For Jeter” and some of the young men that knew her, giving their time to step on the field and play soccer with him and a few of his teammates..What a beautiful gift it is for not only Sydney to have been a part of this soccer community but Cameron as well.  Much respect and appreciation for all of these people

I wanted to include the names of all the people who showed up to play with Cameron:

Back row left to right: Cade Williams, Tucker Simms, Kylan Lewis, Daniel Zivney, David Gan, Alex Acton, Oscar  Cameron Jeter, Shane Grant, Allen Aldape, Jack Edner..front row-Alex OCampo, Carlos Espina, Maddie Wilke, Megan Lewis, Callie Walton, Alex Stewart, and Sammy McKenzie

 

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Relieved it’s over

. Grief its Real . , , , ,

I have never been more relieved for a season to be over than I am for Thanksgiving and Christmas to finally be through. The last two months have felt like a slow steady torture to my heart and soul. The mental and spiritual battle has been exhausting as I wrestled with hating a day but loving so deeply the reason for it..I continued to battle my feelings of devastation by thinking about how thankful I am for Jesus, his birth and the sacrifice he made for me..Unfortunately as I was forced to go out and participate in buying presents..I didn’t feel the love of God around me..I felt the commercialization and excessive buying..the feeling of ppl buying happiness instead of giving gifts that are filled with personal meaning and thought..this only magnified the emptiness and lost feelings I was wanting so badly to avoid as my happiness can’t be found in something bought but instead in the love and memories I’ve made..Thoughts constantly running through my mind about how much would be missing from our tree and the inability to fill it..Wanting desperately to find the joy everyone is praying for us to find but understanding that is not where God has me right now..I’m not throwing a pity party Im not dwelling on her loss..I’m missing her..who she was and the sheer enjoyment she brought to our lives..I noticed Cameron was also looking for her and for a way to include her..it was his idea to take pictures with her cross..Stacy had put all his gifts together but noticed two were missing..one a bible similar to Sydney’s I later found beside his bed and the other a personalized soccer ball he carried around with him that says “PlayForJeter”❤️It does make me feel a little joy knowing that he too finds his happiness in gifts that were not the most expensive by monetary means but priceless to him because of the love and meaning attached. So I’m relieved to no longer struggle with wrestling spiritually with the over overindulgence of Christmas surrounding me and constantly feeling pressure to find joy in something that makes me feel so awful.

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Play for Jeter featuring Derrick Dick Cat to Tiger to Roadrunner

. Play for Jeter . , , , , ,

I never knew when I took Sydney to her first middle school football game the adventure ahead of us. She was a soccer player and my son was too small to be playing so of course I had no idea I would be sitting in the stands week after week but Sydney and I feel in love with watching the boys her age play so passionately.  I’m so thankful for all the memories we made traveling to and from games. After the accident I wasn’t quite sure if and how I belonged anymore.  My son still too small to be a part, and my daughter no longer here…My heart wanted to be where we had planned to be together but I didn’t want to make people uncomfortable. That is where this young man stepped in..He not only carried Sydney’s memory as he played but he texted me before games and made sure I felt welcome and always found my family after every game making us feel a part of something I no longer knew how to be a part of..He was never too uncomfortable..never too upset..never too popular..and never too busy.  As soon as the Soccer community began promoting “PlayForJeter” bracelets he not only asked me for one but told me he would continue to play for her..even as he transitioned from High school football into College Football at UTSA.  Many things have changed over the last two years and many people have faded away..So trust me when I say there is NOTHING that lifts a broken mothers heart more than someone who continues to walk beside you when you know they have so many other choices. His heart is as special as his talent.  He is always interacting with the younger generation inspiring them to never give up on their dreams and always seems to keep an eye out for the less fortunate offering his support.  He helped us pick out and pick up our Christmas tree last year because we didn’t have a truck to get it home and continues to watch out for and be a part of Cameron’s life.  I can not thank him enough for all he has done for not only Sydney but my family. I have included some of my favorite pics of him (wearing the blue “PlayForJeter” bracelet)..some pics of him and Sydney and a pic I edited of them together..I still believe she is one of his biggest fans!!

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I was completely satisfied with just being there..but God had so much more in store for me

. Getting to Know Sydney, Sydney's Book . , , , , ,

 

When I initially got tickets to Spirit Fest 2015 I was just exited to be able to go and be a part of it..as the months passed and I checked the entertainer lineup it just kept getting better and better..All my favorites..and one that will forever hold a special place in my heart.  Anyone who was at Sydney’s service knows that the last song she heard was By Your Side by Tenth Avenue North..I can’t help but think of her and feel her presence anytime I hear the song. It was such a blessing to know they would be a part of spirit fest and I would get to see them perform again..At this point I’m more than satisfied, its more than I would have even asked for..but I had no idea the special moments God would have in store for me that night..I never attend an event without I think you’re beautiful cards, or a couple of books.  I’ve usually already thought and planned to who or where I’m going to give share the books, but for some reason I brought them but didn’t really plan on giving them out.. Then I saw on the program they had set up autograph sessions with some of the bands and one was Tenth Avenue North..As I made arrangements to be there for the autograph session I kept thinking I would give them a copy of her book..we decided to see if they would autograph the cover of one of my extra books..I don’t usually get all shaky and nervous, but I guess even though I was filled with joy and happiness at the opportunity God was giving me, my emotions were unavoidable..As I stepped up to Mike (the singer) I was able to take a moment and tell him a little bit of Sydney’s story and told him why I was giving him a copy of her book..I asked if he would take a picture with her book and of course he didn’t hesitate, and then just a few hours later I’m standing right in front of the stage..watching an amazing performance and I get a tweet telling me I’ve won a special prize..I wasn’t able to leave where I was without losing my place so my friend Missy asked them if they would hold it until Tenth Avenue North finished..after the performance my mom and I headed to see what I won..I’m still thinking its a t shirt or a photo or something…so when I walked up to find that I had won an autographed guitar I was more than overwhelmed..I was basically speechless..The guitar was autographed by all the artist who performed at Spirit Fest 2015..that would be Third Day, David Crowder, Matthew West, Matt Maher, Tenth Avenue North, Sidewalk Prophets, Francesca Battistelli, Danny Gokey, Mr Talkbox, Dan Bremnes, Jon Guerra, and I think a few more..What an amazing gift and blessing..God truly had his hands on me and my life..A special thank you Spirit Fest and Mike from Tenth Avenue North for becoming a part of her legacy

 

 

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A little bit of the story behind the card…I think you’re beautiful <3 Sydney :D

. I think you're beautiful . , , , ,

PicMonkey CollageIf you’ve received one of Sydney’s cards I hope you feel the love of an angel surrounding you and I hope you know that you are beautiful ❤ Your card is our way of keeping Sydney’s memory and love alive..we hope that you consider sending the card with a pay it forward or sharing it with someone you know who may need to be reminded that no matter how they feel they are beautiful not only to others but to God who has made us in his own image. If you would like to share your story of why you shared your card or how it felt to receive the card feel free to leave a comment for others to read.

On the 2 yr anniversary of Sydney accident I was blessed with an amazing gift. Jill Presnal and I had become friends over the last two years and on many occasions she’d listened to me talk about Sydney and the way she “loved” not just me but everyone around her.
I asked Jill to share the story of why she made the cards:

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I always loved seeing Sydney’s sweet notes on your Facebook and twitter feed- a bright spot in my day. The handwritten one on the post it was my favorite and I saved it to my phone. Maybe because I am a boy mom and don’t get little love notes hidden away is why it really touched me. The sweetness and simpleness of a little love note to make someone smile and feel loved. I would come across it when looking for a picture and it would always make me smile. I love the simpleness of it- her own handwriting on a little yellow post it note, tucked away in your bible for you to find. The simpleness of it but with a HUGE impact.

She thought ahead and wanted to make you smile, feel loved, know that you are beautiful. And she did this not just for her mom, but for so many. Bible verses, Instragram posts, kind notes giving others support and love and comfort.
In our world it is rare to come across someone so giving and kind that lifts others up. I thought- wouldn’t it be nice to get a sweet love note like that from someone? A surprise, tucked away in your purse, or book, or even for a stranger- on their windshield. So that is where the idea started- spread Sydney’s love and kindness all around. In a world where there is so much sadness, anger, pain- we all need love and kindness. What a perfect way to brighten someone’s day or surprise a friend or stranger. I have one on my visor by a very special picture and whenever I flip it down and see the photo with Sydney’s sweet words I smile. And I hope that is what everyone does when they get a Sydney love note, smile and feel loved.

IMG_9015The I think you’re beautiful card originated from a post it note Sydney left in my bible. She was always leaving what I would call “love” notes or encouraging notes for people to find. I believe God knew I would need some encouraging words from her so he had her leave it for me to find..after the accident I began using Sydney’s bible when I attended church or bible study because it made me feel close to her. So I didn’t end up finding this extremely cherished “love” note until several months after the accident.

It has been (by far) one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever received because she has given me a way to continue “loving” people the way Sydney would have loved them if she were here.

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Two more of Sydney’s “love” notes The first one was left for one of her soccer team mates and the last one she wrote on her Daddy’s grocery list. She was at the end of her Sophomore year of high school when she left these so those around her would know how much they meant to her. I challenge you..I challenge you to stop for a minute and let someone know how much you love them or that you think they rock your socks, or that they are beautiful