June 9th, 2002 - Maryland

A life so full of love and passion, a life so gentle and caring…

I did not know Jessica Cowling personally, yet today I feel differently.

My husband asked me if I knew of a company called Sleepy Badger Brands while reading the Sun in Anne Arundel this morning. I answered, "I am not sure" as I stroke my keyboard busily trying to answer all my morning e-mails.

After a silent moment, I asked curiously "Why?" He said, "The owner was a 31 year old". I heard the "was" part, but somehow it did not register for me, I did not want it to.

"She baked her treats from her home" continued my husband. "She had cancer." He read on…

I got up. Pulled on the pages of the newspaper and saw the picture of a young woman as I heard my husband say, "She has died."

31-year-old lover of life Jessica Cowling has died on July 4th, 2002. In pain, I searched for her website on line. The same black and white photo of Jessica on the newspaper smiled at me through her company website.

She is wearing an oversized shirt, her hands barely showing, her arms lifted as if she is ready to hug everyone, a heart warming pure smile on her young face…

I sit here now with a black and white picture of Jessica, which I cannot stop looking at. Jessica Hammill Cowling lives through her work, family, friends and loved ones.

I will remember you Jessica...

Sevi Kay

• Visit Jessica's website at http://www.sleepybadger.com to read more about this incredible young woman.
• Help Jessica's family and friends fight breast cancer by visiting the-red-devils.org.