I lost a good friend yesterday. Jessica Hogg was my friend, co-worker, mentor, sounding board, running mate, goof-off buddy, confidant and most of all “Birthday Twin.”
You see, Jessica and I were both born on October 12, 1967. I guess that’s what helped connect us. Something bigger than any of us can imagine somehow put the two of us into the world at the exact same time and it just so happened that our paths didn’t just cross, they were the exact same path for 15 years and the last few years she’s been headed the same direction but in a different lane as she led the team in her Cutler Real Estate office. She was a great manager, an outstanding Realtor, a loving mom of two young men and a loving wife to my friend Chris. Jesse was one of those people you could say was “Good People.”
We shared our love of sports, real estate, parenting and many other things but she always gave me shit because I was older than her (by about 50 minutes we once figured out). She loved to laugh and smile and make others around her better. She was an encourager. She was competitive and would challenge the status quo. She brought life to the room when she entered.
I guess that “path” we were traveling down had an exit that I didn’t know about and it was my friend’s time to take it. I feel like the road ahead is still much longer but something about the journey the rest of the way will feel a bit lonely. I guess whenever we lose a loved one or friend, we should be happy for the time we got to share on the road and simply understand it was time for them to take a different path. Some other journey that no one knows the direction or the speed or the reason for their detour.
Travel safely my friend. You will be missed.
8 thoughts on “Same Path, Different Exit”
Rick Lemmons ·
Sean, thanks for your tribute to Jessica. She certainly touched my life and like you, my journey ahead will be a bit lonely. In spirit she will be around, each time I run I will think of her, someday in the future we will meet up again. RIP Jessica.
Sean ·
Rick – Thanks for the comment. I am sure you’ll think of Jess often when you’re out for a run or long walk
Randy Wax ·
I still can’t believe Jess is gone. Your words reflect many people’s feelings and you state them better than I ever could, Sean. I don’t know many people who wouldn’t like her. She loved her family, her career, sports and beer! She definitely loved life and I know I was glad to be a small part of her life while she was on this earth. Godspeed, Jessica.
Sean ·
Thanks Randy. Hope you’re doing well and will keep a good thought for Jesse’s family.
Michele Mcclaine ·
Words well spoken, I have a funny feeling you will see signs of her in the future . I doubt she is done with you my friend. Her passing was on April Fools . Jesse did it her way. She will be so missed!
Sean ·
Thanks Michele – It’s going to be strange not having Jesse around but she’ll always be with us
Bill Buettner ·
Jess touched so many people’s lives, I’m glad I was lucky enough to be one of them. The time we spent together was full of laughter, life and learning. She was a great motivator, listener, mentor and friend.
Sean ·
Thanks for the comment Bill. Jessica will certainly be missed