“The Light”

In the morning it comes, heaven sent a hurricane
Not a trace of the sun but I don’t even run from rain
Beating out of my chest, my heart is holding on to you
From the moment I knew
From the moment I knew

You are the air in my breath filling up my love soaked lungs
Such a beautiful mess intertwined and overrun
Nothing better than this, oh, and then the storm can come
You feel just like the sun
Just like the sun

And if you say we’ll be alright
I’m gonna trust you, babe
I’m gonna look in your eyes
And if you say we’ll be alright
I’ll follow you into the light

Never mind what I knew, nothing seems to matter now
Ooh, who I was without you, I can do without
No one knows where it ends, how it may come tumbling down
But I’m here with you now
I’m with you now

And if you say we’ll be alright
I’m gonna trust you, babe
I’m gonna look in your eyes
And if you say we’ll be alright
I’ll follow you into the light

Let the world come rush in
Come down hard, come crushing
All I need is right here beside me
I’n not enough, I swear it
But take my love and and wear it over your shoulders

And if you say we’ll be alright
I’m gonna trust you, babe
I’m gonna look in your eyes
And if you say we’ll be alright
I’ll follow you into the light

One year ago today was the first time I heard this song. Little did I know what it would mean. Little did I know that I wouldn’t ever hear it again without going numb. Little did I know that I would avoid playing it at all costs. Because a year ago today, we lost a mother and daughter unlike any I have ever known.

Jacki and Janessa Greig, victims of the San Bruno fire, were role models of what a mother and daughter should be. The Greig family has been an inspiration for my family almost all of my life. I met Gaby when I was eight through Ballet Folklorico and to this day I call her one of my most precious friends. Through the years we’ve seen each other less and less, but the time only adds to the excitement and the collection of stories we must catch up on when we do finally see one another. Gaby and her family are the most generous and genuine people I know. Not a single moment with them was ever one that lacked kindness, love and exceedingly good intentions.

Anissa and I used to wonder if there was some sort of magic that Gaby and Janessa had. Sisters argue. Sisters bicker. Sisters get on each others nerves. But even during these moments it was obvious that Gaby and Janessa really cared for one another and love as innocent and beautiful as theirs just isn’t what we see everyday. Gaby and Janessa were put on this world to show the rest of us what life is all about. What it means to be a family. What it means to do kind things for one another in a heartbeat. And what it means to love.

At my cousin’s confirmation service the priest said a few words about Janessa. He told the church, “those that knew Janessa were blessed, because you met a Saint. Janessa Greig is a Saint”. And I really do believe that. Janessa touched every person she met and encouraged them to be the best possible versions of themselves. Janessa was incredible due to her own radiating heart, but also due to the love and support she had from her mother, sister, father and family. Although her life was cut short, I do believe that she never took a day for granted, and touched every life she encountered.

Jacki was a devoted mother and wife and someone I wish I could one day be like. Everything she did for her family, she did with love. She made my sister and I feel proud of our accomplishments, and I can only imagine how proud she was of her own talented daughters. Jacki was the mother of two brilliant girls, one of which will continue to take on the world through determination, affection and inspiration. I hope she can see her now, because all of us here are dazzled by the strength and beauty beating strong in Gaby. As James must know, Jacki and Janessa continue to live and breathe through her and we are all blessed by them.

I feel as if it is not my place to say these things, for I have only friendship to connect me to these remarkable people, but I hope to speak for those of us who were lucky to have them in our lives. We were all touched. We were all saddened. But we will always love and remember our dear friends Jacki and Janessa.