Who is that I see greeting people so enthusiastically some Sunday mornings, or giving me a church bulletin with such eagerness that I could never refuse it? Who is that young lady picking up the cans and packaged food left outside Sunday School classrooms and happily stocking our church’s Food Closet? Sometimes, during the service, I hear her speaking softly but she is not a disturbance, she just adds to the sounds of life and worship around me.
Jill that’s who. Jill has been an integral part of Sardis Community Church for many years and her free spirit and big smile are easy to see. She takes pride in her work as an usher and collector of Food Closet donations, making sure you know her name if you look at all like you don’t! Jill is the daughter of Vera and John who have been members here for many years, ever since they moved to Sardis from Prince George when Jill and her older brother, Kevin, were kids.
Jill describes herself as a “Prader-Willi kid” although she may not be able to define this syndrome in more detail. Her parents speak of Jill with pride, for she has developed into a delightful young lady with a sense of humour, an incredible imagination, a need to finish what she starts, a love of horses, and the knack of seeing beauty in simple things like pet fish, handmade pot holders, and babies.
Jill is very strong willed and needs to keep things categorized and in order, but thankfully does not have the unnatural craving to forage for food and to over-eat, which are most often harmful manifestations of this syndrome.
One does not start a conversation lightly with Jill, as she requires your undivided attention and time. At first it is difficult to understand her speech but with some effort she will help you to comprehend her. Jill has an openness with people. Her laughter is contagious and she invites you into whatever is happening in her life without much fanfare. That’s when a little help from her parents may be needed to clue you into information Jill may ‘presume’ you already know! John and Vera both do this with ease and then allow Jill to continue with you.
Jill graduated from Sardis Senior over 6 years ago and has since done really well in the ACE Program. She has ‘scheduled’ activities such as bowling, volunteering at the Salvation Army kitchen, square dancing, and meeting other friends like Andrea and Jeff at Decades for hot chocolate. She’s worked at the Comfort Inn in the recent past and made many friends there too. Her hobbies are doing puzzles, crafts, word searches, and playing computer games. Vera and Jill have been seen working out at Curves.
A few years ago, Jill was baptised and she continues to show Jesus’ love to others in her caring, child-like way. She moved out from the comforts of her own home when she and her family discovered a group home where she felt welcomed. Now she has ‘extended’ family!
Jill also loves big brother Kevin and sister-in-law, Luanne, who both live in Saskatoon. She eagerly anticipates visits and family reunions with them. There is no doubt that Jill is a very special member of the Sardis Community Church family too.
