Subject: Jessica Rose
Date: Fri, 23 Jun 2000 15:27:48 -0700
From: Mark Metcalfe <metcalfe>
Organization: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
To: "metcalfe@cadence.com" <metcalfe>

As some of you know, I have been rebuilding by address book and
addressing other headaches with the loss of my laptop's motherboard.
This will be the first test of the distribution list.  I am including
the text read at Jessica's graduation service for your enjoyment.
Hope this works out.

Mark
===================================================================

                      Jessica Rose Metcalfe

The name Jessica means wealthy, and you were our rich treasure from
the day we knew you were on the way.  My father would tell each of his
four sons that each of them was his favorite.  We all wondered what
that really meant, although I think I have a new perspective on the
matter.

Baby Jessica was our crier.  Most people know you as the "quiet one"
but you came into that in your later years.  Back when TV remotes were
ultrasonic, Jessica once changed the channels with her patented
scream.  As much as that was a difficulty to endure, you more than
made up for it from the very beginning with your bright eyes and
broad, cheery smile.

For a while, it was just you and Mandy, and you and your sister did
everything together.  She often directed and you followed as big
sisters and little sisters do.  Being the second child, and almost
always following, your mother and I understood that you needed your
own identity beyond being Miranda's little sister, or Mark and Joy's
second daughter. We got you a Cabbage Patch doll, different from your
sister's; one that had a pacifier in its mouth!  And for a time, Carl
Grant was your only brother, our only son.

We encouraged you to take piano lessons, a gift no other sibling has.
You developed talents in story writing, drawing, and sculpture;
imagine without our help or encouragement at all!  You have always
done well in school, elected as Top Sixth Grader by all the teachers
of your elementary school, and graduating in the top ten percent of
your class just this month.

We moved to Lowell when you were 2 years old.  Your first teacher at
church was Grammy Linton.  Most will remember that you had much longer
hair than you do now.  Your pigtails would extend past your
outstretched arms.

When you were a little girl, we bought you five 10-cent goldfish and I
told you that "goldfish are like light bulbs; they burn out and you
replace them." When a few of them did burn out and we held brief
ceremonies around the toilet bowl, you cried.  It was only recently
that you revealed to us that you cried just because you thought you
should not because you missed the slimy little creatures.

I bought a video camera back then and some people thought I was kind
of kooky to take pictures of everyday events in our lives, but some of
my fondest memories are on those tapes of a little girl enjoying a cup
of orange juice with her big sister; of a saucer-eyed wide-grinning
beauty coming right up to the lens of my camera; of walks and trips
and musicals, and of course birthdays and holidays, too.

[ I knew someday that my kids would grow up and they would become
independent adults. I told myself often that it was important to
prepare them to become just that because that is the nature of things.
I think I may have forgotten to prepare myself.  You spend all your
time watching them grow and they do!  And time still passes in just a
few heartbeats. ]

Rose, your middle name, reflects the beauty and sweet fragrance that
you give to people.  You are my Rose!  Several mothers in this church
have been telling us for years that they would like to have you for a
daughter-in-law.  I always smiled at them but never was in any hurry
to make any arrangements.  No offense to any of them; I just knew that
I wanted all the time I could get to be number 1 with you.  I found
out that one mother in this church asked her son about possibly dating
Jessica and the young man said, "No way, Mom!  Her dad would kill me!"
And I did nothing to dispel that image.

In a few short weeks, the time will come when our family becomes four
plus two and you head off for a most excellent adventure.  (I am glad
your big sister will be there to share some of the experience.  In
many ways, I wish I was.)

If I have taught you anything of value, I am humbled.  You are a fine
Christian young woman and I am very, very proud of you.

With all my love,

Dad

(From Mom)

P.S. This week as I have thought about what I wanted to say to you, it
has been a time of real nostalgia for me. I couldn't help but think of
the 2-year old you were when we moved here and how you have grown.

In some ways you have changed so much. At 2 you were so sensitive that
it seemed like you cried over so many things, I wondered how you would
survive school where kids can be so cruel but you took that
sensitivity and used it to become aware of others' feelings.  You have
become the most caring and compassionate teenager I know.  Many adults
could learn from you.

In other ways you haven't changed much. I remember 3-yr olds Jessica
and Andrew Magnuson sitting in the back seat of the car making up
jokes. They weren't very good and often didn't make sense. You're
still a joker and although your jokes now make sense, they still often
make us groan.

We have had so many wonderful times watching you grow up. I sincerely
miss the renditions of Down By the Bay sung to us by Kara, Heather,
Mandy and Jessica as we drove from church to home and back again, and
yes it was ALL THE WAY from church to home and back again!!

As I get ready to let you go I am proud of the woman you are. Your
talents are many. You have entertained me with your stories and poems
and never cease to amaze me with the beautiful things you can sculpt
with your hands. Your sense of humor makes you a joy to be around and
you have made the words "you're both right" famous in our house as you
have become the ultimate mediator. You love the Lord and it shows.
You have made being a parent easy and I will miss having you around,
but I look forward to seeing what the Lord has in store for you and I
know that you are ready to face the challenges that are ahead.

I love you!

Mom