Friends, Family Light A Candle For HSU Accident Victim
By: Brendaliss Gonzalez
Updated: September 20, 2012
Friends and teammates of the Hardin Simmons University student who died in a car accident last month got together for a special candlelight memorial.
Public prayer is a daily norm for the students at Hardin Simmons University, but this prayer is like none other.
It's a special prayer to honor a friend, classmate and teammate.
Someone who should be right there with them.
"Her not being around, is just really tough," said Leah Greenfield, Rogers' former roommate.
You see they'll tell you 21 year-old Jessica Rogers was taken too soon.
She was killed last month in a car accident.
This month Rogers would be beginning her second year at the university.
"A lot of the Hardin Simmons students weren't able to come to her funeral or anything like that so we just wanted to have a time to celebrate Jessica's life," said Greenfield.
So as her friends and family write a message, laugh and shed a few tears, it's a way to offer comfort and recognition.
"Oh happy thoughts, of where my child is now," said Doug Rogers, Jessica's father.
The past few weeks haven't been easy.
"It's really different walking into a quiet apartment," said Greenfield.
Especially Sept. 7.
"Yes, birthday was a tough day because we would have had had a twenty first birthday and, faith in God," said Rogers.
However, looking back at each picture and remembering that contagious smile seems to offer some kind of healing.
"It's hard to see people grieve, and then its a strange mix of laughter and tears all at the same time," said Rogers.
It's also a way to know that her light will never stop shining.
Public prayer is a daily norm for the students at Hardin Simmons University, but this prayer is like none other.
It's a special prayer to honor a friend, classmate and teammate.
Someone who should be right there with them.
"Her not being around, is just really tough," said Leah Greenfield, Rogers' former roommate.
You see they'll tell you 21 year-old Jessica Rogers was taken too soon.
She was killed last month in a car accident.
This month Rogers would be beginning her second year at the university.
"A lot of the Hardin Simmons students weren't able to come to her funeral or anything like that so we just wanted to have a time to celebrate Jessica's life," said Greenfield.
So as her friends and family write a message, laugh and shed a few tears, it's a way to offer comfort and recognition.
"Oh happy thoughts, of where my child is now," said Doug Rogers, Jessica's father.
The past few weeks haven't been easy.
"It's really different walking into a quiet apartment," said Greenfield.
Especially Sept. 7.
"Yes, birthday was a tough day because we would have had had a twenty first birthday and, faith in God," said Rogers.
However, looking back at each picture and remembering that contagious smile seems to offer some kind of healing.
"It's hard to see people grieve, and then its a strange mix of laughter and tears all at the same time," said Rogers.
It's also a way to know that her light will never stop shining.
