Whitney Nelson December 10, 1986 - March 25,2007
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It was one year ago today that my sister Whitney, who was 20 years old, passed away. This event has been on my mind a lot lately so I thought I would share some of my thoughts and feelings. This year has had its ups and downs for our family as we have tried to learn how to deal the loss of our loved one. There have been many happy moments as I recall the wonderful times that I had with Whitney and the wonderful, happy, bubbly person that she was. And then I have days that much heartache and sorrow are felt as I remember the events that occured. Although there have been many challenging days I feel so grateful for this experience because it has deeply strenghtended my testimony of the Plan of Salvation and knowing that I will be able to see her again. I know that Whitney is happy, and that she is near us cheering us on through our journeys in life. I love you Whitney!!
Memories of Whitney:
1. Her deep raspy voice!!
2. Her self-appointed middle name "Cheyenne". She wasn't given a middle name but she knew that my dad loved the name Cheyenne and wanted to name her that but my mom didn't like it. So she decided that she would just call herself Whitney Cheyenne anyway. Funny thing is: Whitney Cheyenne Nelson is on her diploma.
3. Her passion for fashion and beauty. Whitney was a diva! She graduated from Dallas Roberts Hair Academy, worked at Banana Republic, and the MAC counter at Nordstrom.... NEED I SAY MORE!! She dreamed of living in New York and doing makeup for 'Stars'!
4. The way that she could deeply express how she felt, whether happy or sad.
5. Her quick wit and sense of humor. After her passing a friend of our family relayed this story to us: She was at one of Cammie's basketball games, wearing her Provo High Cheer clothes, cheering Cammie on and this lady turned to her and asked her why her family is so amazing and her response was "I can't tell you! It's our family secret!"
6. When we were in High School I can't tell you how hours Whitney spent helping me straighten my hair!! But it was the ritual that I remember the most. She would come down in my room at night and we would turn on The Wedding Planner and she would spend about an hour or longer straightening my long, curly, frizzy hair. Sometimes we would actually watch the movie and quote the lines but other times we would just chat. Then when she was done she usually wanted to just sleep in my room with me. GOOD TIMES!
7. Whitney and I one year took some summer school classes together. I just remember that we loved to go to Carl's Jr for breakfast whenever we saw the sign for Buy 1 Get 1 Breakfast Sandwiches. When we would go there we would get the sandwiches and then Whitney would always ask for an order of Criss-cut fries. It was not a breakfast item but they were always willing to cook some up, which Whitney loved since we knew they were VERY fresh!! It would take longer since they weren't already cooked and we would always go through the drive-thru and they would usually ask us to pull forward and they would bring them to us when they were done. So if we were running late Whitney couldn't order fries!
8. I remember one Halloween, in high school, that Whitney just really wanted to dress up and wanted me to dress up with her. She dressed up as a Barbie (Of Course!) and I didn't really have anything in mind for myself. Well Whitney really wanted to rat my hair so she had the "great idea" of having me just wear all black and paint my face white and she would rat my hair to make me just look like a scary Halloween something... We then just walked around the neighborhood knocking on a few neighbors doors just for fun!! I was actually a bit embarassed but Whitney always had a way of talking you into things.
9. Whitney loved Macaroni and Cheese, WITH PEAS!! I don't know why this really stands out to me but I remember that Whitney loved to come home from school and make and eat a WHOLE box of Mac 'n Cheese WITH PEAS in it. That or Ramen Noodles. Well every time we eat Mac 'n Cheese we eat it WITH PEAS! And every time I eat it I think of her!! Funny thing is: when she passed away and we were going through some things in her room sure enough when we found her "Secret Stash" there was a box of EASY MAC!! Even when Whit was trying to eat good she still had to have her MAC!
10. One other thing that makes me think of Whitney every single time I see it is SUSHI! She is the one that introduced me to it. She loved to go to this restaurant call Demai (sp?) on Tuesdays when Sushi was $2-$4/roll. One night when I was visiting Utah she went there with some friends and brought a roll home for me to try!
