Once again our reenacting community of friends are feeling the pain of loosing a friend.  Even more reason to make every minute count when we are together.
    Jack and Kelsey were on their way to the Lockport, IL. event held on September 7 & 8, 2002.  They were pulling their trailer packed with their gear to set up their medical and Catholic chapel impressions.  News at this point is sketchy but somehow their vehicle went out of control and they wrecked somewhere near Joliet, IL.  Both were taken to a hospital there.  Kelsey had a mangled hand requiring reconstructive surgery and is heavily sedated and just out of intensive care today, the 9th.  Jack received extensive injuries and no amount of modern medical technology could save him.
    Jack and Kelsey had a lot in common--they loved life, they loved sharing it especially through reenacting the Civil War time period and they loved saving it---they were both in the nursing profession.  Those that knew them,  could tell wonderful stories of their friendship.
    The first time I met Kelsey, she came late to a workshop at the Parlor in her Nun's habit dragging a spinning wheel.  I stopped the class and made room for her up front by me.  It was the first time I had seen this impression at an event and really was concerned that it was not an impression.  Likewise, the ladies there felt the same and offered up stools for her to sit on.  We became instant friends.
    At the Galesburg, IL. event where Jack and Kelsey live and have supported this event through the years, they planned to wed for real.  This was 4 years ago.  In the spring of that year, Kelsey had asked me to do her hair for the wedding.  She showed up at the Keokuk, IA. event with a new red dye job.  I grabbed her head with both my hands and screamed "What am I going to do to be able to match this stuff!!" She proclaimed that Jack wanted her hair this color.  As luck would have it some new shades had been introduced and one was a perfect match.  So I did her hair for the wedding.  Somehow, they lost one of the chalices for the wedding.  I hurriedly grabbed my silver one, quick cleaned it and sent it over.  Jack had to drink from it and I told him later, that I sure hoped he didn't notice the toothpaste on it from when I brushed my teeth that morning----of course he went---"Oh Yuck"!!!  Well, hey, we do the best we can on short notice.  Molly their little dog was all dressed in her little ruffley dress and was to be in the wedding.  However, Link had always had a crush on her and was simply bowled over by the dress and thought she shouldn't go.  So Molly stayed with us and watched from a short distance.  They allowed their wedding to be held in the pavilion in the middle of the sutlers area, but not their reception meal.  So up went the back side of the Parlor to form a shelter for the tables laden with food.  Kelsey's mother, Carole had worked so hard to make the food and outfits but didn't get the buttons sewed on Kelsey's dad's pants for his braces.  He stood so still out front of the Parlor while I quickly sewed buttons on the back waist of his pants.  Before the year was out they had lost him.  But it was a happy day with their familys blending together with all their extended reenacting families there celebrating with them.  As a thank-you, Kelsey made me a pin cushion with a pair a scissors hanging on a ribbon from it complete with my name embroidered on it.  If you have ever been in the Parlor at an event, you have seen it laying on the counter---it is never far from my reach.  I just showed it to her again at the Galesburg event in August and told her how much I use it and appreciate it.
    The news comes and we wait to hear the details and yet we really don't need to know or hear----it is enough to just absorb the knowledge that we have lost a friend.  Jack was a good person to know, he always had a smile on his face and a chuckle rumbling out of him.  We will miss him.  We will do our best to help Kelsey in her time of need.  Someday we will understand.