someone from my sister stacy’s past sent the following email about my mother.
"I don’t know if you will remember me. We went to Offense Defense Tennis Camp together ( think Sergio Mendes song, "Never Gonna Let You Go ") I remember having a blast with you and Lainie. You roomed across the hall from me. You guys were so fun. I remember you gave me my first pair of Guess jeans. We also had a crush on the tennis coach Darren (who I heard died soon after camp from a brain tumor.)
Then I remember your Sweet Sixteen. Lol. Let me set the scene…..formal and lovely event in your home. Debbie from Jericho in a gorgeous black taffeta gown. My mom makes the executive decision to send me in a white cotton sailor top and short matching skirt that G-D knows she probably bought at Lohmans. I showed up looking like a prepubescent reject. Your mom spots me…and being the wonderful woman she was…takes total pity on me. She could tell I was mortified. She sent me upstairs with your sister to look at the Cabbage Patch dolls you guys got. (Ps…you had the first one I ever saw 😉 Anyway..she coaxed me back down into the party and winked at me periodically. I finally was able to enjoy the Weathergirls. Still think of your party when I hear It’s Raining Men. I left your house thinking she and Jackie O hung the moon.
Fast forward… I read about your moms passing. I felt like a sledgehammer caught me in the ribs. I know.. this is so weird. Why is some person from 24 years in your past feeling so connected? It was the gift you shared with your mom. A compassion that I still remember. I want you to know… to this day…when my kids have friends come over- I always can spot the odd man out. The one who feels like a loser. I immediately jump into Bunny K. mode.
I want to express my sadness to you and your great family. I want you to know that on that evening of entertaining so many and kvelling about you….your mom made room for me. Your mom gave me the attention, compassion and confidence I needed.
I know the fact that I never forgot about you is a testament to the fact that she raised you within her shadow. You both cast the same light and shape. I will never forget her."
lovely huh?
later i’ll post pictures of alexis and me during yesterday’s photo shoot…
remember…today is open phones!
xxx
jennifer
aim:whateverradio
facebook:jennifer koppelman hutt
TGL says
very sweet!!
Emily in Atlanta says
What a sweet memory of your mother and such a kind way of sending her condolences.
Beautiful.
Annette in CA says
what a beautiful letter
Hope you are doing a little better each day!
Diane from St. Louis says
Wow…we should all take lessons in expressing our sympathy. What an amazing gift to your family.
boop says
Absolutely beautiful! What a testament to both your mom and your sister. I’m sitting here with tears in my eyes.
jax says
so beautiful!
Ariel says
Uh, okay . . .I’m totally crying!!!! Very very sweet!
Amy says
WOW, what a letter and what an amazing women your mother was. Oh be proud Jennifer.
gigi/joann says
wow jen, what a beautiful blog. This is what I love about life. There was your mom, just being herself, and touched someone so deeply she probably didn’t even realize it. Just beautiful!
Jennifer says
It is so comforting to know that your mom touched so many. You will never know how important such a small kindness can be in someone’s life.
Peace.
Kristi M. says
Beautiful letter.
az4758 says
Beautiful!
Jean Marie says
Wow, that is what life’s about. Those simple but so very meaningful events that continue on in another way. Really a lovely letter too, so well expressed. Hope you are doing well, Jennifer. Jean Marie
marc in sf says
Started my morn w/ a good cry, Thanks!
Tracey says
You be very proud that your mom had such a positive impact on so many people. I am sure it warms your heart to know that people remember her so fondly after many years.
People should be lucky enough to leave memories like that for one person…your mom made lasting impressions on many. That’s a spectacular legacy.
Gabrielle says
Wow, now I’ve been touched by Bunny too. Thanks for sharing.
Jane M says
I just got choked up reading that note. Very very thoughtful.
Susan - CT says
Jennifer what lovely note. Thank you for sharing….your mom has touched many people.
Jen in PA says
Wow. What a testament to the person she was. So nice for that person to take time to share such a lovely memory.
Melissa says
This is better then any sympathy card!! What a wonderful mom you have!!
wildwihit says
and the tears flow again…
Thanks for sharing
Lynne says
It just goes to show that you can meet someone for a very brief time and they can change your life forever…
KaraBara says
This letter touched me in a way that is not easily explained. I was always the odd man (girl) out and wish there was a “Bunny” who took the time and compassion to rescue me too! What a lovely & compassionate Mother.
On a side note, you and Alexis are the
ONLY reason I renewed my Sirius Radio subscription..I couldn’t stand not knowing what you two are doing every day. Keep up the great work…
sharon in middleburg fl says
That was a very nice email. Your mother sounds amazing, what I aspire to be for my children. You are very lucky to have had a wonderful mother. I am so sorry she is gone.
Lesa From New City,NY says
That is the perfect example of the ripple effect your incredible mom had in terms of touching so many lives. You were one of the closest to her and therefore one of the luckiest. I know that as a fan of your show that her death touched me so deeply because of your love for her and the warmth and love that pervaded every phone call she made to the show. I can only imagine her in person…you have that warmth and spirit too and a beautiful heart as well.
touching letter says
what a nice letter to receive.
Karen B. says
OMG – What a lovely tribute to your wonderful mother. I can see why you miss her so much. I’m going to try to be more like Bunny when around my kids’ friends. You hope as a parent you make a difference – that email shows you can – Bunny sure did.
Sarah says
Wow. That was beautiful.
Sarah says
Beautiful
brenda says
now that’s a sympathy card!!!!! Beautifully written for an obviously deserving family, it made me cry.
Amy in AZ says
That is amazing. What incredibly sweet things to say about someone! And a great tribute to the affect a person can have on others without even realizing it.
Sherri S says
Very lovely – reading it made my cry.
joycelyn says
wow, that is the type of testiment we would all hope for. how nice that your sisters friend actually took the time to write it rather than just think it.
And how lovely to have it shared with all of us.
Joycelyn
Jen in PA says
I forgot to ask how your father is doing. As awful and world-rocking as my own mother’s death was for me, it took my dad sooooo much longer to feel normal because his loss was CONSTANTLY around him, every minute.
Nick says
What a lovely remembrance of your dear Mom. Her kindness and empathy obviously touched many. Thanks for sharing.
Cinnamon says
Jennnifer, that is so sweet! What a testament to the kind of woman Bunny was!
wow says
That was such a sweet letter. It gave me goosebumps to read.
Jamie in CA says
That letter is AMAZING. What a wonderful way to remember her. Thank you for sharing it!
Amy says
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful note. Says so much about your mom that she took the time in the midst of your sister’s party to focus in on someone and make them feel comfortable. What a beatiful legacy. As my daughters grow older, I’m going to be watching for opportunities to “jump into Bunny K. mode”, as well.
thoughtful says
What an incredibly nice and very thoughtful letter. I’m sure hearing stories like that one helps you and your family cope from day to day.
Shelly says
She sounds like she was an amazing woman.
nancy says
i lost my mom 3years ago and someone from my childhood sent me a letter about my mother,it is so wonderfull to see your mom through sombody elses eyes..my thoughts r with you…aftr time the memories become easier its not just about the sickness and the suffering…
Tedde - Julie says
Not to take away from your mother, but when are you going to reveal the TV show you and Alexis did. If you have already I am sorry I wasn’t paying attention, I have been busy this summer 🙂
Time to get the BUNNY JOURNAL together dear Jenny says
You and your family could compile a momento of all that kind of thing..for Christmas ?
A journal you all contribute to and give at Christmas or your own holiday
HANAKA
Also a chair as always for your mom no matter what the occasion is…
MOM’S CHAIR:)
on this chair her favorite flowers..
and her favorite { whatever you feel she loved a lot]
Sonja says
What a thoughful email from your friend. You need to keep in touch with her. Bunny was a very special person. I wonder how many more people she has touched like that. Bunny Rocks!
Jjen & Alexis I have a problem to share says
I washed my pillow
I threw it in the dryer
I thought it was dry
i put it on my bed
water gushed out all over my bed
oh ya it looks like i ….piddled…
Liz on LI says
That was a very sweet note. Thanks for sharing.
Matt V says
Very cool…really!
Erin from Pittsburgh says
Oh, Jennifer, that e-mail is so touching. I could almost see it happening and see how your mother’s face would look to that young girl, because you shared that lovely photo of your mother with us. You could tell by that photo that she was sweet. I see it like a movie in my imagination. How wonderful that she wrote the e-mail and shared that. You could completely feel what she felt about your mother. Oh my. I hope this makes sense in the way I am relaying it. I’m kind of rambling, but I was very touched by this e-mail you shared.
Hurricane says
That was so fantastic of that woman to share her special memory of your Mom with your family… a true testament of Bunny’s greatness.
Karen A says
That was just beautiful!
Susan C says
Wow! Your mom not only looked gracious, she WAS gracious in every pore of her body.
I never met her, but she continues to inspire me. Thanks so much for sharing her.
Lisa says
HOW INSPIRING! And what a wonderful legacy. If everyone would take the kindest thing that’s ever been done for them –as well as the ugliest thing for how NOT to behave– and use that as the paradigm for their own behavior, it WOULD be a “Wonderful World”!!
To have touched so many, by virtue of those who have read or heard this story in addition to those who were personally graced by your mom’s kindness, is a beautiful way to be remembered and to show that no one who shares kindness and compassion will ever really die. Not as long as the example set by those acts is perpetuated by the recipients of love and good will.
It has to be that much harder to have lost her, knowing that the world, too, has lost a gracious, kind soul…
Aloha
Jules AZ says
Wow, that is beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Goose bumps and tears…
Leigh says
I am sitting in the business center of a swanky hotel with tears streaming down my face. How lucky you and your siblings are to have been raised by such an amazingly compassionate woman.
Enphal says
That’s so sweet! She captured your mother’s essence in one letter. I want to be remembered like that, someday. =)
Tina says
That was the most awesomest email!
Susannah says
Totally cried….