In the days after my only sibling, Jenna Marie, age 33, died unexpectedly in September, 2019, for medical reasons neither she nor anyone elseknew about, my husband Eddie composed a song in her memory. He wrote about the song and its themes below.
You'll Always Shine: Jenna's Song
Themes and music written and played by Eddie Vergara
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." ~Matthew 5:14-16
This bible verse came to mind as we began to think about Jenna. She shed a bright and pure light, one that caught the eye of everyone that was part of her life. She led a life led by her strong faith and a simple innocence that she carried with her in everything she did. Her love for family was so strong, you could literally touch it via the intimately made presents she gifted us all. It seemed to us all that nothing in this world would prevent this light from shining.
Jenna's Song has five distinct and consecutive themes:
First Theme (Introduction): It shocked us all and rocked us to our cores when suddenly this bright, beautiful, sparkling light ceased to shine. We say, “What happened? Where did it go? How could it have stopped shining? How is it possible such light could have disappeared so suddenly?”
Second Theme: We remember the light, its beauty, its steadiness, and its brightness. We replay in our minds our moments with Jenna: her calm yet sweet voice, her demure yet approachable personality, how she tackled challenges in life grounded by faith and for the glory of God. We are able to remember this light easily because it was brilliant and clean, uncomplicated and free from all that could have dimmed it.
Third Theme: Just as we rush for a candle when the lights go out, we long for this light to shine again, so we fall to prayer: “Lord, you have taken Jenna to hold her in your arms, and we miss her terribly. There is such darkness now… God, help us see her light again.”
Fourth Theme: We hear an answer to our prayer. We are no longer startled or confused about the missing light. God reminds us we are all the light of the world. God's grace empowers each one of us to keep Jenna’s light shining here on earth using our own lives. We recognize how Jenna’s distinct light touched our hearts, how we have learned from it, how through our actions – or inactions – we can help the world see its twinkle. We stand proud and confident, knowing that we can make her light shine again, and in turn, that we too can make our own light be brighter and purer for others to see. We are joyful that through Jenna’s memories, our lights will evermore “shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Ending Theme: One day, we will all be called to join Jenna in heaven, our lights unified as one and shining together in joy before God in heaven.
you-will-always-shine.mp3