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Dying Girl's Last Wish - A Wedding
Filed under: In The News, Amazing Kids
Every little girl dreams about her wedding day, complete with visions of a big beautiful white dress and, of course, the perfect man. But 9-year-old Jayla Cooper doesn't have a lifetime to wait for Mr. Right. The Southlake, TX, girl has been battling leukemia for two years, a battle that could end in just a matter of weeks.
But what Jayla does have is a groom. He's her best friend, Jose Griggs, a fellow patient at Children's Medical Center in Dallas. "He is very cute," Jayla giggled, "And I love him."
Jayla and Jose recently tied the knot to fulfill her final wish: Getting married in a beautiful wedding, surrounded by family and friends.
"Will you take Jose to be your friend, forever and ever?" the pastor asked a tiara-topped Jayla.
"I will," she replied.
"We didn't expect to do this when she was nine years old," said Lisa Cooper, Jayla's mom. "But she has taught us all how to love each other and to be strong." The children aren't legally married, of course. In fact, the ceremony itself celebrated their intent -- to always be friends, no matter what.
"Of course I was shocked to find out that her big request would be a wedding, but it was, so that is what she got," Tina Kirkpatrick, a planner with the catering hall, Paradise Cove, told ParentDish. Jayla organized it all, from the colors, menu (chicken enchiladas), cake and song for the father-daughter dance -- "It's Your Love" by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. "She's already on morphine but I have never seen her look so good. She was shimmering."
Photography, catering and all the other services for the wedding were donated. Jayla's father, Jerry Cooper, is on family leave from work. If you would like to make donations to help the family, go to GRACE.
But what Jayla does have is a groom. He's her best friend, Jose Griggs, a fellow patient at Children's Medical Center in Dallas. "He is very cute," Jayla giggled, "And I love him."
Jayla and Jose recently tied the knot to fulfill her final wish: Getting married in a beautiful wedding, surrounded by family and friends.
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9-Year-Old Girl Fulfills Her Final Wish
Nine-year-old Jayla Cooper, who suffers from late-stage leukemia, married her best friend in a celebration of life and friendship. "We didn't expect to do this when she was nine years old, but she has taught us all how to love each other and to be strong," said Lisa Cooper, Jayla's mother.
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Photograph courtesy of Livermore Photography
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"Will you take Jose to be your friend, forever and ever?" the pastor asked a tiara-topped Jayla.
"I will," she replied.
"We didn't expect to do this when she was nine years old," said Lisa Cooper, Jayla's mom. "But she has taught us all how to love each other and to be strong." The children aren't legally married, of course. In fact, the ceremony itself celebrated their intent -- to always be friends, no matter what. "Of course I was shocked to find out that her big request would be a wedding, but it was, so that is what she got," Tina Kirkpatrick, a planner with the catering hall, Paradise Cove, told ParentDish. Jayla organized it all, from the colors, menu (chicken enchiladas), cake and song for the father-daughter dance -- "It's Your Love" by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. "She's already on morphine but I have never seen her look so good. She was shimmering."
Photography, catering and all the other services for the wedding were donated. Jayla's father, Jerry Cooper, is on family leave from work. If you would like to make donations to help the family, go to GRACE.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 15)
2-24-2009 @ 2:11PM
Sharon said...WHY CAN';T THERE BE NEWS LIKE TO EVERY DAY? WHY DOSE IT TAKE SUCH YOUNG LOVING CHILDREN TO SHOW US ADULTS WHAT FRIENDS AND FRIEDNSHIP ARE REALLY TRUE LOVE,THROUGH GOOD AND BAD, NO ONE JUDGING ANY ONE, JUST DREAMS THAT THEY HAVE SO YOUNG IN THEIR BODIES AND HEARTS THAT ARE SO BIG, MY PRAYERS FOR BOTH OF THE FAMILIES, AND THANK YOU AS THE PARENTS FOR LETTING THEIR DREAM COME TRUE,YOU'RE WONDERFUL CARING LOVING PARENTS HAVE SHOWED HER AND HER FRIEND WHAT FRIENDSHIP AND LOVE REALLY IS,
Reply
2-24-2009 @ 3:51PM
arieldee said...I agree with you. Every single message board on the internet is filled with hateful comments fueled by shallow, nonsensical and irrevelant issues....even talking about socks or baking a pie turns into a brutal horrid bashing contest. It boggles the mind.
The beauty and truth of this story - that the only real meaning of life, no matter how long or short our time is here - is Love.
God help us all.
2-24-2009 @ 6:37PM
LaMont said...I agree. This is the type of story we need in society today. This young lady is testament of not letting life's obstacles keep you from staying positive. I truly enjoyed this article, and may GOD bless this family.
2-24-2009 @ 8:18PM
DEBBIE said...This was so beautifully written. Very touching :):):)
2-24-2009 @ 8:45PM
Debra said...I could not have said it any better myself...What beautiful children with such big hearts...It is sad that the world could loose such a great asset to society....It also says alot about the parents that raised them....God Bless each and everyone of you.
2-25-2009 @ 2:48AM
tkmichaud said...This girl's dream came true and for that, we should all be grateful. I'm a 50-year-old woman but I still say, the "hater" need to back down when real life like this comes into play. I hope she had the best day of her until now, short life.
2-28-2009 @ 10:44PM
naturesjewel said...That was the most beautiful story about a brave family who believes in one day at a time. Memories like theirs will last a lifetime. My heart goes with those families , I pray for their endurance and thank them for sharing such a private time in their lives. God is forver holging their hands thru this journey called life.
3-01-2009 @ 2:25PM
badancer923 said...This is so touching, I wish the news was always like this! I think I'm about to cry because that's just so beautiful that this child's one dying wish was for love and I just hope alot of people learn from this that there's more to the world than whatever the heck people are doing these days. We can just sit down, take a breather, live life, and love no matter when it may end.
3-04-2009 @ 1:18PM
Mary Sullivan said...I agree, too. Wish stories like this one got more press. We could all learn much about courage and perspective from this little girl. I have some vivid memories of pretend "weddings" from childhood....such a sweet thing, but in this case it's so bittersweet. Sending prayers and positive thoughts right now to this family.
Mary
http://www.squidoo.com/lovestamps
2-24-2009 @ 2:21PM
sheila said...How beautiful and yet so very sad. Beauty in the strength and wisdom of that little girl, and sad because her life will be cut way to short on this earth. My prayers to the both families.
Reply
2-24-2009 @ 6:02PM
MARY said...God Bess her mom and dad for being there for her when she needs them most thank them for letting her have her wish that was so sweet of you both thank God for parents like you may GOD be with you always and bless you both Mary Martinez from Atwater California.
2-24-2009 @ 2:19PM
billy said...We dedicate this song to you!
Mona Lisa
http://www.myspace.com/thebilliesmusic
Reply
2-24-2009 @ 2:32PM
Linda said...God Bless Jayla and her family. I believe this was a beautiful thing that her parents did for their daughter. Not only did they make her wish come true, they themselves will always have the wonderful memories of their daughters last wish. I thank the caterer photograper and all the other people involved in helping this little girl and her family make her dying wish come true. My thoughts and prayers are with Jayla ,her husband Jose, and both sets of their parents. This is a wonderful gift they could give their daughter.
Reply
2-24-2009 @ 2:32PM
Belinda said...How wonderful it is to see children blossom and love without inhibitions. I believe what a lot of us adults don't realize is that once when we were children, it was the purest times of our life; and that is what I see when I read the article about Jayla and Jose. For her parents it is a bitter-sweet time, and my prayer for them and everyone who was involved in this beautiful event is for the comfort and peace in knowing that there was a pure and precious love shared in the life of their daughter. Children are truly one of God's most precious gifts of life.
Reply
2-24-2009 @ 2:33PM
jack said...This brought tears to these old mans eyes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply
2-24-2009 @ 9:57PM
Moira said...Mine too. This old woman cried as well and wished that both could somehow go into remission and live.
2-24-2009 @ 2:32PM
Danielle said...After reading this story, tears started rolling down my face...for the pain that the parents will feel at such a great loss, for the courage and strength that it takes to raise and take care of sick children, for the courage it takes to live knowing your days are numbered and for all the lives that has ans will be changed because of Jayla's and Jose's battles.
If children can face such devasting challenges and still embodies what it means to love, why can't adults remember to do the same thing on a daily basis? Why can't the world accept all who live within as a friend and want nothing more than just friendship?
Reply
2-24-2009 @ 2:36PM
Vicki Lang said...What a beautiful memory for these families to have. These precious children have surely touched more lives already than most do in a lifetime of selfishness and greed. What a beautiful spirit these young ones have. God bless them and their families. Thank you to these families for sharing this with the rest of us.
Reply
2-24-2009 @ 2:50PM
Lorraine Clayton said...GOD BLESS THE HAPPY COUPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES.
Reply
2-24-2009 @ 2:55PM
cherokeekayee said...I feel for these parents.My neice has CF(cystic fiborsis)and the MAKE A WISH foundation granted her wish in December of 2008.I was lucky enough to be able to go with her.Her wish was to go to Disnay World.We did everything she wanted and that her health allowed.Since coming home she has been in the hospital.Everyday we talk about that trip.It made her day or her life.She is only 12 years old and what she has had to endure is amazing the attitude she has is great.Sometimes I look at her at actually see a 40 year old and then reality hits she will never se 40.Anything we can do to make these kids feel normal even for just a minute is worth any money amount in this world.
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