On June 29, 1989 at 1:12 p.m. we welcomed into the world a beautiful, black-haired, black eyed baby girl. Jamie weighed 7 lbs. 2 1/2 oz. and was 20 inches long. When I first saw all the black hair she had I thought where in the world did she come from. My other girls were barely there blondes. Jamie ended up the blondest of all the girls. She never did lose her hair though - it just gradually changed from black to blonde. Her eyes changed to a beautiful dark blue. Jamie's sisters were quite proud of their baby sister and were very protective of her.

Jamie's birthday parties usually were on the same weekend that Palermo had its annual Alumni Banquet and street dance. For many years Jamie thought the City of Palermo put on a street dance in honor of her birthday. Beings Jamie's birthday was in the summer and we celebrated it the same weekend as the Alumni Banquet, her parties were quite large, not only would her aunts, uncles and cousins who lived close by help her celebrate but a lot of times her great aunts and uncles too. Some years the cousins from out-of-state were home to visit so they got in on a couple of Jamie's parties also.

After Braedon was born  in 2003 Jamie and Braedon celebrated their birthdays together. 

Randi and Jamie had a joint 16th birthday party. We have a video of their party which is so precisou to me as I get to see the goofy Jamie whenever I want.

On June 19, 2003 we welcomed into the family Kristal's baby boy, Braedon. What a welcomed addition to the family. Kristal called me on June 18 to say they were going to induce her the next day.  Kim was on his way to Colorado to go to work but I got ahold of him on the phone to let him know before he took off. He decided to stay home and go to Bismarck with me to be with Kristal. Kari was in Fargo at Youth Conference and Jamie was at Farmer's Union Camp. Both girls were scheduled to arrive home on the 20th so we made arrangements for their buses to drop them off in Bismarck. Kim and I arrived in Bismarck at around 10:00 a.m. and Braedon was born a little after 1:00 p.m. The delivery went fast. Finally, a little boy in our family of three girls! The next day Kim and I met the girl's on their respective buses and they got to meet their new little nephew. They were quite the proud aunts. Jamie couldn't wait until Braedon was out of the diaper stage and he could be her little buddy to hang around with. Jamie wasn't big on changing diapers. The one time we did leave Braedon with her he had a messy pants - what a rude awakening for her.

Braedon will never really comprehend how much he has helped this family - I won't say to heal because I don't think you ever truly heal from this type of pain, you just learn to live with it. He does manage to put smiles on our faces and makes us laugh. How can you resist a little baby asking "are you happy?" while he's dancing to Barney and making you dance along.

Braedon Stories:

Braedon talks about Jamie alot. He was only 2 1/2 years old when Jamie passed on but she will live forever in his heart.

Winter 2006: Braedon and I came home one night and the stars were shining brightly. Braedon said, "Look at the stars, Grammy." I asked him if Jamie was in those stars and he said, "No, she's playing basketball."

Fall of 2006: We went to watch the girls play volleyball. I told Braedon that we were going to watch Randi play volleyball and on the entire car ride from Palermo to Stanley he asked me if he could see Jamie - and he wouldn't let up. The whole ride was, "Can I see Jamie, Grammy. Please, Grammy." By the time we got to town I didn't know if I'd even be able to go into the school.

Spring 2007: Braedon received a balloon from a store and as we were going into the house I gave him his balloon and told him to hold on tight so he didn't lose it. He threw his hands in the air and said, "Surpirse Jamie!"

Heather's Graduation 2007: While sitting in the school gym Braedon kept on asking to see Jamie. I'm sure the school brings memories of Jamie's games. I think it is so precious he remembers her.

Novmeber 2007: Kristal called me so Braedon could tell me a story about Jamie. He told his mom that Jamie came to play with him and that she taught him how to burp and when he did burp she told him he probably shouldn't do that. When Braedon got on the phone to me he said, "Grammy, will you go get Jamie for me so I can talk to her?" I told him I wish it were in my power to do so. Jamie must have visited Braedon in his dreams.

Braedon had a 3-D movie with four glasses - he told me the glasses were for him, me, Kari and Jamie.

July 4, 2008: After watching the fireworks display Braedon pointed to a star in the sky and said, "There's Jamie." One cloudy night before this he looked into the sky and said, "Jamie, where are you?"

At about 3 a.m. two police officers came knocking on our door with the news no one should ever have to get. Kim was killed in a car accident. As I was standing on my front steps with the police officers, I thought how in the world am I going to break this to Kari and Jamie. Kristal was living in Bismarck so wasn't at home. Kari got so scared that she called Kim's parents, Robert and Gladys, saying two police officers were talking to me but she didn't know why. After I told the girls the news the officers gave us a ride to Robert & Gladys', who only live a mile down the road. As we were on our way we met them coming to our house to see what was going on. No parent should outlive their child and no child should lose a parent when they had so much of their life experiences to share with them. Kristal was fortunate in that her dad was there to dance with her at Prom, teach her how to drive the ElCamino, see her graduate and be with her during the birth of her first child. Moments Kari and Jamie will never get to experience with their dad.

Jamie and Kim showing off one of their hidden talents. They not only looked alike, they acted alike too. Jamie missed her dad terribly. Part of me can take comfort in the fact that Kim was probably the first person to greet Jamie on the other side. I like the idea that they are together once again and that someday we will be able to join them. What a reunion that will be.

Jamie and Kristal showing Dad how's he's suppose to smile for the camera.

Jamie was so proud of her tattoo, but then not very many 15-year olds could claim having a tattoo. Kristal called me one day and asked if it would be okay if she, Kari and Jamie got the nicknames their Dad gave them tattooed on their foot. Kristal and Kari were old enough to get their tattoos but Jamie needed my permission. I thought it was a neat idea and they'd each have a tattoo which held a lot of meaning for them. In the middle of the night this card I received from Kim just popped into my head. It was a card he had given me the year before he died for my 40th birthday and it had all the kids' nicknames on it as well as his and I still had that card. I thought it'd be great to have the tattoos done in their dad's handwriting so that was the plan.

It was quite a weekend for the girls, Kristal, Kari, Jamie and cousin Sarah. They started out the weekend by driving to Fargo from Bismarck to a Kenny Chesney and Gretchen Wilson concert. Braedon and I stayed in Bismarck. The girls got back in the early morning hours after the concert and had appointments to get their tattoos done that next day. All four girls got tattoos, what a bonding experience for them. The tattoo artist was nervous about Jamie's tattoo beings she was so young but she ended up being the best one to tattoo.

Jamie was so excited about her tattoo and couldn't wait to show absolutely everyone. Prior to Jamie's accident she asked if she could get her dad's initials tattooed on her hand. Jamie never got that tattoo.

Jamie was confirmed on October 16, 2005 at the American Lutheran Church in Stanley. She was fortunate enough to have both sets of grandparents, her great aunts and uncles, aunts and cousins and her sisters and nephew help her mark this special event in her life. A time we'll all cherish.

I Wonder

The question.
Was there pain?
Did you feel pain?
Or were you here one minute,
and with God the next?
Was there a tunnel of light?
Or just darkness?
I choose to believe that there
was someone there for you,
hopefully your dad.
I was not.
Maybe even an angel or two,
to ease your fear
when you walked toward
the light of God.
Were you afraid?
Did you hear my cries for you?
Did you feel the loss?
The loss of a life briefly lived,
or were you glad to go?
To go home to your place in Heaven?
I wonder these things.
I wonder where you are.
I wonder how you are.
Do you think of us?
Without you, a piece of our heart
has been taken away.
Are you in pain?
Or does the Light of Heaven
erase the pain?
When will I see you again?
I wonder when your soul left behind
what I knew as my daughter?
I am your mother.
And I don't know how it can be that
you are okay without me.
Each day I push down
the pain in my chest.
The pain that is always there.
The pain of wonder...
What happened to my daughter?
Most of all I wonder,
Why you?

Jamie Dawn Grinolds, 16, from Palermo, ND, died Friday, December 23, 2005, from injuries sustained in a two-vehicle accident 1 mile south of Palermo.

Jamie was born on June 29, 1989, in Stanley, ND, to Kim and Renee Grinolds. She was raised in Palermo and attended school in Stanley, where she was a sophomore. She was a member of the American Lutheran Church of Stanley.

Jamie was involved in numerous activities, among them being 4-H, FFA, Volleyball, Basketball, and Track. Her passion was basketball and she was a starting guard on Stanley’s varsity team. Jamie met and made many friends from around the area through her involvement in sports and extracurricular activities. She was a friendly, outgoing girl who would never pass you by if she saw you. Most of the time she’d run you down just to say “Hi.”

On December 23 God welcomed our little angel on earth to be his little angel in Heaven. She’ll be missed greatly by her family and friends.

Jamie’s Family: mother, Renee, Palermo; her two sisters, Kristal, who attends Bismarck State College, and Kari, who attends Minot State University; nephew, Braedon, Bismarck; maternal grandparents, Marvin & Geraine Johnson, Stanley; paternal grandparent, Robert & Gladys Grinolds, Palermo; aunts, uncles and cousins.

Jamie was preceded in death by her father, Kim, who was killed in a car accident in September of ‘03.

Funeral Service: Wednesday, December 28, 2005, at 2:00 p.m. at the American Lutheran Church in Stanley.

Burial: Rest Haven Cemetery at Palermo. 

Jamie's funeral took place on Wednesday, December 28 at 2:00 p.m. at the American Lutheran Church in Stanley. Jamie was buried at the Rest Haven Cemetery, rural Palermo. She was placed at her daddy's feet. We stayed at the cemetery until they lowered her into the ground. To this day it's still hard for me to believe that my precious baby is gone.

The girl's thought we should talk about Jamie at the funeral, but who could do it was a good question. In the end we decided to write up something to include in the funeral program. How do you condense all the happiness that Jamie brought to those in her life on one page - impossible.

We had such a feeling of peace about us after Jamie's accident and during her funeral. It's like she had her arms wrapped around us and wouldn't let go until she knew we would be okay. We believe that there is life after death and that some day we will all experience it's glory and if Jamie isn't in heaven, there's a lot of us that are in big trouble. During the funeral the sun was shining on Jamie's casket and there was such a glow about it, like rainbows dancing. It was beautiful and we thank the good Lord and Jamie for helping us get through it.

A Tribute To Jamie 

On June 29, 1989, we welcomed into the family a black-haired, black-eyed, seven-pound bundle of joy. Her hair eventually turned blond and her eyes a beautiful dark blue. She loved to look at her baby pictures because she thought she was so cute.

Jamie was a jabber jaw - always talking a mile a minute. There was never a secret in the Grinolds’ household. If she ran out of things to say, she’d start to make things up. When her dad would take her to Minot with him he’d come home and say she talked all the way there and sang all the way home. There was never a dull or quiet moment when Jamie was around. She loved to clown and joke around. How we will fill that void is beyond comprehension.

Jamie had a big smile for everyone and she never passed anybody by who she knew. Most of the time she’d run you down just to say “hi.” She also had no problem walking up to total strangers to say “Hi, my name is Jamie.” She did this from about the time she learned to say her name.

Jamie adored her big sister, Kristal, and looked up to her - always wanting to do what she did. To this day Kristal insists she’s the reason Jamie was such a good little basketball player because she started playing at the same time Kristal did - even though they were 6 years apart. Jamie and Kristal would have fights over whose feet were the cutest. Braedon declared Jamie the winner.

Jamie adored her nephew, Braedon. She loved to play with him and thought he was the cutest little boy around. Braedon will miss playing games with Jamie, all her lovable antics, and playing with Jamie’s feet. Jamie taught Braedon how to make a “mad” look and how to burp. He would always get a hi-five from her when he did the last. When we ask Braedon where Jamie is at he’ll say, Gee be right back. (Wub U Gee)

Jamie was Kari’s best friend. They had their fights like most sisters do but they were also there for each other in their times of need or just if one or the other needed someone to talk to. Anyone who said anything bad about Jamie would get an earful from Kari. They were always sharing each other’s clothes too. If one got something new it wasn’t unusual for the other one to wear it first.

Anyone lucky enough to let Jamie into their heart was blessed. Jamie had a heart of gold and would do anything for those she loved. She was a pleaser who always wanted everyone to get along and to be treated fairly and equally. She accepted you for who you were and she had no problem standing by her friends, even if it would alienate her from the rest of the group. She wanted everyone to like her and was devastated if she thought you didn’t. She was her own worst critic and could come down hard on herself if she didn’t perform like she thought she should have - that was the perfectionist in her.

Jamie loved sports, especially basketball. She wanted to start varsity this year so bad and was so excited when she got to. We’ll miss watching her games and running to all of her sporting events. She’d always check out the stands to see who was there to watch her play and she’d always give you a wave and smile.

A big hole was ripped out of our hearts the day we lost Jamie. Life will never be the same for any one of us without our little Jamie around. Jamie was our angel on earth and we know she’s in Heaven wearing Angel Wings today. We also know she is thrilled to be with her daddy and that he is ecstatic to have his little bird with him. I will miss our heart to heart talks and just lying in bed talking or having her crawl into bed with me when she needed comfort.

I can picture Jamie in Heaven showing everyone who will look all her new bruises and complaining to anyone who will listen that her teacher wouldn’t give her that one extra lousy point that would move her final grade from a B+ to an A-:) My greatest wish is for everyone who knew Jamie to think of her with a smile, as that is how she will be thinking of you. I’m sure she is waving at everyone right now and saying “I know that person!”

Jamie - it is so hard to let you go, but we haven’t been given a choice. If there is anything in this world that we could do to have you back with us, we’d do it. We pray that all is well and that you can drop by every once in while just to let us know everything is fine. Remember to keep your socks off so Braedon can play with your feet:) 

All My Love, Mom

God didn’t promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way. Some people come into our lives and quietly stay. Others stay for a little while leaving footprints in our hearts and we are never the same. It takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate her, a day to love her - but it takes a lifetime to forget her.  

The death of a young person is not only hard on the whole family but the entire community. Thank you for sharing in the loss of our Jamie.

Happy Birthday in Heaven, Jamie

17 years ago on June 29 we welcomed you into our family. You were the sweetest baby - so special - all your aunts and uncles were home to welcome you into the world. As I watched you grow into a beautiful young girl, I was so proud of you. You had the most beautiful smile and your laughter I can still hear today. I'm sad that I'll never see you graduate, get married or have children of your own, but I know you will be watching over your sisters, Kristal and Kari, and your nephew, Braedon, as they go through their life experiences. You will always be in our hearts and your spirit will always be with us. On June 29 we will look up into the sky and count the stars and as you blow out your candles we will watch them flicker up high. And as we watch this happen we'll know deep in our hearts that Heaven and Earth aren't that far apart. May God take care of my little angel. Have a great birthday celebration with your daddy in heaven. Always in my heart and on my mind.

Love You Forever
Mom 

Family and friends gathered together to celebrate Jamie's 17th birthday and Braedon's 3rd birthday on June 29, 2006. We sent 17 pink birthday balloons in the sky to Jamie and wished her a happy 17th birthday in heaven. After we let Jamie's balloons go, Braedon ran into the house, grabbed his three blue balloons and sent them to Jamie too. So precious. It was a perfect day and the balloons went up high and all of them stayed together with Braedon's blue balloons trailing after Jamie's pink balloons.

Happy 1st Angel Day in Heaven, Jamie

Christmas Without You

Christmas without you here with me,
can never possibly be the same.
But I carry an Angel within my heart;
one so precious, who has your name.

An Angel forever watching over me,
at Christmas time and over the year.
Although you can’t be here anymore,
inside my heart, you are so very near.

There is no special present for you,
wrapped under my Christmas tree.
But I have a greater gift to give to you,
all the love you can still feel from me.

No, Christmas time without you here,
could not ever possibly be the same.
But, I have had the precious gift of you,
and the memories and love, will remain.

Gone But Not Forgotten

You were so full of life,
Always smiling and carefree.
Life loved you being a part of it,
And we loved you being a part of us.
You could make anyone laugh,
If they were having a bad day.
No matter how sad we were,
You could take the hurt away.
Nothing could ever stop you,
Or even make you fall.
You were ready to take on the world,
Ready to do it all.
But God decided he needed you,
So from this world you left.
But you took a piece of all of us,
Out hearts are what you kept.
Your seat is now empty,
And it's hard not to see your face.
But please always know this,
No one will ever take your place.
You left without a warning,
Not even saying good-bye.
And we can't seem to stop,
Asking the question why?
Nothing will ever be the same,
The halls are empty without your laughter.
But we know you're in Heaven,
Watching over us and looking after.
We didn't see this coming,
It hit us by surprise.
And when you left this world,
A small part of us died.
Your smile could brighten anyone's day,
No matter what they were going through.
And we know every day for the rest of our lives,
We will be missing you.

Scholarships were presented to Jamie's Class of 2008. The scholarships were awarded to all of  her classmates as that is how Jamie would have wanted it. It was important to Jamie that everyone be treated the same so that is the best way we could honor her memory.