Nine-Year-Old Dying Girl Gets Married
February 26th, 2009 by Evil Beet
This story has created quite a bit of discussion on the Internets today, and I know how you people love to weigh in on issues like this, so I’m hoping to hear your thoughts. A little girl in Texas, who’s dying soon of leukemia, got her final wish: a beautiful wedding.
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.
The girls over at Jezebel are talking about how perhaps this conveys the negative message that the most important thing a young woman can do in her life is get married. I disagree. She’s nine years old and she’s dying in a matter of weeks. If she dreams of having a beautiful wedding before she dies, let her have one!
What do you guys think?
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That was touching ;)
,even though i don’t believe marrige is an important life componant
doesin’t mean other people have to have the same ideas.
If her last wish was to bungee jump off the Eiffel Tower,nobody would have said she is setting a bad example,because it makes it seem like bungee jumping is the only important thing a girl can do in life.
People take some things way too far,and should just let this little girl enjoy her last wish.
Hey! I don’t think they did it big enough! I would’ve bought her a huge dress, a giant bouquet and a professional photographer! I would’ve done my best to make it as real as possible. Obviously, I wasn’t there so I don’t know how it went, but my impression is that it was clearly a “mock’ wedding. Hey, maybe the parents couldn’t afford all that, but maybe the family could’ve helped. Who knows. She certainly seems happy and I guess that’s all that’s important. My heart goes out to that poor sweetie and her family. I have 3 kids. My daughter is 6 and my boys are 8 and 10. I can’t imagine life without them and wouldn’t ever want to know what that’s like. I will pray for her.
sad story, sad that she is going to die… yet beautiful, because she is strong and because true friends and lovers never die.
If this story touched you in any way… make a donation to the Make A Wish Foundation. With the economy the way it is, all charities are in a crunch! Every dollar counts. I challenge every person who has left a comment or will leave a comment to donate $10 per comment to your local MAW office. Help make more wishes come true!!! I am dropping off my $10 at the Make A Wish of North Texas tomorrow… donate in honor of Jayla or in honor (pity) of Jezebel… put your money where your mouth is… http://www.northtexaswish.org
Help fund the next wedding, trip, celebrity, wish of a lifetime!!!
i fully agree that she got her wish. i dont know her but i think thats too sad only nine years old.if i had kids with the same situation i would have done the same thing.i dont understand what u have to go through but i know u have to be strong.im also happy about her meeting the jones brothers she deserves it . lil girl i give u my preys and just want to know to hang in there.
Awww! That is so sad but so cute and wonderful at the same time. I would have made a prayer for her. I’m the same age!
Aww. So sad but so cute and wonderful. I’m the same age! Say a prayer for her!.
i love jayla i don’t want her to die she seems so cute