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A Message from Jessie: The Incredible True Story of Murder and Miracles in the Heartland Kindle Edition

by Buck Blodgett (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 239 ratings
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“Love is stronger than hate.” That was a grieving dad's message to 1,000 people at his daughter’s funeral after she was brutally murdered in their home. Borne of this statement was Jessie Blodgett's legacy: The LOVE>hate Project.
As I sat there with my face in my hands, asking Him why, my thoughts traveled forward from the eighth grade musical where Jess debuted her first original composition, “Butterflies.” I remembered recurring visions of myself at her funeral with this song playing in the background. I had always dismissed these premonitions as typical parental fears. Every parent worries about losing their child, right?

Then I envisioned an angel coming to Jess in her darkest hour. As the rope bit hard into her neck, cutting off her air, the grip too hopelessly strong for her to fight off, as she struggled desperately, bewildered by the betrayal and cruelty of a friend, the angel came. Out of her body it called her soul. Floating up and away together, the angel whispered in her ear, “Fly away, fly high. You’re a butterfly, and butterflies are free to fly…”

Excerpt


But, of course, most of life—the mundane minutes, seconds, and moments—was just normal life. Now, life would never be normal again, of course. No, it would be a moment-to-moment wrestling match, a constant duel for my attention between the abyss and the life of purpose.

Excerpt

Jess was a young woman with an indomitable spirit. She was the girl who ran out into traffic on Highway 60 near Pike Lake to rescue a turtle that wasn’t going to make it across the road. She was the girl whose purse came from Ecuador, because it was a Fair Trade item, and even a stranger from halfway around the world deserved a chance to build a life.
The way to meet this horrible tragedy was not with anger and bitterness. We had to respond to this incomprehensible act with the best of our true selves, not the worst. To honor Jess.

Excerpt

I had hit rock bottom.
It had been over half a year now. It was the dead of winter. The shock phase was over, and all that was left was emptiness.
The day before, I had gone up to Jessie’s room. I stood by the side of her bed. I imagined her lying there, sleeping peacefully…. And then I bent over and put my arm around her and gave her a kiss on the head, as if she was actually sleeping there.

Even though I was alone, it was kind of awkward. But something about it felt really good, too, and I ended up hugging “her” for a full five minutes. Then, I grabbed the flannel shirt hanging on her bedpost, the shirt that still smelled like her, the one she wore so much in her last days, and I climbed onto her bed with the shirt and, using it like a blanket, I snuggled with “her” for a half hour. And I imagined that she talked back, speaking words of comfort and wisdom.

Excerpt

FACEBOOK
Buck Blodgett
July 15, 2014

Jess, a year ago today....
At 12:35 p.m. I took the call from Mom. She was sobbing, telling me she found you—you weren't breathing; there were marks on your neck. She did CPR, called 911. EMTs worked on you as we spoke. I asked if you were responding. She said "no." I asked if you were gone. No words came. I talked to God the whole drive home, hoping, praying. Our driveway was full—squad cars, firetrucks, ambulance, Crime Scene Unit vehicle. They wouldn't let me see you, touch you, hold you. Your room was taped off. I understood, but not being there for you when you needed help, or to say goodbye, was unbearable.
It's been a year of deep pain and profound Love. Never again will I take a single second of this life for granted. I was wrong about God and Spirit and life after death. You have opened my eyes. You have infused some of yourself into me, made me kinder, braver, more musical, less judgmental. I live for you now, sweetie, for your legacy, LOVE>hate. See ya when I'm done here my hero, my brave and beautiful young woman.
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  1. Print length
    330 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    June 27, 2015
  5. File size
    476 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr. Buck Blodgett founded and directs The LOVE > hate Project, his new life purpose. He also established the Chiropractic & Wellness Group, SC, and Wellness Drs. LLC. In family chiropractic practice since 1996, and married to his soul mate Dr. Joy since 1985, he was Jessie's dad for nineteen beautiful years. Dr. Buck is a dynamic speaker with a powerful message for schools and community groups. Since Jessie's passing, he works tirelessly to educate, motivate, and inspire young minds and hearts to add Love to our world and end violence.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B010KKOPV4
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Story Merchant Books (June 27, 2015)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 27, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 476 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 330 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 239 ratings

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
239 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Diane Sigler
5.0 out of 5 stars Kept my Interest, Despite the Dark Subject Matter
Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2017
Verified Purchase
I finished this book late this afternoon. Soon after I finished, I went to Facebook to touch base with some friends. The very first post I saw on FB was a photo of Monarch butterfly wings. It was the top post on my page. It was a photo of monarchs all packed together so all one could see were wings. It was so ironic seeing that, with Buck Blodgett's book fresh in my mind.
I give Mr Blodgett a lot of credit for the bravery he showed in writing this book which chronicled the absolute worst event in his life. Jessie sounds like a magical young woman, talented and intelligent. No doubt she would have gone far in her life, had she lived.
As much as the subject matter of this book is disturbing, I still enjoyed it very much. There were brighter moments, enough of them, that they outweighed the tragedy. I think that any person who has lost a child, either to murder or even illness would benefit from reading this book.
I believe that what made me happiest was hearing how Mr Blodgett went from being an atheist to a believer. And then went so far as believing in the paranormal. We all have our doubts about "the man behind the curtain" and an afterlife. But once we lose a loved one, they usually let us know, in one way or another, that they are still with us. With my father it was pennies. Pennies were magically appearing on freshly vacuumed floors, or freshly dusted shelves, in pockets, and in the oddest places. It wasn't always pennies. Sometimes it was dimes. My son found a dime in the pocket of his shorts every morning when he woke up. It was so refreshing to get these reminders from Dad that he was still around. So I know exactly how Mr Blodgett felt with the butterflies, the number 67, the "R's". Amazing, isn't it?
I initially picked this book to read because I am from Wisconsin. Not from Hartford, but the next county over, and I know all the small towns mentioned in the book. I'm glad I did, and believe I'm just a little bit better person, having read this book.
3 people found this helpful
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somanybookstoread
5.0 out of 5 stars Turning a tragedy into a positive message
Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2023
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As I started to read this story about a young girl's senseless murder, I quickly realized that I already knew about the case from watching a Dateline episode. It had attracted my interest because it took place in a small Wisconsin community not far away from where I lived. I realize this book was written quite a few years ago, but the message it delivers is more important than ever. What an inspiring story that a grieving father could turn his family's tragedy into a positive message to share with the world.
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Producervan
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommend
Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2018
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A Message from Jessie The Incredible True Story of Murder and Miracles in the Heartland by Buck Blodgett. BooksGoSocial. Biographies & Memoirs, Nonfiction (Adult). Pub Date 22 Jun 2015.

First of all, I extend my condolences to this family; I am truly sorry for your loss. This book is a testament to the power of forgiveness and love in its deepest and most difficult aspects. In this book it is written, “I could never forget the sacred sweetness of giving forgiveness when it wasn’t deserved. And I now understood that I would have endless opportunities every day for the rest of my life to practice the habit.” Dr. Blodgett is open about his struggles, his telling clear and uncomplicated as he covers a most distressing subject. An atheist who became a Christian during the aftermath of his only child’s murder, Dr. Blodgett seems to have made good use of the most functional parts of spirituality. Highly recommend. Thanks to NetGalley for providing this ebook for review.
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Kelli McClain
5.0 out of 5 stars Mixed Emotions.
Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2016
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Jessie's story shocked me, because a loved, good friend took her life as callously as squashing a bug. Anger came because she had so much more life ahead of her. So much sadness for her parents, family, friends, schoolmates and community. Her loss left a tremendous hole in the hearts and lives of all who knew and loved her. Amazement that, though physically gone, her loving spirit was still around those she cared for most, guiding and loving them still. Hopeful that even when a loved one dies, though they may be physically gone, their spirit and love lives on through us, helping to support and guide us until we're together again. And finally, a sense of peaceful calm that, even if or when the worst happens, "The Great OKness" doesn't cause them to happen, but will be there to envelope us in love and take us to safety with loved ones who've passed, and to wait for those to come later.
2 people found this helpful
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Lillian Ammann (Lillie)
4.0 out of 5 stars Encouraging story
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2018
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This is a story of beauty from ashes, hope from tragedy. Jessie, the only child of the author and his wife, was murdered by someone she considered a friend. She claimed to be an atheist and none of the family was a believer. After her death, however, the author turned to faith and forgiveness. The parents will never "move on" after the loss of their daughter, but things they found and experienced after her death give them hope for eternity together. However, if you are looking for an orthodox Christian viewpoint, you won't find it in this book. You'll read about the Great OKness and Providence, but not about Jesus Christ. The story is still encouraging, but not a story of Christian faith.
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DLLawrence
5.0 out of 5 stars IF YOU ONLY READ ONE BOOK THIS YEAR, IT MUST BE THIS ONE
Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2015
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How anyone could give this book less than a five star review is a mystery to me. As a surviving family member of a murdered young woman this really struck a nerve. I have struggled with what those awful last moments of our Jen were like, had nightmares, grieved to the pit of my soul. I was shocked that a man could kidnap, rape, beat, strangle and drown beautiful young mother and only be convicted of 2nd degree murder. The injustice! Why can't it be an eye for an eye?

This book gave me a glimpse of where I should be emotionally after four years than where I actually am. Gave me hope and a path to get there.

Thank you fir this priceless gift. It truly is 'priceless' as I got it free. It is worth a million dollars.
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Top reviews from other countries

SusannahReads
3.0 out of 5 stars Potentially Powerful--but doesn't quite make it.
Reviewed in Canada on December 16, 2015
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At the risk of being burned at the stake (see reviews on Amazon.com), I'm going public with my opinion:

First of all, let me say that I felt the author's grief and heartache as if they were my own as I read the story of his daughter's murder. It must have been terrible. I was with him all the way as he battled to find meaning in her death.

However, little by little, as I read on and saw the heroic side of him, the devout Christian trying to live his life according to his beliefs, the story began to feel not quite....real. Where was the anger that has to be the yang to the yin of this author's grief? Where, in fact, were ANY of the incredible range of emotions that we humans go through in our crisis times, if we are being honest with ourselves?

"Whitewashing" is what I call this rather one-sided view an author allows the reader to see. Wishing to focus on the positive aspects of his struggle to react as the good man he clearly is, the author has chosen to whitewash over any thoughts or wrenching emotions that don't fit this picture. But these thoughts and emotions are as much a part of the human condition as the goodness and generosity, and make the eventual resolution even more touching because of the struggle to reach it. To leave out the whole picture is to present half a person, which isn't enough.

The result is a potentially powerful book that winds up being somewhat bland and, much as I hate to say it, superficial. In a memoir, this just doesn't cut it. I didn't finish the book.
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SABRIT
5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 26, 2015
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I've just finished reading this incredible story. What love! For Jessie, his wife and mankind. I have a new love and respect for butterflies. I am always in awe of our Lord and how quickly He came to the side of Buck as soon as He was called upon. What a wonderful example of turning a negative into a positive LOVE>hate. Wishing the project the most success. May the message it brings reach the four corners of the earth.
One person found this helpful
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LESLEY JAYNE
5.0 out of 5 stars Omg
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 22, 2015
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One of the most profound books I have read ,that took me on an emotional heartfelt roller coaster throughout the book . This is a book to be read by everyone and is why a bought a copy for my wonderful friends for Christmas . I give great gratitude and blessings for this amazing book .
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 5, 2017
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Great read
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