I am awake, but lie snuggled under my warm blanket. It is Saturday, no need for me to rush to do anything for now. I hear the salsa tune I put on my cellular phone to alert me when I receive a text message, playing from its speaker. I do a little jig under the covers until the music stops. I look over at the phone, and it is 8:29. It might not be that important; the person did not want to talk to me. However, I open the text. It is from an associate, (Janne), who is very sick and has been battling stage 4 lung cancer for over a year. It read:
Janne passed away Sunday.
We’re holding a memorial service Saturday 1-5 p.m.
An emotion overtakes my body that I can only describe as a shock. Tears flow spontaneously. It hadn’t been two years since her diagnosis and her given life expectancy. I thought I had more time with her; I thought she had more time with us. Janne was only 62 years young. I met Janne over three years ago.
She was a funny lady, always had me laughing. One day, she told me that she could not use being blonde as her defense because she wasn’t a naturally blonde hair girl.
Or the time when she said, “I am looking for a rich old man to take care of me?”
“What about your husband?” I asked.
“(John), I’ll divorce him,” she answered, with a straight face.
“I am going to tell him,” I respond.
“He knows; I tell him all the time.” She laughed, and I joined her.
That was the personality I remembered of her. I cannot believe that she is gone. And today is the memorial.
Although I haven’t heard her voice in a long time, I kept in contact with her via text message and WhatsApp. Our last conversation via text message, she wrote: Tell everyone that I miss them and I Love all of you! I wrote back, I will tell them, and I love you too!
We are only here for a moment on this Earth, and although we know that for a fact when the time comes for us to depart, we sometimes become apprehensive. We are fearful of leaving our love ones. We are scared because we do not know what awaits us after death. When our creator requests your return, it is the right time. It can be hard for us (the ones here) to continue without that loved one, but we have to remember that our creator (whatever you believe in) is in control and will take care of us.
Death is inevitable. Although we make plans for later, it is still not promised to us. We should live our lives to the fullest and with meaning with those who we encounter along the way. We enjoy our families and friends and leave lasting memories to support them in their times of grief and alone times. If you care about someone, tell/show her/him how you feel.
I will miss you (Janne), and you will forever stay in my thoughts. May your soul rest in peace.
I love you, too!
Looking up, reminded me of the unknown.
Rest in peace, my friend.
Okay, I said it!
My condolences to you and everyone grieving this loss. It’s never easy when a loved one has passed and I pray that God will comfort the mourners during this difficult time.
Thank you.