Death is a fact of life, no doubt.
When we accepted the foreign assignment to live overseas we had some definite concerns about loosing someone close to us while we were gone. Sean and I both have elderly grandmothers left on this earth. There is also the fact that unexpected things just happen.
A few weeks ago, I lost a good friend of mine. Now I must digress...
I tend to find friends in unusual places. One of my BFF's in Fort Wayne I met at the library, another I met at Scouts. My BFF in the UK introduced herself to me at the open day at the kids school. My friend that I lost? I am not exactly when was the first time that we met. I know that we talked briefly at her mother's funeral not long ago. She is my step-fathers cousin, Jane. Meeting her and the rest of the family, I gained some new friends on Facebook and Jane was one and she quickly became an important one.
When I went to Indianapolis for anything, Jane and I would try and meet for lunch if we could. Jane became an important Facebook friend and her comments and encouragement became very meaningful to me. We often joked that if my family moved somewhere sunnier, Jane would follow or at least visit us often. She even considered coming over for a visit when she had a break.
When we picked up and moved to the UK, she was behind me all the way. She read my blog and sent me incredibly supportive messages that I treasure. Looking back at our move here and reading her messages to me I realize that she is right. I did an incredible job. I found us a house and 2 cars, found the kids a school all while living in The Shack of Bats. I did it all without cell phones and access to out main US bank and with spotty access to our secondary US bank. As I worried and fussed about everything and everyone else, in true Jane fashion, she worried and fussed about me.
Jane bravely said that she would send our doggie Chip to us. So, I did all the paperwork that I could and then settled him in a boarding facility that was near her home and happened to be very familiar with long term boarding. I say bravely, because never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that it was going to end up to be as involved as it did. Jane put her grit into it and got him over. It only took 2 or 3 runs to the vet, three trips to the USDA office and three trips to the airport! Her persistence paid off and the Bearys were reunited with our lovable fur kid.
Jane had signed up to take classes and to obtain her masters degree in Library Science in November. Not only was she a warm and caring person, she was brilliant as well. She was adding this degree to her law and her nursing degree.
I learned of Jane's passing just about two weeks ago. I went to pieces and I have had my share of sad days and I know that I will have more of them yet. It has been difficult mourning from here. Jane left behind her three beautiful children that she often told me about. She is so proud of them, they were an important part of her life. She is a vibrant soul, and she is dearly missed.
When we accepted the foreign assignment to live overseas we had some definite concerns about loosing someone close to us while we were gone. Sean and I both have elderly grandmothers left on this earth. There is also the fact that unexpected things just happen.
A few weeks ago, I lost a good friend of mine. Now I must digress...
I tend to find friends in unusual places. One of my BFF's in Fort Wayne I met at the library, another I met at Scouts. My BFF in the UK introduced herself to me at the open day at the kids school. My friend that I lost? I am not exactly when was the first time that we met. I know that we talked briefly at her mother's funeral not long ago. She is my step-fathers cousin, Jane. Meeting her and the rest of the family, I gained some new friends on Facebook and Jane was one and she quickly became an important one.
When I went to Indianapolis for anything, Jane and I would try and meet for lunch if we could. Jane became an important Facebook friend and her comments and encouragement became very meaningful to me. We often joked that if my family moved somewhere sunnier, Jane would follow or at least visit us often. She even considered coming over for a visit when she had a break.
When we picked up and moved to the UK, she was behind me all the way. She read my blog and sent me incredibly supportive messages that I treasure. Looking back at our move here and reading her messages to me I realize that she is right. I did an incredible job. I found us a house and 2 cars, found the kids a school all while living in The Shack of Bats. I did it all without cell phones and access to out main US bank and with spotty access to our secondary US bank. As I worried and fussed about everything and everyone else, in true Jane fashion, she worried and fussed about me.
Jane bravely said that she would send our doggie Chip to us. So, I did all the paperwork that I could and then settled him in a boarding facility that was near her home and happened to be very familiar with long term boarding. I say bravely, because never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that it was going to end up to be as involved as it did. Jane put her grit into it and got him over. It only took 2 or 3 runs to the vet, three trips to the USDA office and three trips to the airport! Her persistence paid off and the Bearys were reunited with our lovable fur kid.
Jane had signed up to take classes and to obtain her masters degree in Library Science in November. Not only was she a warm and caring person, she was brilliant as well. She was adding this degree to her law and her nursing degree.
I learned of Jane's passing just about two weeks ago. I went to pieces and I have had my share of sad days and I know that I will have more of them yet. It has been difficult mourning from here. Jane left behind her three beautiful children that she often told me about. She is so proud of them, they were an important part of her life. She is a vibrant soul, and she is dearly missed.
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