Many years ago, I first met Janet; but as she was several years older than me, I only had a casual acquaintance with her. She was active in our church’s Women’s Ministry, which is how I first got to know her. I greatly respected her then, and thought how I would like to be like her as I got older. Many years later she returned to our town and church after being away for 8 years. We were in a small study group together, and as I was about to start a program for women at the church, I asked her to be on the planning team with me. That was the beginning of the close friendship that we developed. She truly was God’s gift to me.
She developed a recurrence of cancer and after a few years of treatments that seemed more manageable, it took a drastic turn for the worse. Last fall, I wanted to write about her life and my thoughts on what she had meant to me, and gave it to her. I want to share some thoughts from that.
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Janet was born in a rural Midwestern community where her parents were farmers. Of German descent, she and her 2 older sisters were raised with a strong work ethic, and a deep love for family and community. They were well loved and respected by all, in return. As she grew older, she (like most women) wore “many hats”: daughter, sister, friend, wife, aunt, nurse, and grandmother. Her life and personality was warm and inviting, drawing in those who were privileged to know her.
I am reminded of sunlight shining through a prism, or a chiseled/leaded glass window. The colors of the rainbow glisten and dance on the surface reflecting the sun’s brilliance and diversity of color and beauty. Janet reminds me of a prism. Her ‘prism’ reflects fun, humor, hospitality, caring compassion, competent nursing skills, nurturing roles of she had of being a mother/aunt/grandmother/friend. Her faith in God and practical outlook of life, and generosity of spirit was at her core.
I think we all hope that somehow our lives will have a positive impact on those we are fortunate to share it with; but few make the deep, indelible impact like she has made on mine. Her deep love for Jesus and her infinite gratitude for His love and saving grace for her, has been the framework from which her life has reflected all the beautiful colors of that ‘prism’ of her life. Now, after several years of a very special friendship, I still pray that I can grow and age as beautiful and graceful of a lady as my friend, Janet!
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Janet passed a few days ago into the loving arms of Jesus. No longer having a body that endured so much suffering, she now is in glory, for an eternity of joy with her Lord! In her life, she sought to reflect and share the love of Christ with others, and did so in many ways.
O Lord, I thank you for the gift of friendship! You have made each of us to be special
and diverse. Like a prism, may our lives reflect Your love and Your beauty! In Jesus’ name I pray! Amen.
