This past week has been a rough one at our house. It all started last week when we heard that my wife’s uncle had passed away. His passing wasn’t a huge surprise as he’d been struggling with a variety of illnesses over the past year or two, and had been going slowly downhill. He passed on Tuesday, and his funeral was scheduled for this past weekend. He was 73.
Just that alone would have been sad enough. But then on Friday we had another shock as my wife’s cousin passed away prematurely. She also had a history of some health problems, but hadn’t really had anything life threatening recently as far as we knew. She was only in her fifties, and she leaves behind a son who recently turned 25.
They always say that bad news comes in threes, and today we had confirmation of that old saying. We got the sad news that my aunt Jan, my mother’s sister, had passed away down in Illinois at the young age of 68. She also had health issues, but for the most part those problems were being managed – we certainly thought that there wasn’t anything that would be life threatening in the short term. But apparently there was.
Aunt Jan, We’ll Miss You
My aunt Jan had been heading out for the day today to see a local play that my cousin was directing. When they got to the show apparently my aunt started having problems breathing, and quickly lost consciousness. By the time they got her to the hospital her heartbeat was faint and she was no longer breathing on her own. She passed away shortly thereafter.
Aunt Jan’s passing leaves a big hole in our family. She was always such a cheery person, who always had a kind word or a warm chocolate chip cookie for us nephews and nieces.
Jan never married or had children of her own, but she truly did love children. She was a teacher her entire career, shaping and molding young minds in the Illinois schools. We could see that teacher’s no-nonsense attitude at times when we misbehaved, however, we knew she loved us.
She also was the kind of person who could make others feel special. She never forgot one of our birthdays. She would always send a card and a check in the mail. It will be strange not getting one on my birthday this year for the first time since I was a small child.
I remember doing crafts with her as a child, and eating all sorts of delicious food that she would make. She was a great cook.
Most of all I remember her laugh. She was always smiling and laughing, and having a good time with us kids, and the rest of the family.
I remember one night a few years ago all of the cousins were together at her lake home. We had gathered there to play games, talk and to just be together. Jan was there that night playing games right along with us, laughing and having a good time. I think that’s the picture I’ll keep in my head of her. Smiling, laughing and having good times with family and friends.
Jan was a strong Christian, always very involved at her church, in women’s groups and singing in the choir. I know tonight that she’s singing in God’s heavenly choir with my grandparents – as they did so often here on earth. Tonight, however, they’re singing in the presence of our heavenly father. Praise God!
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26
We’ll miss you Aunt Jan, and we’ll never forget you, but we know that tonight you’re in a better place, singing to our savior.
Wow, I’m really sorry for your loss, Peter. I’ll pray for your family. It’s wonderful to know she was a strong Christian though. :)
Sorry to hear of your loss. The old saying about bad news in threes is usually true, but for most people it doesn’t happen so quickly. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your wife.
My sympathies for your loss of Aunt Jan and the other special ones. I think it is such a blessing that your memories of her are so wonderful. We are very fortunate when we have been able to share our time with a person that touched our life and many more with so many good things.
Peter…my sadness is with you.. I knew i was not alone in my pain, and when I hear your story, i know i am not alone.
First it was my Cousin suddenly at 54, then my Aunt, and my Uncle, and then my mom, and my dad…All in a few years..
I can’t stop crying writing this, so you are not alone..
Sometimes God takes them all at once…That is the Journey..
Something else.. I had a dream last night and I was with my precious Mother again.. She was in Heaven and she was telling me about the NEW ARRIVALS…That they were ok, and being tended to… I kid you not…
I woke up hyperventilating and crying.. But I am at peace today…Shaken up , but at peace…
I have been near death twice in the last few years, and I truly believe I have been allowed to see the next Life.. I am living each day , and don’t want to leave this life, but I am at peace with death.
Sorry if it sounds crazy, but too much has gone on in my Life that is NOT coincidence..
May the love that your Family shared with you, go on and on in your heart and soul…
I’m right there with you Michael, thanks for your comment. In addition to these three deaths we’ve also lost 3 grandparents in the last few years as well, so it’s been a rough few years. I’m at peace with it though as I have hope in my savior, and I know my aunt is in heaven right now with my grandparents.. I had an image of all three of them singing to Jesus right after I heard she had died (they had all been in the choir at their church). Very comforting.
Peter, it seems like we all share the bond of losing so many loved one’s so soon..
We are fortunate to have had them as long as we did.. And again, my Dream of my Mother welcoming the “New Arrivals”, will stay in my mind until i too, am that “new arrival”, and I see them again…You too, will rise up and see your loved one’s again…Continue to do God’s work down here, and i will continue to try to do the same thing…It is comforting to know that they are there, watching over us…
Peter, my prayers go out to you in your recent losses. Death is part of life. We just have to keep in mind that God is always in control and has His reasons. He loved your Aunt Jan and the others more than we ever could. She is truly in a better place and you’ll see her again since you are a believer in Christ. May God’s peace surround you especially at this time.
Peter, I am sorry to hear about your recent losses. Had you written about her here before? or any of prematurely deceased? Would be interesting if you had a fun little story about them that you posted years ago.
I don’t think I’ve written much about my aunt on this site, maybe after the funeral on Friday I’ll update the post with stories people tell about her. Here’s a video of her telling a story when we were interviewing my grandmother – who passed away a couple years ago.. The other two family members who passed I didn’t know very well, I’d have to get the wife to tell some stories..
Peter,
I’m very sorry to hear about your losses. Especially them being all so close to one another. I cannot imagine it being easy on you or your family.
You aunt Jan sounded like she was a genuinely kind person. I’m certain she’s in a much better place now. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.