Hi Becky - you may remember me, Janis' daughter Cynthia. I really wanted to write an email message to you and Mom's HHS classmates (is there a website or something?). Could you forward this message to all the right people? Thank you!
When Mom was going into NIH in September, she told me about all these "incredible" emails from old friends, and about all the prayers from every corner of the world, every denomination, on her behalf. This touched her deeply. She kept telling me how the emails came pouring in. I wanted to tell you and your peers how VERY MUCH all this meant to Mom. She spoke often of her fun, fun, "classically 50's" high school days - the dancing, friends, laughs, life in a wonderful small town, etc. It brought her a lot
of joy and satisfaction to be back in touch with these friends and acquaintances. I think it really helped her to have a good look back at such a happy time - part of a kind of life-review - and really so many
great memories for her. I just can't thank all of you enough. When I cleaned out her purse, there was a stack of about 15 emails, folded up next to pictures of her grandkids - these messages of encouragement and friendship were obviously precious to her. I know she was not up to responding or thanking people, so I wanted to do that for her now.
To me, Mom was a wonderful mother and an extraordinary grandmother, and it is so rewarding to know of her connection to her High School friends, and the joy that brought her even so shortly before she passed away. At the end, after two very difficult months, she really was at peace and ready to die. She passed away with my brother right there holding her hand, on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, in a nice quiet room with no machines around. My husband and I had just had a wonderful talk with her just two days before - she was lucid right up until the end. It was a relief to us all, although we are so deeply sad, especially at this time of year. I feel like my children have been cheated of so many potential experiences with the BEST grandmother in the world. But she really made sure to "pack it in" - tons of wonderful memories these past seven years.
Well, happy holidays to all of you, and, again, thank you so very much for your concern, friendship, good thoughts and prayers. With sincere thanksCynthia Nanto (Janis' daughter)
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We have lost so many treasured classmates this year, leaving gaps that can't be filled. Wherever we live, we have come to realize how much we all mean to each other. Our "HHS togetherness" is something that is reflected in our web site and is something that ties us together in a very unique and meaningful way.
Gloria Nasser Barnett****************************************************
While trying to make some sense of early death of a life cut short, of a future vanished, I go to the source of all solice: God's Holy Word.
His comfort, I require and always find.
"Search me, Oh God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts." Psm. 139:23
Show me a light in a sea of darkness,
Let me feel Thanksgiving in my soul.
Thankful I am for the past three years
When, through this magical screen and keyboard,
I read the the words of my friends,
I respond, and I feel closer to them than ever before.
Thankful I am for beautiful, strong people with beautiful, strong lives.
I never really thought that strength was embodied in Wonderwoman or Superman because the greatest strength I've ever seen appears in the most frail who give their all struggling against an enemy within against all odds.
Can I ever understand the paradox?
Why are the hill alive with color as the trees who host this glory go dormant?
Even in the dead season, the lesson is clear;
Spring always comes again
And
It is always
Startling!
"Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain." Psm 139:6
Here it is -- my peace:
"All the days ordained for me
were written in Your book
before one of them came to be" Psm. 139:16
So all is in your hands, Lord.
You are in control -- all of life -- before conception, even after death.
How wonderful!
Your plan is there -- plain, simple.
Yet, why is it so hard for me to "get it"?
Mourning my friends, reaching out to all of you doing the same,
Always, Becky****************************************************
Two beautiful women lost in one week! I know all of us will be thinking together this Thanksgiving week about the gifts these women brought to us and the gift of life itself. May the joy of your Thanksgiving be not dimmed, but deepened, as our lives gather both joys and losses over the years. Much love to you all. Be in touch with me if you wish. I'd love it.
Alice L. Thornton, spcsalt@aol.com, Charles Town, WV*****************************************************
Oh seek, my love your newer way; I'll not be left in sorrow. So long as I have yesterday, go take your damned tomorrow! ---Dorothy Parker
Fate keeps happening. ---Anita LOOS
I think these difficult times have helped me to understand better than before how infinately rich and beautiful life is in every way and that so many things that one goes around worrying about are of no importance whatsoever.---Isak Dinesen
Grief is so selfish.---Mary Elizabeth Braddon
Remember,eventually the class of '62 will all be together again; Billy, Peggy, and Janis are waiting for us to arrive.....WATCH OUT HEAVEN!
Love to all, I share your tears............Ann Peoples Krieger
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