Posted in Lessons I Have Learned

A year ago today my sil/cousin Jan passed away after a long struggle with Breast Cancer at the age of 46.  You read that right, she was my cousin and she married my husband’s brother.  I use to tease her that I liked her so much I just could not find enough ways to be related to her.  To say that I miss her is an understatement.

Jan was a small, quiet, kind person with a heart of gold and a great personality.  Growing up I always looked up to her. (Even though I was taller than her 4 foot 9 inch frame by the time I was 9!  LOL)   She was 5 years older than me and always included me in her life.  I remember SO many good times with her going to the playground, swimming, going shopping, etc, etc, etc.  She was enough older than me that she could have easily deemed me too young to hang out with, but instead her age and level of responsibility opened up a world of fun for me!

One of my FAVORITE adventure with her took place when I was 11 and she was 16.  (My 13-year-old sister also joined in on the fun!)  Somehow, the 3 of us convinced our parents to let  us takes Jan's car and drive from Kansas  to our Aunt and Uncles house in Amarillo, Texas!  (I still to this day think they had somehow LOST their minds!  LOL)  Oh, but the sweet memories I have form that trip!  Once we made it to my Aunt and Uncles they took us on a bunch of adventures.  It was truly the trip of a lifetime for all 3 of us!

Later in life Jan and I continued to be friends as well as cousins.  I never dreamed that someday she would be my sister-in-law, but a few years after my husband and I were married God revealed His really great idea!  My parents were bowling on church league at the time and needed another team.  My folks knew Jan wanted to bowl, but needed a partner.  My brother-in-law Mark had just moved back to Kansas and they asked him.  He said YES, and the rest is history!  A couple years later Mark and Jan were married!  Jan was already battling cancer at this time.  As a matter of fact some of their 1st dates took place on a hospital room while Jan was recovering from treatments.  I don't think I need to tell you what a wonderful man Mark is!  A couple years later Jan was in remission and Mark and Jan were married.  Because of her cancer and the chance of its return if she should become pregnant they decided to adopt.  They went through a lot to get their girls, but to the joy of our family they brought home 2 of the most beautiful little girls in the world from China.  Unfortunately, upon their return from China with their 2nd daughter Jan was not feeling well.  A visit to the Doctor confirmed her worst fears.  Her cancer had returned.  The battle was back on, and she fought it diligently.  If I already did not admire her enough she fought the cancer with dignity and grace.  Since most of my relationship by this time took place with her via the telephone it was really hard to believe sometimes she was even sick.  But, the fact that she was doing weekly chemo for over 2 years confirmed that she was.

Our whole family (both sides) miss her dearly.  She is survived by her Husband and 2 daughter.  Ages 6 and 8, her parents. 3 sister & their spouses,  15 nieces and nephews.  The list goes on and on.  Jan touched the lives of MANY people through her work as a nurse.  She was a wonderful wife and mother.  She loved the Lord, and although we rejoice that she is in heaven with Him, we certainly miss her and wish we could have kept her here with us for a long, long time.

Please join me in praying for her husband, her 2 daughters, her parents and her 3 sisters today.  I know they all miss her so much.... Just like I do.