Suzanne, what a wonderful tribute to Jan ... she would have loved to read it ... we often talked about the early days of our lives and the times of our friendships way back in the early/mid 1970's. I am so glad that you and I reconnected through the modern social media age .... its allowed so many of us to reconnect and share important events and memories of our lives together. I remember that New Year's Eve celebration in my parent's kitchen pictured in your article ... like it was yesterday. I am glad for the times Jan and I shared, and the children we had together. As we grew, we realized that we really had much different goals and interest in life ... and gradually grew apart. While divorces are always a very traumatic and usually angry time, I believe we forgave each other and made sure that we put our children first, and made sure that we supported each other in any way we can. Jan was an amazing and loving mother to all three of our children ... and I know that they all love her deeply and unconditionally. Thank you for sharing your story of your relationship with her and many of our friends who came together in the early/mid 1970's for some special times ... and growth in our own religious experiences. I know our son Tyler greeted his mom in heaven this past week ... and now she will live in eternity with our God. Look forward to another long lunch visit ... or better yet, you need to come out and visit us .. a short distance away in Ballston Lake. Thank you Suzanne!!!
Suzanne - that was beautiful. Too often we fail to tell our friends that we love them and that they matter and mattered in our lives and then it is too late. I recently reconnected with Jan through Facebook but regret that I never took the time to see her when I returned to Gilbertsville for visits. Let me tell you now, Suzanne - I love you and you matter in my life!!! You are truly a beautiful person.
What a wonderful tribute. Onaje and Jan had a life well lived. I feel I know them thru your memories of them. I treasure all my friends. Every year my kindergarden class and I gets together. These are treasured moments. We lost a few also and it saddens me the older we get the more we will experience loss. That's why we must treasure each moments with those still here. Suzanne, life is truly a journey. We don't die. We just get out of one car and climb into another to continue our wonderful journey. Enjoy the ride.
Beautiful tribute to your friends! I would love to get a copy of Jan's book of photography if it is still available. Can you please share the name as I didn't find it doing a quick search.
Joanne, it was a self-published book that Jan was advertising around Christmas last year. I'll go on her FB page and ask about it. The funeral is 9/24, so I'll wait until afterwards.
Suzanne, what a wonderful tribute to Jan ... she would have loved to read it ... we often talked about the early days of our lives and the times of our friendships way back in the early/mid 1970's. I am so glad that you and I reconnected through the modern social media age .... its allowed so many of us to reconnect and share important events and memories of our lives together. I remember that New Year's Eve celebration in my parent's kitchen pictured in your article ... like it was yesterday. I am glad for the times Jan and I shared, and the children we had together. As we grew, we realized that we really had much different goals and interest in life ... and gradually grew apart. While divorces are always a very traumatic and usually angry time, I believe we forgave each other and made sure that we put our children first, and made sure that we supported each other in any way we can. Jan was an amazing and loving mother to all three of our children ... and I know that they all love her deeply and unconditionally. Thank you for sharing your story of your relationship with her and many of our friends who came together in the early/mid 1970's for some special times ... and growth in our own religious experiences. I know our son Tyler greeted his mom in heaven this past week ... and now she will live in eternity with our God. Look forward to another long lunch visit ... or better yet, you need to come out and visit us .. a short distance away in Ballston Lake. Thank you Suzanne!!!
Thanks Cliff, that means a lot to me. Let's also plan a visit of some kind. My best to you and the family.
Suzanne - that was beautiful. Too often we fail to tell our friends that we love them and that they matter and mattered in our lives and then it is too late. I recently reconnected with Jan through Facebook but regret that I never took the time to see her when I returned to Gilbertsville for visits. Let me tell you now, Suzanne - I love you and you matter in my life!!! You are truly a beautiful person.
This is a lovely piece about friendships. Thank you for sharing.
What a wonderful tribute. Onaje and Jan had a life well lived. I feel I know them thru your memories of them. I treasure all my friends. Every year my kindergarden class and I gets together. These are treasured moments. We lost a few also and it saddens me the older we get the more we will experience loss. That's why we must treasure each moments with those still here. Suzanne, life is truly a journey. We don't die. We just get out of one car and climb into another to continue our wonderful journey. Enjoy the ride.
Beautiful tribute to your friends! I would love to get a copy of Jan's book of photography if it is still available. Can you please share the name as I didn't find it doing a quick search.
Joanne, it was a self-published book that Jan was advertising around Christmas last year. I'll go on her FB page and ask about it. The funeral is 9/24, so I'll wait until afterwards.
Thank you!
rejoice
Very moving tribute to your friends, and to the power of friendship in our lives.
Beautiful tributes.
Beautifully written Suzanne.