Wednesday, December 28, 2022
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I never saw a wild thing
sorry for itself.
A small bird will drop frozen dead from a bough without ever having felt sorry for itself
(Self pity by D.H. Lawrence)
She was born 5/5/55 in the year of Hurricane Janet . (Hence the nickname Hurricane Janet ,Tornado Louise ). The third born and the toughest of eight. First one swimming in the cold water at the first of summer and the last one out. (Also the first one to catch the bouquet at a wedding after she pushed you out of the way). Rarely saw her cry or feel sorry for herself, just wiped the tears and said fuck it and move on.
Those of us left to tell the story will tell you how she lived and she lived a good life.
Sometimes she struggled and fought some hard battles but through it all she always endured… never let much bother her.
Janet was a keeper of old stories and had an uncanny memory…she had some great stories to tell over the years. Some were a little embellished (Like the seven foot trout her and Jessie Gillis caught down in Mabou or that Chicken hawk she saw out on the Long Stretch with a 50 foot wing span). She remembered a lot of things I had long forgotten and she’d say “remember that time”? There will be many stories and good memories told about her for sure and then there was that laugh….you all know that laugh…
I swear she knew everyone in Inverness county and beyond. She didn’t forget many faces or people she met, she was always my go to when I couldn’t remember someone’s name.
Janet was a caring person and never turned many people away from her doorstep, always had food and shelter for anyone who needed a place for the night or a safe place (and perhaps a drink or two).
I remember Mom telling us about the homeless guy she brought home when we moved to Toronto as kids. He was hungry and she told him Mom would feed him. I’m sure Mom was impressed about bringing a stranger off the street to the house .
Janet was always there for those she loved and always stood up for them like a lioness protecting the pack. She wasn’t afraid to speak her mind that’s for sure.
Janet always kept memorial card keepsakes from the funerals she attended and kept them in a picture album. We used to tease her about it but I think maybe she just wanted to remember them as it gave her some comfort looking back at their pictures. (She also kept wedding cake in the freezer for a long time and I’m sure Sadie’s is still in there for more than 40 years )
Janet will not easily be forgotten either and she wouldn’t want you to be sad when you speak of her but remember the good times you shared.
I’m gonna miss my sister, my best friend, protector and my confidant…but I will also remember her with good memories and visit the old places she loved
Until we meet again dearest sister
Love You always Jackie
