Here is my sister Jane "singing" with her beloved "baby" Lillaeus. Jane loved all animals and everything to do with nature. This was on a visit on a very cold day in February of 2009. We basically sat huddled by the TV, drinking coffee and watching "Foreign Affair" with Marlene Dietrich and Jean Arthur. Jane was definitely Lillaeus's "Mommy", and in return Lillaeus was very protective of Jane. She is now happy on a small estate in the countryside with two seniors who adore and love her.
I want to talk about my sister Jane's never-ending ability to give kindness and affection even in the face of the cruel disease of cancer. I'll never forget my last visit to Jane in the hospital in Bayonne. Jane met me at the elevator, joked with the nurses (who loved Jane), on the way back to her room, and then sat with me, putting on a brave face and a smile for me, even though I knew she was in incredible pain. I'll never forget how Jane never once complained about her colostomy bag, or her 4 hours of intense chemotherapy that she had just been through the day before. Jane was only concerned about me, her youngest son and Lillaeus. I told Jane not to worry, as I promised that I would go to her apartment, feed, walk and give her pup a little love, and then make sure that her youngest son was alright.
I will never forget that last thing that Jane said to me as she walked me back to the elevator after my visit. I had stayed 3 hours, and I knew that Jane needed to rest and sleep. Jane hugged me and said......"Oh Michael, I was meaning to tell you, don't worry about coming everyday, it's too much for you with your work and long hours back and forth commuting, and please promise me that you don't stand too close to the platform edge of the trains and subways, I worry about that......promise me".
Can you imagine? Despite all of the pain and suffering, despite all the mental anguish of the apathy and abandonment that my sister endured, and she was more worried about the three of us, and not herself. What a brave and unselfish spirit Jane was, I am so humbled and honoured by that moment. I hugged and kissed my sister, and promised to call that evening after I got home to say goodnight, as I knew that she would worry about me getting home safe. I also promised that I would return in two days with her favorite jello's and orange juice, as Jane would be home the next day. I called my sister in the hospital the next day, we had several conversations (that's how we were), including the last call late at night that lasted over an hour. It was a warm and loving conversation, I had no idea that it would be the last time that I would talk to my sister. Jane passed away that next morning, and as I said before, thank God that I made that trip to see Jane on that day, (despite the fact that Jane told me on that morning of the day of the visit on the phone..."Stay home and rest"......"See you Wednesday"). I am so glad that I followed my inner voice, when it said.... "You have to go", even though I had just been there the day before. My beautiful sister Jane will be gone two months tomorrow on March 25th.
Jane's kindness and warmth, are the things that everyone should respect and remember. Thank you for reading my words today. Love and Light to you......
