MY SISTER/MOTHER JANE......

      It was our Mother Lois's birthday several weeks ago, I miss her very much, so I remembered our Mother with a candle in my church on that day.  My sister Jane was really like a Mother to me too,  in so many ways, all through the years since our childhood together.  Jane would come to my late brother Jimmy's and my apartment with lasagna and other food, that she would make for us, and then proceed to clean our apartment.  It goes much, much deeper than that, on the level of her "mothering-care" towards us, as our real Mother was off in her new life, in another state at the time.
      I'll never forget the concern and "mother-love" that Jane showed me, at the time that I was very ill and bed-bound with "mono".  Jane was 5 months pregnant at the time, so she was not suppossed to be exposed to me, in my condition with this illness.  Still, my sister/mother Jane would come over, and leave crock pots filled with beef stew, or home-made soups for me at our apartment door.  Jane would then come in later, (when I was not so contagious) and she would clean the apartment, and then even take some of our laundry, to do it for us. (Despite that fact that Jane had two children of her own, and a baby on the way).  That is the kind of sister/mother that Jane was to me.  We would  talk almost every day (and often several times a day), during the last ten years of her life, that I was lucky enough to have my sister living closer to me.  I will never forget all the things that Jane did for me, and I remember my beautiful sister every day, that I am still fortunate enough to be on this Earth.  Thank you for reading my words today.  Love and Light to you.

JANE'S LOVE AND KINDNESS LIVE ON......

My sister Jane ( still radiating beauty although very ill with cancer at the time of this photo that I took), with  her "baby" schnauzer Lily, who is now happy in a new home

   

                Jane's beauty, love and kindness continue to live on in many, many ways.  I am still in contact with the people who gave Jane's pet dog Lily a home, even though she has been with them for over 9 months now.  I took Lily home with me for 3 months after my sister died last year. I brought her back to New York in a carry-bag, on the light-rail to the Path-train to the subway to Metro-north, and finally to my place.  It took me a long time to find Lily the right home, but it was worth all of the effort.  ( I have to thank my friend Kaz for his enormous amount of time and effort in placing Lily, as I was still devastated and not well after losing my sister).  Lily is now living with the elderly in a home in the countryside, and they adore her.  They give and get the same love and attention that Jane and Lily shared.  I could not let the memory of my sister down, by not making sure that her "baby", was living in a safe and loving home.  I miss Lily, but I could never give her the time and attention that she needs.  I will be visiting Lily, on my way to the Great Lakes this summer.              
                Jane lives on in so many other ways too.  I saved all the cards and letters that Jane sent to me over the years, as well as all of Jane's beautiful poems and short stories that she had written.  Jane's dear friend Virginia, has remembered Jane on all the important dates, by sending me very warm and supportive messages, on Jane's birthday, Christmas, New Years, Jane's date of passing and even on Valentines day.  Its been incredibly helpful to me.
                I still remember the day that I took this picture above of Jane and Lily, on a visit to my beautiful sister, on a day of watching old movies, coffee and snacks.  What wonderful memories to have, they help me through the haunting flashbacks of my dear sisters final painful months, that I experienced with her.
                I almost forgot to make my point of all of this....I just received another message from Lily's owners stating...."Your sister Jane must have been an incredibly kind and gentle soul, to raise such an affectionate and loving pet".  So you see, my sister Jane's love and kindness live on forever in all of these things, and in many other ways including forever inside my heart.  Thank you for reading our words today.  Love and Light to you.