I learned this morning that Oma passed away. Though I am trying to remember her life with joy, right now I can only grieve.
For all the distance between us, Oma and Opa O were pillars of my childhood. They never forgot a birthday or failed to call or write at the holidays. We can count our time together in person in bare weeks but the love I felt in their home and in the homes of their children and from their grandchildren is all the testament one needs to know what a special and wonderful woman Oma was. Oma was my last remaining grandparent and I am so sad that she will not be able to “meet” her latest great-grandchild when Darren and I finally bring home our daughter.
I know she is with my dear Opa Tom, and with Dad and Mom, Shannon, Pam, her sisters and other loved ones who have gone on before her. Somewhere she is dancing, the pain and disability of her body gone, the lightness of her spirit lifted and joy at the meeting of old friends abounds.
Her passing is only hard for us, it is no longer hard for her.
She is added to the Company of the Ancestors and though I know I will see her again, my heart is weary.
Please keep my Aunt Joyce, Uncle Arij, Uncle Jim, Aunt Ingrid, cousing Ezra, Joram, Benjamin, Sharon, Thomas and Maarten as well as my Uncle Rolf (her nephew who was like another son to her) in your thoughts and prayers in the days to come.
I love you all. Even if I don’t see you or talk to you enough, please know that you are special to me.
Many bright blessings and love to you all.
Janice
Oma as young woman
