Categories: uncategorized
Date: 24 August 2004 17:56:37
Those of you who knew me last year at Greenbelt might have known that while I was there I had a sudden bereavement. Yesterday was the 1st anniversary, to be honest I was glad it was while I was still at home rather than at GB, so I was able to go out for the evening with a good friend so we could raise a glass to him and remember together. Jan had a massive heart attack, in his mid-40s - apparently he had undiagnosed heart failure which nobody (including him) knew about, and there was nothing anyone could have done. Apparently the ambulance men commented on how peaceful and happy he looked (we were told he had a huge grin on his face - he was always really looking forward to heaven). One thing my former church leader said at the time which I'll always remember was that we won't remember Jan's heart because it failed but because it was so big - he was one of the most generous people I've ever met, and he always had time for the marginalised - a huge example to me. I remember at church he always used to sit right by the door (partly because the guys from the rehab place the church supported used to sit there and he always used to make sure that they were welcomed and spoken to, and partly because it meant he could make a quick escape if the service was annoying him, which I SO related to!), and so he was always pretty much the first person you met as you went in. That's another reason why I'd find it really hard to go back to a service there. His death totally knocked the stuffing out of those of us who knew him, but I bet he's having a blast now. Jan the Man - one in a million. I miss you - but I still can't help but smile every time I think of you. If you're reading this - give Dorothy a hug from me (she always preferred the guys, I think she'd enjoy that :) ).