We love you Jan / Grandma

The Huston Family Christmas 2009

Thomas got to meet Grandma & Grandpa Huston

Jan loved Christmas (2008)

Today, Jim's stepmom Jan passed away. We are so thankful that Thomas got to meet Grandma Huston. She loved Thomas so much and she loved that we were able to visit at Christmas. That was her favorite time of the year. She'd sit and admire the christmas lights at night. I remember her saying that gave her such joy.

RECAP FROM OUR TRIP & TRIBUTE TO JAN:

I got it on video....

After all was done and family was getting ready to go, Jim's stepmom asked to hold Thomas as he was getting tired, in her arms in her cushy chair. I gave her his bottle and blanket. He was so willing to go to her and climb up in her lap. She cuddled him in his blanket and grabbed this little bear she has that sings a beautiful song called "Love me forever".
I noticed her holding him and singing with this bear in a soft grandmother voice.

"Love me forever always and ever.

If I ever go away,

will you love me always. In my heart you'll always stay,

forever and always.

Say you'll love, love me forever"

I grabbed the video camera to record this most precious moment in my life. Knowing that this would probably be the last and only time Thomas would know his Grandma, made my tears flow profusely. I couldn't stop crying, just thinking how amazing our God is!! I stopped the camera and walked away toward the table where Jim was with his step-sister and brother-in-law. He noticed me crying and I pointed to his stepmom & Thomas. He just smiled and wrapped his arm around me and asked "are you okay?" I didn't answer in words but just shook my head no and started to cry more. Watching this moment was so special to me and so unforgettable. I went downstairs to our bathroom and closed the door. I couldn't help but wipe tears out of my eyes as the thought of what was happening and how it made me feel. I am happy that our answer to prayers......Thomas, has the chance to meet his Grandma. Looking in the mirror in the bathroom alone, I kept saying to myself "Pull it together, pull it together." I wiped my tears and then walked back up to join the family. Agh, such a special night! After everyone left, and Thomas went to sleep, Jim & I sat next to the fire with his stepmom. The ambiance of the Christmas lights on the decor in the house and just our fellowship was so nice. We talked about everything even God. We sat and talked for 2.5 hours, just basking in the moments. She said "stay with me awhile and talk, and can you heat me a cup of milk?" Jim & I both know that she wanted to be with us, because she knows she won't have much more time with us ever again to sit, as the cancer is progressing quickly.

Even though we knew Jan's cancer had progressed and her time was limited, it is still hard to hear that she has passed away. She had lived longer than expected with her cancer. Thanks Jan for all the happy memories. Thanks for the late night scrabble games and the late night chats. You will be missed.