Just four short weeks ago, my sweet, fun-loving, free-spirited, quirky Aunt Jeanne was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Today we lost her, and Heaven gained an angel. I have always felt a special connection to her. It could have been because my mom gave me the name Heather “Jean” in honor of her sister. Or it could have been the closeness I shared with her girls, my cousins, growing up. She was also the one who first inspired my love of photography when I was just a child. I even took a class from her same photography professor, only it was about 25 years later. Like me, she took pleasure in the simple things, like a bird singing or a flower blooming. In fact, two weeks ago, she and I sat outside her home watching and listening to the cardinals as they flew back and forth, over the creek, from tree to tree. That was the last time I saw her face. Something in me told me it was going to be the last time. I hugged her extra tight, told her I loved her, and proceeded to follow through with the same goodbye she has been giving us for years now…holding my hand up in the universal peace sign and saying “Peace baby, peace!” Although we didn’t always agree on things, I admired her for her enormous heart of gold and for always being herself. She will be truly and deeply missed by all of her family and friends. So I say to God, please take extra good care of my Aunt Jeanne. I am sure you must have a really important job for her to do up there to have wanted her with you so quickly. I won’t question it, because I know your plan is perfect.

And one last time, with tears in my eyes, I say to my dearest Aunt Jeanne……..

Peace baby, peace. I love you.