Rob's closing remarks....

My husband Rob, the Student Ministries Pastor at Four Oaks Community Church here in Tallahassee, closed Mom's memorial service with these words, followed by a prayer.  Rob and I have been together for over 20 years, so she really was a second mother to him.  In fact, a friend of mine said very well that  "...If you were friends with one of Janet's kids, then it was like you were one of her kids."  Even more so with her sons-in-law...

As we close this time of remembrance and celebration of new life, I think it is important that we leave here with an exhortation in mind of how it is we are to continue on with each of our lives.


The exhortation for us is simple and dare I say obvious...and that is for us to always "Remember Janet". It's not that I'm concerned that we will forget her, it's just that I want us to actively and purposefully live our lives remembering her.

For each of us here, "Remembering Janet" will play out in different ways. The way it will play out for me, is not just by "Remembering Janet", but by "Remembering Mom", because by all accounts she will always be my second mother.

An example of what I mean is the fact that Mom was not one to sit around for any given period longer than 5 seconds. As much as I loved when Mom and Dad would visit my home, there was always an underlying sense of anxiety I would endure due to the fact that I knew I would not be "sitting around" for any length of time during their visit. By the time Mom and Dad left, there was always some sort of "Mom-inspired" house project that had been completed, usually by me. And even though I was somewhat relieved when Mom and Dad left, my desire was always for them to return soon. Because with Mom around, there was always the motivation and inspiration of staying productive and finding ways to make old things new, even if it was to simply rearrange the furniture in a room.

I use the word inspiring because that's what Janet is for all of us. When I think of her life and the way it intersected all of the lives here today, I'm reminded of the verse found in Philippians 1:21 - For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. These few words of the Apostle Paul, define every part of his being and purpose. His life was truly a win-win. Either he lives out his earthly life by serving Christ, or he goes on to the heavenly realm to rejoice in the full presence of Christ, free from the trials and afflictions of this fallen world.

That to me, is who Janet was and the purpose she lived.

The way she lived her life to serve and live Christ was by sacrificially serving others. Her entire life was a sacrifice of her own dreams and desires, because she lived her life to better the lives of everyone else, and all done with such a grace, beauty, and dignity that only Janet could bring.

Janet found her true gain on August 31st, 2011. Her gain was her found freedom from the suffering she endured for so long. Her gain was at last the full presence of Christ, and hearing the words "Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into the presence of your Lord."

All of us have are own memories and will find our own way to heal from our grief, but I encourage you to find that way by "Remembering Janet", living your life to serve others and knowing that she is finally home.