Jane’s Heart Journey

September 30, 2026

Aunt Jane

Today is the date that my Aunt Jane passed away. I was 17 years old at the time and had not really witnessed death up close until this. The last time I saw her was Sunday afternoon at the care facility. She was not well, but I still did not understand what was happening. Even though she was struggling when I saw her, in my mind, I did not think she was going to die. When I saw that parents’ faces offered no reassurance, I retreated into silence. The phone call came early the morning of September 30th, and life became a little harsher that day. My Aunt Jane had passed away.

I was named after her, and even now, I can see how she lives through me. I love to cook, to bake, crochet and sew, and I love to garden. These things were the essence of my Aunt Jane, she made everything a masterpiece, including how she cared for us. She was funny, kind, she was a traveler, the best cook, and a staple for my Dad and the family. It has been 35 years since she passed on to glory, and this is the first time that I have talked/written about my Aunt Jane. I have mentioned her and remembered certain things in different conversations, but I have not sat with my thoughts and feelings like this, and I still think I have some processing to do. As I sit here with tears rolling down my cheeks, I treasure the summer vacations, the fun excursions to the mall, eating pie at Tippins, and the weekly visits to her home, and the miracles that she made for the family during the holidays. I treasure how even sitting with her felt like a mysterious adventure, even in small conversations.

After she passed, I remember driving down the highway with my parents to Aunt Jane’s home. This song by James Taylor came on the radio, and though I had heard it so many times before, the words suddenly felt relevant to my life path. I love you Aunt Jane…. I thought I would see you again; little did I know then that I will, but only that it will be a little further down the road.