RIP Janet Sara Rich

Jun 18, 2011 16:14

Sept 11, 1973 - June 14, 2011


Born Janet Sara Janus, daughter of John and Janet Janus, we never called her by her first name.... she was Sara to me.  My father wanted us all to have J. J. initials, so they named her Janet, after my mother, but we called her Sara.  My little sister was the creative one, the actress, the artist, but also a stellar student.  She always had Honor Roll grades and graduated third in her High School class (I barely managed to eek into the top 10...) She went to UNH and got a degree in Bio-science and Technology.

Growing up we were each others closest friend.  Living in rural Maine on a 55 MPH road with no sidewalks, there were few friends whose houses we could walk to and so we were playmates, confidantes, and rivals.  We spent days exploring and making up our own worlds in the woods and fields surrounding the house and the farm.  We dug up "treasures" lost in the midden, and griped together over chores.  We played "dress up" and "store" and drew on each other with markers and got gum in our hair (Much to my Mother's dismay... chewing gum was forbidden in our house from the time I was about seven or so) At one point in our childhood we fought so much that our parents gave us boxing gloves for Christmas.  In retrospect, maybe not the best parenting choice, but it makes for a good story.

We remained close even after we each went off to college and established our own lives.  Weekends would find us at one or the others' house, sharing laughter and joy.  We would play Balderdash, and rather than play according to the rules and try and write the most convincing definitions for unknown words, we would try and write the most outlandish, funniest answers.

Her birthday is September 11.  I remember that in 2001, we had a big surprise party planned for her at one of her favorite restaurants.  We had invited friends she hadn't seen in a long time.  We decided to go ahead with the party despite the tragedy of the day because to do otherwise would have "let the terrorists win"  It was a subdued party, but a party nonetheless, and I am thankful to this day that I have those memories to contrast with the more awful ones from that day. Sept. 11 is still Sara's birthday first in my mind.

She got sick several years ago, and I could do little to help her. I offered support, I offered advice, but I was helpless against her disease.  I remained hopeful that she would find her way back, that she would conquer her demons and overcome the pain and return to us.

That hope is gone now.  A phone call on Thursday afternoon delivered the news, and with that news, died the millions of hopes I held for her, and for us.

Rest sweetly, beloved sister.  I am glad your pain is ended, though I had hoped with all my heart that there would be a different way. I will always remember you laughing.  Throwing your head back in that coquettish way you had.  I will remember you in love and on your way.  I will remember you happy and beautiful.  I will remember you. I will miss you.

sister, childhood memories, death, family, sara

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