As I sit in absolute shock, I know my very dear friend, mentor and teacher would prefer we celebrate her life and not mourn her passing.
My heart feels as if its breaking, as I slowly accept that it's not a cruel prank. That our world has lost a bright light, heaven has a new angel!
I remember meeting Janka for the first time in February of 2006, her soon to be mother-in law was with, helping translate when she struggled.
As I type this, I'm finding it hard to choose the story that best describes Janka. I know those of us who's life's she touched are forever changed for the better! You could not help, but be captivated by her gentleness, enthralled by her effortless beauty, a beauty that shone from within her.
Her memorial service took place on 26 April in her home town at 1pm. We hold a remembrance today, with as many of her students as we could reach this week.
A dear friend and mentor suggested I share my story, so as I sit here waiting for my daughter to fall asleep for her nap and listen to Rose's jabbering, I realise that during my last conversation with Janka, she emphassised how precious she held these moments with her own daughter!
So I've decided to tell a Mija story, it's one of many, that I was so privileged to be part of.
Mija had been at school almost a year already, and had made some friends. Janka, had phoned me to come and look after Mija, while she gave her bi-monthly Saturday class. It was a lovely spring day, so Mija and I went for a walk. We chatted about the things we saw, the colours of the cars that passed. Eventually we spoke about school, Mija was at this stage about 3yrs old. She told me all about her friend at school, who had taken her (placemat/blanket?), I struggled to understand the concept, but apparently each child had their own. Mija, was hurt by the action, as no amount of asking could get the other child to return it. Mija, had decided that she would hide this object from now on, and would no longer be friends with the other child. She told me matter of factly, that she didn't shout like her pappa, but she did cry. That she didn't take the other child's thing away, like her "grandpa" (Mija used the Slovak term here, Janka had to translate it later). But that she went to the teacher for help, who then gave her another one, so that Mija could do the class activity too.
Although, my dear friends diplomacy drove me a little insane, I'm much more a tow my line or show me a better way to achieve the goal, type of person! I drive many people insane with my "just get it done " philosophy. Plus, I'm super bossy, (I delegate well you see!) I can look back and see how that characteristic, enabled Janka to love and forgive time and time again, enabling her to touch such a diverse set of people!
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