It's now been exactly three weeks since I last posted a blog entry on this site. Sorry to everyone who has been coming to check from time to time only to find nothing new. I've been away in Ontario, with family, dealing with the death of my beloved mother. Not an easy time for me, nor for all of the members of my family. Mom was special and we're all going to miss her terribly.

Not surprisingly, I have done no creative writing whatsoever during this period. The only thing I did write during this time was the Obituary I wrote for my Mom on the day she died. I am very grateful to my siblings for agreeing to print the Obituary in the newspaper, substantially unchanged from its original form. It is honestly the most important, most personal item I have ever written. We received many compliments on it and I am grateful for those as well, even though many people simply assumed my sister Lynn wrote it! I guess that's something of a compliment to me, however, since Lynn's creative efforts are unfailingly spectacular so, if people thought she wrote it, it must have been okay.

Here it is as it appeared in the Hamilton newspaper:

It is with overwhelming sadness mixed with relief that we announce the passing of our dear mother, Janny Walma (nee Muys), early on Thursday,
April 9, 2009 at her home at Yorkville Place in Dundas. Mom fought a pitched battle with unrelenting lupus for the past eight years; when cancer came for her in the end, she had no strength left to fight it.

We will remember our mother as a strong person, a passionate role model, a loving and devoted mother and grandmother and a good friend. We will miss her every day of our lives.

Mom gave life and life-long love and support to her five children – Klaas, Janice, Michael, Lynn and Mark – whom she loved with a gentle fierceness. She welcomed into her family and loved with that same ferocity her children’s spouses and partners: Catherine, Harry, Gavin, Elizabeth and Patti. She was proud of the fine people she helped us to become and grateful that we found such exceptional people with whom to share our lives.

To her grandchildren – Peter, Tim, Nicholas, Stephen, Isabelle and Edward – Mom gave her heart and soul, savouring every moment she could spend with them, whether in person, on the telephone or via e-mail. We know that one of her only regrets is not to be able to watch them grow into the wonderful people they will become.

Over the years, Mom missed her siblings who predeceased her – Dick, Julie, Corrie, and Heidi – but was grateful for the continuing love and support of those who survive her: Phil, Joanne, Ben and Louise. She welcomed the love and kindness of their spouses and partners: Ed, Marilyn, Gerrit, Gerry, Freddie, Brian, Sara and John.

Mom leaves behind her dear friend Eva and the many good people who made her last year wonderful at Yorkville Place. She loved her friends as family; their kindness and support helped ease the challenges she faced throughout her lifetime.

Our Mom never gave up, no matter what kind of battles she faced in her life. It is a lesson we all take to our hearts.

If you wish to make a donation in memory of Janny Walma, we think the Victorian Order of Nurses, (who provided such wonderful support in her final days) might be a good choice. But, in keeping with our Mom’s devotion to the people she loved, you would be as well served to spend the money on someone you love, with Mom in your hearts as you do so.

Rest in peace, Mom; no one deserves rest more.