Because she loved Chardonnay and sandals. I saw more of her toes than anything…
So I had this friend. Her name was Jan.
I met her when my small business was nominated for a local award…I think it was June 2010. She was the general manager of our local mall.
Jan hired me for a lot of mall shoots; in fact, she asked me to shoot the 4th of July fireworks from on TOP of the mall. I overcame my fear of ladders and climbed straight up to the mall roof and got my tripod and camera set up. I shot some killer photos, which can be found here.
Jan and I became fast friends. We both had a love of marketing and a love of wine. She called me to come shoot our mall’s events, and I was loving every minute of it.
She introduced me to turducken, which, if you’ve been following me since the beginning, was what we had for Thanksgiving dinner, back in 2011. So, this is what turducken looks like:
And, damn, y’all! It was good. Food was good, company was good; the whole freaking day was just…GOOD.
So from that point on, Jan and I would hook up and have wine at a few local dining establishments – with oysters or wings, or just munchies in general, and she was amazing at making me feel so much better about myself. In fact, I posted a blog here about having amazing women friends. Sometimes we’d meet alone, sometimes with the hubs and some others from our business networking group, and sometimes with just another really cool woman friend…Jan talked me through a really dark period in my life and made me see some things from a different perspective. I’ll never forget that.
Eventually I closed my business, and withdrew membership to our business networking group, but we tried to keep up with each other. When the new Harris Teeter opened up here in greater Goldsboro last August, we bumped into each other and talked about getting together. Seemed like every time I went to the Teeter, Jan was there. “Let’s get together,” we’d say…and we never made it happen.
Hell, I just saw her not 5 weeks ago at the Teeter…It was sleeting and it was March and it was weird that it was sleeting in March. We smiled and waved, thinking we had all the time in the world.
Bzzzt…wrong answer. She was getting ready to go…to Pennsylvania to her sister’s place. I got a PM while in a meeting at work this morning from Ruth Anne, a member of our networking group, telling me that Jan passed away this morning. She forwarded me the email that she received, and I still haven’t had the opportunity to cry this out.
Because we lost touch, because I loved her, because I’ve missed her, and because I kick myself for not staying in touch, I submit the following mini-gallery:
I’m sorry, Jan, that we didn’t stay close. I’m going to miss you. I purchased a bottle of Flip Flop Chardonnay and drank it this evening in your honor. Chardonnay because you loved it, and Flip Flop because I will remember you for always showing your badass toes.
I know people die every day…just not MY people. I’m pretty sure the damn is gonna break, and I’m fairly certain it’s going to go down while I am in the tub tonight, so yeah.
Further? Don’t say, “let’s get together” and then not do it. Life’s lesson learned, ok? Because this shit’s just too damned short, y’all…
Rest easy, Girl. You’re going to be missed…a LOT…
Until next time….
Random Musings From a Type-A Workaholic 
I will hold your precious heart in my prayers. Everyone loses touch, my dear, don’t feel too guilty. We all expect to reconnect, it takes two people to set aside their busy lives and schedules. Julie, I will definitely keep Jan’s family in my prayers, too. It helps remind us of how fleeting life is, trite but true. You need to not worry, but be grateful you both saw each other and were happy to see each other, that last brief moment in time…
Pingback: And On A Lighter Note… | Random Musings From a Type-A Workaholic
I’m so very sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. It’s a good reminder to all of us that we should try harder to stay in touch, and always let our friends and loved ones know how much they mean to us. You, her family and friends are in my prayers. xoxo
Thanks so much, Lisa! I hope you’re on the mend.
I’m a little better each day. Thank you! 🙂
So very sorry for your loss. It’s always hard to lose a friend.
Thanks you. She’s going to be missed by many, I’m sure.
Aw Julie, I’m so sorry you lost your friend. It’s a tough thing to experience and reminds me all too much how fleeting life is. I hope you’re okay. You sound like an amazing friend to have and she was lucky to have had you in her life.
I’m ok, Janey… 🙂 At least I have my mind around it. I’ll be back to my usual hilarity this weekend, I’m sure. I have a date with “She Who Shall Not Be Named,” and she is always great writing material. 🙂 Thanks for touching base and asking! 🙂
This post reminds me that I need to immediately call my best friend that I’ve had since high school (many, many, many years) and with whom I’ve lost touch lately, but whom I think of so often. Thank you.
You’re welcome…pick up that phone! 🙂
Awwww sweet post Julie and I’m so sorry to hear about your friend. You’re such a sweet lady and you always find a way to share and spread your sweetness with others!
Thanks, Kristin!
This was a really brave and emotional post Julie – have sobbed my way through it, am so sorry for your loss – but your message rings out loud and clear – you have to seize every day and act as if it is to be your last…I am rubbish at keeping in touch with people and I so need to put this into action 😦 Sending you lots of hugs xxx
Awww, thanks, Lydia! I know this was a wake up call to me, as well. I’m going to make a serious effort to be better about keeping up with people.
This was a beautiful post, I’m sorry you lost your friend. She looks like a lady that knew how to enjoy herself. Time can go so fast, thanks for the reminder that we need to keep in touch with friends as best we can.
Thank you. She was a trip! 🙂 And an awful lot of fun.
Julie, I’m so sorry! Prayers sent Jans way. She’s probably sharing a bottle of flip flop with our maker and putting in a good word for all of her friends.
I hope so, Rob. She was good people.
Holy shit. WTF, Muffy!
I know… 😦
I’m so sorry you lost your friend and it’s very brave of you to write here and to give us all a reminder that we don’t always have tomorrow so we should do what we need to do while we can.
Jan sounds like an awesome lady and you were lucky to have had her as a friend, even though it was not for long enough x
We don’t always have the time we think we do. Don’t put off what you should do today,,,
Amen to that. Julie, you enjoy that tub tonight. Your beloved Jan has now become a part of even more people’s lives, who will get to know her through you. What a legacy for a great lady!
She was amazing…made a person feel like they could do anything. I am going to miss the hell out of her.