A DEDICATION TO JAN

I lost my best friend.

Jan, you were my best friend. Not only my best friend, but you were like a sister to me. I was so lucky to have known you, my dear friend.

Jan, I could tell you everything, and I knew you would understand me. You had the answer to everything to make me feel better:

Jan, I knew that if I got on the phone at night that we would chat for ages. Then you would say to me, 'Why don't you come and see me tomorrow'.

You have been an angel's presence in my life ‑ a sweet blessing of kindness and understanding. You inspired me in everyway and you have given me so much courage. If I am where I am today, it's because of you, my friend.

I recall the first time I met you in Media class. I was finding the class very hard and at lunchtime I came to you and said, 'Look Jan, I am going home because I can't write English'. You said to me, 'NO, NO! Don't go. You stay and you will see you are going to be okay. I am here if you need me and I will help you'. You would always inspire and encourage me, my dear friend.

Thank you Jan, you really helped me and I feel like you are still my angel looking out to me from above.

You were such a wonderful teacher. You treated everyone equally, no matter what our origins were, we were all the same to you. I love you for all your beautiful qualities.

Jan, I will cherish all the time‑re spent together for‑the rest of‑my life. I will never forget the wonderful, kind, generous and understanding person that you were. I was so very lucky to meet you by chance in a classroom. After which I would affectionately refer to you to others as “la mia maestra” (my teacher).

Above all what stood out about you Jan was your knowledge. You were so knowledgeable on so many levels: History, the Arts, relationships, travel and you would so passionately want to share this knowledge and advice with others.

Jan, you were not only my best friend but you became part of my family, especially for my daughters Rickie, Laura and Silvana. They all came to know you, and we all loved you very much. We will cherish forever our last Christmas together. It's going to be very hard without you anymore but you are in our hearts.

Thank you my friend, for making my world brighter ...You hold a special place in my heart, now and forever.

Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of our friendship. Through this gift you have given us love... comfort... laughter... and countless blessings. Help us to show our friends how much they mean to us. That they are indeed more valuable than any riches of this world. May we always look to you for guidance as we hold these delicate relationships in our hearts and hands. Amen.

Farewell, may you rest in Peace "my cousin". We know what we mean when we say "my cousin". We all love you .....

Rosa Mezzalira.