Thursday, July 02, 2009

Aunt Jill

Yesterday July 1st, the world got a little darker. Not because of some evil done, but because a great light passed from our family. 



Thanks to My sister-in-law for this picture from her blog post

My Aunt Jill, born with Down Syndrome spent her wonderful life giving love to all she met. You didn't say high to her without recieving a big bear hug as part of the deal. Her entire life past birth was an act of proving the Doctors wrong, for 55 wonderful years she proved those doctors wrong.  And we, and all who met her, were greatly blessed because of it.  
She loved Barbie dolls, puzzles, word-searches, big hair bows and rootbeer. She hated all frogs with an undying passion, except of course Kermit.  And she despised my fathers favorite nickname for her "Jack".  But she was always ready with a big hug from her small body and a smile a mile wide. 

This is the only picture I seem to have of Jill, sitting between her mother and her sister (My mom, with her grandchildren on her lap).  
I last saw her just before easter, amazingly she was actually remembering a few of us.  Which Alzheimers had made a  rare occasion.  I seriously regret that we hadn't found the time to make the drive up to visit her in the rest home we'd had to put her into so she could get the care she needed.  How often we regret, after the fact, not making time for the really important things. But then again I think, no I know I was trying to avoid seeing her in that condition, so it really wasn't time that was the issue. 
When we got the call that she was most likely not going to last we made plans to get up to Layton as soon as I could get off work.  But shortly after that, the call came that she was gone.  She died peacefully in the arms of Kristanne my sister-in-law, my brother Shawn and my Grandfather were there as well.
She is gone, and we are saddened, yet we rejoice, absolutely we rejoice for her, she is reunited with her mother and her oldest sister, and she is glorious and perfect.  Her handicaps are gone, but her love never really will be.
We'll miss you Jill Nielson.
I'll miss you Aunt Jill!
Dirk

8 comments:

Jamie said...

Indeed...she was a special lady and we will all miss her greatly. (By the way, that's Adrie and Jarod on your mother's lap...not the twins. ;)

Kristanne said...

Yeah that is Adrie and Jerod on Susan's lap. The twins weren't born when Merrilee died. Also the picture of Jill is from Shawn, not Jamie.

How she will be missed, how she has been missed for the last little while. While it was sad to see her go and I cried, I was so happy that she was whole and peaceful and with those she loves.

Jamie said...

I thought the sister in law he meant was you! lol That's why I didn't mention anything about the pic. :)

Dirk said...

Okay fixed the Grandkids issue.

And I was referring to Kris. I took it from her blog post when I realized I didn't have a good picture of her to post.

Virginia said...

Sweet post. These kind people do have a special place in your heart. Sorry for your loss, but so happy for her.

Orson and Marilyn said...

I remember her coming to Da's baby shower at our house. Our love and prayers are for your family. Life's unanswered questions are best looked at through the window of the gospel of Christ.

Anonymous said...

The past few days have truly been bittersweet as we have said good bye to our sweet Jill. I got to go in and tell her goodbye at the Mortuary in Ogden yesterday and she looked so truly at peace. Her soul is soaring and I am so jealous of Mom and Merrilee that they will get to know the REAL jill pill before the rest of us. I told Jill to give mom and merrilee a hug from me. Jill was a truly wonderful sister and I am so thankful that I had her in my life for 55 years

j- said...

What a sweet post!