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Breath of life
Poem by Laura for Aunt DJ
Poem by Laura for Aunt DJ
Remembering Deej - Our beautiful, funny, loving friend.
With love from the Xerox ladies.
I don't have a favourite memory of D-J. I have a memory of how I felt in Deej's presence. Comfort. Warmth. It seemed Deej had the ability to take in all that was happening around her. She had a quick wit that made happy times more fun, and cloudy days less daunting. Deej made me feel special, like we had a secret bond; meanwhile everyone else was probably feeling the same way.
Deej you are so missed. I'm sad that you will never know how much you meant to me. ❤
Aunt Donna-Jean loved a good party! Even if there were other events or plans on for her family that night, she’d always find a way to make an appearance! She couldn’t miss the fun or the dance floor! I used to tease her about her unique and true to DJ dance moves… she had a great groove and she owned it on the dance floor. I used to try to copy her and feel that same freedom and total joy when she let herself loose and danced the night away! Missing those groovy nights!
My most vivid memories of D-J are from the two times that I came down from Ottawa to help out with the babies.
What an immense challenge she (and you, of course) faced! I couldn’t imagine how anyone could hold up under that amount of stress. But D-J did it without ever losing her laughter or her kindness to everyone. She may have been pedalling madly below the surface, but she accepted whatever came with composure and a smile. Every minute of the day, it shone through that her top priority was always to do what was best for the babies. It must have been difficult to have a parade of strangers helping out, but it was for the babies so DJ accepted the help with grace and gratitude. I was so in awe of her.
D-J was such a special person – a one-in-a-billion. What a blessing that you, Jessica, Ash, and Elliott had her in your lives. Such a profound loss that D-J is no longer here, but I hope the memories of her love for you all will help sustain you in the coming years.
What an immense challenge she (and you, of course) faced! I couldn’t imagine how anyone could hold up under that amount of stress. But D-J did it without ever losing her laughter or her kindness to everyone. She may have been pedalling madly below the surface, but she accepted whatever came with composure and a smile. Every minute of the day, it shone through that her top priority was always to do what was best for the babies. It must have been difficult to have a parade of strangers helping out, but it was for the babies so DJ accepted the help with grace and gratitude. I was so in awe of her.
D-J was such a special person – a one-in-a-billion. What a blessing that you, Jessica, Ash, and Elliott had her in your lives. Such a profound loss that D-J is no longer here, but I hope the memories of her love for you all will help sustain you in the coming years.
DJ was always so welcoming to us!
Photos of you and D-J making pancakes for the Whatever Club crew on Aug 2, 2009 at the Whatever Club’s weekend away at the Tummon's cottage. They remind me of how much D-J enjoyed, supported and revelled in community. It also reminds me of what a wonderful team the two of you were.
I just love this
picture of her
picture of her
D-J had a skill that few people have.
She had a natural ability to make people feel welcomed and at peace. Her smile galvanized a room, and whether it was at church, at a games night, or at the arena, D-J's smile would light up the space and let you know that you were seen.
So often when we meet someone, we begrudge the interaction. However, with D-J, there was always a sense of "oh, wow, it's D-J, it will be great to chat". And, that came from the comfort and joy that she emanated. She had a smile as big as a house, and in that smile, there was a warmth like family. It is a rare gift, and it is why we mourn the loss of people like this.
We need more of them, not less of them.
She had a natural ability to make people feel welcomed and at peace. Her smile galvanized a room, and whether it was at church, at a games night, or at the arena, D-J's smile would light up the space and let you know that you were seen.
So often when we meet someone, we begrudge the interaction. However, with D-J, there was always a sense of "oh, wow, it's D-J, it will be great to chat". And, that came from the comfort and joy that she emanated. She had a smile as big as a house, and in that smile, there was a warmth like family. It is a rare gift, and it is why we mourn the loss of people like this.
We need more of them, not less of them.
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