Nana…

When I heard the news that Jan had left us, I tried to think of what I could say to those who loved her.

My mind goes back to what Jan did for me in a similar moment.

When my Mother passed away, I sat in the beauty shop with my heavy heart and my head hanging.

A soft voice sitting across from me said, “Cheryl, do you know what I remember about your Mother?

“Her beautiful smile…”

“She was a few years ahead of me in school, and I can remember thinking what a pretty smile she had.”

That moment always warms my heart because Jan reached into my grief and gave me back a piece of my Mother for just a second.

A glimpse of my Mother as a teenager from a set of eyes that had seen her there.

Looking at pictures of Jan as a teenager herself, it is sweet to think that the two would later share grandchildren.

That painful moment is now such a sweet memory because it not only includes my Mother, but it also includes Jan.

Jan was born on July 7, 1955. 

She married and raised 3 beautiful children. 

But somewhere along the way in everyday life and an ordinary existence, a miraculous event can often happen right under our noses.

We may have been so busy celebrating the beautiful event of her first grandchild, Ashley, coming into the world.  And in that wonderful moment, it may have been easy to overlook.

But in hindsight, you can now see that Nana came into existence that day as well.

The beautiful day that Nana was born should be a date that was also documented.  

Just ask her 5 grandchildren.

Because Jan became a grandmother with a soft spirit that is still hard to capture. 

It is probably because of her rare appearances to adults because most eyewitnesses to her gentle presence were children.

In fact, in most adult settings, she would actually be missing.

She would never be found front and center.  But if you went to check on the kids, you would find her in the floor playing cars with Tyler and Jared.

There is an opportunity with your grandchildren to right every wrong.  Heal every wound.  Relive the childhood of your children, but most of all-find your purpose.

And in becoming Nana, Jan Hyde McClung found hers.

People always say that you should lead by example.  The beauty of Jan’s leadership came in humbler acts of service.

Whether it was knowing how to get stains out of uniforms or carrying a first aid kit, she was not only prepared to help…

In the grandmother category, Jan was an Olympian.

Always taking the backseat and having your back at the very same time.

I hope and pray that all of you will find the beautiful feeling of being in her presence in your memories.

That you will hear the echo of her words and find new guidance from her in moments that you didn’t even know you were listening.

You will remember the feeling of her hugs and the sparkle in her eyes when she smiled at you.

That deep within your heart, you will find her love and know that she is part of you always.

And take comfort in knowing that the love she gave you will always remain…