My heart is heavy.
God answered my fervent prayer.
So why am I sad?
My cousin, Cliff, died.
I received the news today:
God answered my prayer.
I prayed for freedom –
Freedom from this earthy pain.
Our God is faithful.
His family gathered;
All his loved ones surrounded,
And God took him home.
God of Great Mercy,
Thank you for answering prayer.
Now, heal my heart’s hole!
Cliff & Janine
with their two daughters
and sons-in-law,
two sons,
daughter-in-law,
and three grandsons
Cliff and Janine are two of my favorite people in the world!
And now Cliff has left this world…
but he lives on in the hearts of all of us who will always love him.
Janine’s mom is my second cousin, Betty.
Her mom was my mom’s oldest sister’s oldest daughter.
That sounds rather confusing and maybe like a “distant relative”… but there is nothing distant about my relationship with Janine. I was twelve when my family drove from California to Washington to visit mom’s family near Seattle in Issaquah…
and to meet Aunt Evelyn’s first grandchild.
Aunt Evelyn and Uncle Hans were my first connection to the land of Switzerland which claimed our daughter DeAna about two dozen years later! Uncle Hans immigrated from the German part of Switzerland to the state of Washington. Their daughter, my cousin, Betty, with her husband, Nick, lived right across the alleyway from her parents. Knowing we were there, she came over with her new baby, Janine. You know my name in JAN – and so I immediately claimed JANine as my own!!
I was there for Cliff and Janine’s wedding. I claim Cliff as my cousin, too!
Cliff was “Opa” to his three grandsons.
A more doting and loving grandfather never graced this earth!
I am so sad that those three boys will not have
the presence of the Opa as they grow into adulthood.
And the youngest one is too little
to have lasting memories of him.
It makes me cry!
Cliff was a robust man
– a former University of Washington champion rower –
weighing over 200 pounds most of his adult life.
Cancer and the chemo treatments
wasted away his body and took away his strength
– and eventually his life.
But his spirit lives on.
He’ll remain strong and robust forever
in all of us who knew and loved him.
We are a vast array of Cliff-Dwellers!
Hans, Stefan, Janine, Heidi, and Erika
God bless you, my Word Press family.
Thank you for praying for my cousin, JANine, and her family.
See ya tomorrow.
JanBeek
Comments on: "This Cliff-Dweller is Heavy-Hearted" (42)
Ohhhhhhh 😣😖😫😩🥺😢😭 I’m oh so sorry to read this. Poor family! It must be horribly difficult to lose him. I’m glad they were able to say goodbye. I really feel for them all. I pour my heart love out to them across the distances. I love you, Hurn family!
Thank you, DeDe <3
My condolences to you, and your family, Jan. 🌷
Thank you so much, Sally. <3
Bless you all. 💙
Thank you {{{Claudia}}}
Much love and condolences.
Go rest high Cliff. When we get to heaven Jan, you will have to introduce me. God be with his family as you all grieve.
https://youtu.be/a6_I_Kzb1HE
Thank you so much, {{{Donna}}}
Thank you for this beautiful video. <3
You are welcome. Thank you for your open and honest blog.
I’m very sorry for your loss and I send my love and prayers to the family. What a lovely tribute you gave him here and a very interesting family history to read as well. Hugs!
Thank you, Laina. I appreciate your love & care.
Dearest Jan, I have tears reading your post…great big hugs and lots of love to you during this difficult. You are certainly a lady that loves much and is much loved. May God heal the hole in your heart. Amen
Thank you so much. God is the ultimate healer. I know He will… and I pray that for my cousin, Janine, too. <3
Oh Jan, I got home from Bozeman, unloaded groceries, and finally looked at email. My heart aches for you and all Cliff’s family. I know the prayer for release well. I prayed it for Alex and asked my faith filled friends to do the same. Alex wanted to go, and prayers were answered. He suffered so, and even though you prayed for the mercy of his release, the hole in your heart still hurts! Know that you are held close to my heart and always in prayer. 🙏
Thank you, Fran. The more we love, the bigger the space that love takes in our heart and the bigger the hole when our loved one is gone.Only God can eventually fill the hole and heal our aching hearts. God bless you. I know you can relate … and you understand only too well. <3
Deepest Condolences.
JAN, May you and your family feel God’s comforting presence during this time of sorrow.
I appreciate your condolences, Jeena. It is so hard not to have been able to see him before he passed – and then not to be able to travel there and hug Janine in person. ;(
I can imagine your pain. God bless you my dear JAN. Keep praying.
Thank you, Jeena. God is good! We talk every day … and I hear His assurances. I know Cliff is in heaven and out of pain. I’ll see him again someday. Thank God for faith! 👍🏽❤️
Yeah, Absolutely, He is faithful always <3
What a beautiful family Jan. So sorry for your loss. At least Cliff is in a better place than we are. Prayers for you and your family.🙏🏻
Thank you so much, Susan. Your prayers and love are comforting. 🙏🏽❤️
So sorry to hear of your cousins passing. May your wonderful memories of the times you spent with him fill that hole you feel in your heart.💐
Thank you so much, Ann. I appreciate your visit to JanBeek and taking the time to comment. Your condolences are a loving salve 😘👌🏽
Jan, thank you for sharing you love and loss with “us” your online family and cousins in the family of God. My thoughts and prayers are with you. 💛🙏🏻🌻
Thanks so much, Charlotte. I appreciate you! 😘💕
My commiserations to you all
Bless you, Derrick. Thank you. 😍❤️
Sending heart-felt condolences and love to you and all the family Jan 💞💜💞
Thank you so much. I feel the love ❤️ and I pray Janine & the family does, too. 🥰
God bless you and your family, Jan, as you grieve for Cliff xx
Thank you, Lesley ❤️👍🏽🙏🏽
Dear Jan, I pray the comforter rests upon you all. Cliff and family seem wonderful, and I am thankful that you have such loving memories. Blessings of His love and peace. ♥
Thank you, {{{Jacquie}}} ❤️ I appreciate your prayers. 🙏🏽
So very sorry for your loss.
Heartfelt condolences.
x
So kind of you – I know you more than understand the pain of losing a loved one and the importance of faith in Hod’s heavenly promises 👍🏽❤️😇
x 💖 x
My condolences 💜
Thank you, Miss Sparkle! I appreciate you. 👍🏽❤️
My condolences to you and your family! God bless you all 🧿
Thank you, Shilpa 🥰