~
~ Nothing is so strong as gentleness and nothing is so gentle as real strength.
Gentle. If I were asked to define Jaidan in a word...that'd be it. Gentle. His gentleness was natural, no effort involved. He was naturally kind and caring. You felt it standing next to him, in conversations on the telephone, even in his emails. We couldn’t have asked for a more loyal, trustworthy & caring friend. As I run down my list of friends in my email address book, sending out the latest joke, or quote, or cartoon…there he is, right between Jacquie and Janet. Jaidan. I miss you buddy. The way you babied Sparky and Shadow…and even Alotta! Your gentleness didn’t end with people. It carried over to all living things, and even inanimate things. Like my computer, Alotta Ram. The hours you spent playing around on her to make her run like clockwork…just because you cared. An example of your caring for our beloved pets. We called to tell you we were on our way home, a day earlier than planned. You didn't answer the phone. When we got home you explained that you couldn't answer the phone because Shadow had fallen asleep on your chest and you didn't want to disturb him. I think Sparky and Shadow enjoyed it when we went away...it meant Jaidan was coming! You were a good person, Jaidan. I knew you’d have done anything for us…simply because you were our friend, Jaidan. I admired your honesty and your love of nature, and your biking treks! How many trips over that mountain did you take to our place in Winfield? Now that’s a trek and a half! You enjoyed the night ride, the stars, the moon, the view, the peacefulness of the night ride. We were always grateful for your phone call when you arrived home safely. You cared. I admired your patience…part of your gentleness. Let people be. Let them grow at their own pace. I appreciated your support during difficult times: The CASA days. Dealing with tough issues. Growing. Learning. Becoming. Realising Family is not necessarily who you are born to...but who you choose to be with. You were our family Jaidan. I so appreciated your feedback on my poems and writings…some of it not easy to read, but you read and you expressed your care. I will always be grateful for that. I could trust you with a most sacred part of me, and know it was safe. I enjoyed reading your poems, too…Sand Castles, I remember. So succinct, and yet said so much. Maybe I’ll be able to post it here sometime. I’d like that. I am hoping your other friends and family will contribute to this Memorial page…we were one small facet in the diamond of your life. I encourage others to share their memories. I’m putting Enya for background music, Jaidan. You introduced us to her -- taped three cassettes for us. I fell in love with her music. Thank you. I admired your lack of want for the material. I admired your compassion for the 'underdogs' in society. I admired your gentleness, Jaidan. Gentleness flowed from you like the sweet essence of 'fresh' after a rain. We only have one picture of you Jaidan. You preferred to be behind the camera. But, the one photo we do have of you -- tobogganing at Winfield Elementary -- brings back great memories. What hoot we had that day! Endless sliding, tobogganing, crazy-carpeting...and snowball fights. That was a great day. The pic’s not real clear, but clear enough to see your SMILE -- What a smile, Jaidan. You could melt 'bergs with that smile. We still have your phone messages on our answering machine. Finally brought myself to listen to them again. Wasn’t such a good idea…it just made the reality of you being gone all the more difficult to deal with. I can’t erase them. For now I’ll just know they’re there. Letting go? I don’t want to. We lost a dear friend -- You, Jaidan. However will we carry on without you? The world changed November 28, 2004. I believe you’re in a better place. I truly do. It’s we, who are left behind, with a part of our hearts torn out, which bear the burden of continuing without you -- Not an easy feat, Jaidan. Take good care, Buddy. We’ll meet again.
Shirley Harshenin
|
If anyone would like to contribute photos, memories, poems/writings, etc. to Jaidan’s memorial page, please contact me: Phone: 250-766-4358 Email shirley@cablelan.net Postal mail: Shirley Harshenin, 2785 Northview Place, Winfield, BC, V4V 1R1 Please share your memories. Any photos (or original material) will be treated with utmost care. I will scan them and return them same day. |
