Jan and the Quail

We have a friend Jan who recently passed away after a 2 year and 10 month trial with cancer. Hector went to see her just a few weeks before she passed. She and her husband had given him a job in their hardware store when he was 12 years old and he continued to work there until he graduated high school. Jerry and Jan taught Hector to work, to enjoy life and served as second parents. (We who raise children know that we can't do it alone and are tremendously grateful for those who play a positive role in our children's lives.)
Jan's influence reached far. She loved people and they loved her. She had a particular affinity for wildlife. When she went to her cabin at Eagle Lake all the elk would come and feed on the food she put out for them. The fox would come. Always they came a specified times of the day.
She loved birds particularly. She lived out in the outskirts of town where the quail and birds were her friends. She fed them regularly.

Jan's time to pass was close. Her breaths were long in coming and it was time. Jerry, the hospice caregiver and two close relatives were present. Jerry commented to the caregiver,"Jan loved her quail." The very second he said that the screen door slammed open and a little quail flew into the house directly over head as she lay in the hospital bed and landed behind the couch. They picked up the bird and held it close to her face and then Jerry took the quail outside. He did not want to fly away. Finally with a little coaxing he did fly away.


The interesting thing was that the deck outside the house was absolutely covered with all kinds of birds and quail. About five minutes later Jan took her last breath and  the birds her spirit took flight back home to the God who gave her life.

Matthew 10:29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing?and  one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.