In Loving Memory: Janet Young
February 16, 1923 - September 22, 2007
Janet Young - My Grandmother
My Late Grandparents and a Little Me.
Grandma, you will always be in our hearts, in our prayers, and in our memories.
You have been an inspiration to me;
teaching me about what it means to love, what is means to be strong,
and what it means to have faith.
You once told me and your other grandchildren never to give up on our dreams, ideals, and beliefs.
We will do our very best.
Your life was a gift to you, but you took it and made it a gift for others, for God.
I imagine that in Heaven, you will be quite happy to see Grandpa again, as well as meet many of your favorite actors and actresses. Say hello to Greta Garbo, Gregory Peck, Cary Grant, Loretta Young,
Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Bogie, and the rest of the gang.
I will always remember your life-giving smile, your youthful laugh, and the shining light in your eyes.
To quote the angel character in “The Bishop’s Wife”(1947),
“The only people who grow old were born old to begin with.”
To Janet Young, who was and will be…forever young.
September 24th, 2007 at 9:43 pm
I’m sorry to hear about your grandmother. I think I had met her once, while filming Lucid Dreamers? I’m sorry for your loss but also that she won’t be there to see you get married or accept your first Academy Award. Even so, I know she’ll be in everyone’s thoughts anyway. I can’t speak for your family but I’m sure she won’t be forgotten.
Peace.
September 26th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
hi andy,
your grandmother’s life, your words in the loving memory, our current film, and YOU as my dear friend together make me think of LIFE and calling once more. here are some of my thoughts. i don’t know if it’s directly related to this blog entry, but i’d love to dedicate it to you and to Grandma Janet Young.
remember the beginning line in our new film?
____________________________________________
a mental conversation about calling
- so, you are praying about your calling?
- yes, i’m doing that.
- how do you do that?
- i look back, pause, close my eyes, wait, reflect, and look forward.
- have you seen anything?
- yes, i saw values.
- what values? what do you value most in life?
- beauty, love, depth, and meaning. i think that reveals my calling.
- have you seen any God-given gifts in yourself?
- i saw the desire to write and to know hearts.
- you like writing?
- yes, i do.
- who are your fav. writers and why?
- aileen chang before i became christian, and henri nouwen afterwards, for their profound understanding of humanity and hearts, and their incredible ability to communicate that.
- what do you think you can contribute to the world?
- healing broken hearts through beauty and understanding, and introducing a way to the depth of the divine love.
- how do you describe your calling? can you name it?
- depth of heart. 心灵深处 … do you agree?
- yes, i can see that too.
- then, do you want to say something to help me enter and walk in my journey well?
- well, open your eyes and see the practical people and practical things around you as God-sent angels instead of interruptions. although you calling is about “deep calling deep”, you can’t live in there all the time, otherwise you will exhaust yourself and get drowned. find simple happiness in life. engage with your body; eat and sleep well. enjoy those ordinary moments with your family and friends, for that is the true blessing which you ought to recognize.
________________
hope you will recognize those ordinary moments with extraordinary beauty in your life. may Grandma Janet have a good and joyful rest in His eternally loving embrace.
peace and love,
hazel
September 27th, 2007 at 1:18 pm
Andy,
Thank you for such beautiful and heartfelt words in tribute of Grandma Janet. She always put God and her family first and was so proud of all of us. She was especially close to you and was so supportive of your writing and creative filmmaking. She was the best listener I have ever known. I always enjoyed watching you both interact while reviewing ideas and scripts, or watching classic movies or your films. You both liked to tease each other and watch Oscar’s antics. Grandma was such a reader & loved to play our old upright piano and sing with us. You have so much of her in your personality, Andy. You are both very caring and fun people and live your faith.
All of the family drew comfort from your tribute at a time we most needed it–thank you so much. Dec. 30th will be the Memorial Mass at St. Teresa’s, Bodega, for family, friends and community.
Love& Blessings,Mom & Dad
October 3rd, 2007 at 6:30 pm
That’s really beautiful, Andy, and your writing it must have been somewhat healing for you as well as your family. I would like to have known your grandmother, but I’m sure I know a part of her through you and your mother. Thank you for sharing this lovely lady with the rest of us.
Joanne