Janet Cain

How can you ever forget the person who introduced you to Harry Potter? I was about 15 when my mother and I went to Driggs Idaho to visit my Aunt Janet and her family. She is a teacher, and was quick to find me a few good books to read. She went on and on about how much I would like the Harry Potter books, and to my own amazement, I spent the majority of my stay curled up in her leather recliner with the first volume. When it was time to go home, she set books 2 and three in my luggage and made me promise to mail them back to her when I was done.
It seems like a trifle, but to me it was some much needed attention and understanding form a relative that didn’t want anything in return. Aunt Janet has always been like that – excited, passionate, loud, and happy, and completely at ease to let you be who you want to be.
When I was four years old my Mother and Father decided they had had enough of each other and split up. Everything was chaotic. Law suits were filed, custody was battled, and we five kids were stuck in the middle of it. Janet took us all for a little while. I don’t remember how long, but I do remember staying g with her in the log cabin house in Driggs. It’s a very pleasant memory for me. I loved going for walks in the shadow of the Teton Mountains. I loved playing with my cousins. I loved that there was a peaceful atmosphere in the home. I do remember my cousin Kim and me dancing for Janet and Richard (my uncle) and how proud they were of us. They went on and on about how good we were. I just loved and craved that attention and praise.
Dad won the custody suit, and I went to live with him. Once he remarried, I lost contact with my mother and all of her family for six years. – including my Aunt Janet. But when we were all reunited it was like there was something stronger than time and hope that had kept us close. It was just as easy when I visited with Mom to play, relax, and enjoy the peace that comes with Janet’s place.
It may be just a bunch of simple little memories, but Janet has always been consistent. And for a girl with a very inconsistent childhood, Janet is an angel.