Jannette Marie Brown - Marriage Celebrant and Justice of The Peace

25/12/2024

This is for me and you today

Christmas without your mother…

Means you are now she.
You are the one who creates ‘Christmas’.
You are the one who honours the traditions,
ensures that the joy is passed down,
as she would have liked.

But that is hard when you are hurting,
when you are just a little girl,
deep down,
who misses her mama.

So, be kind to that little girl
but go forth
and do what your mother taught you to do…
love.
Because one thing is for sure,
she taught you well.

Donna Ashworth

From Growing Brave

Art by Catrin Welz-Stein



Sharing this today for all the strong mamas out there who need reminding of their ‘whys’. You are loved and you are not alone, never alone x

14/12/2024

A fairly long read but a goodie
One day at a time my friend
One day at a time

On the 5th year of grieving…

These are the lessons that most helped me:

1. Scream in your car. It’s cathartic. Trust me. Give it a try.

2. Try not to compare your grief to others. Even if you lost the same person…it’s a different relationship.

3. Isolating is normal. Just remember to check in with the ones who check on you.

4. Ugly cries…like the ones that touch the depths of your soul are actually quite helpful. A release.

5. Express your feelings. Whether on paper, to a therapist, a trusted friend or using another creative outlet…get those emotions out so they don’t get stuck.

6. It doesn’t matter how long it’s been since you last heard their voice…the waves of grief can crash into you at any time. Any place..when reality hits again that they are really gone.

7. Let go of the guilt. We would all go back and do something differently if we could. You only had the information we had at that time with no way of knowing what was going to happen. You are only human.

8. Sometimes it helps to change traditions so it doesn’t hurt as much when they won’t be there..

9. But…Try to find a way to honor them at these events so they feel close to you.

10. Anxiety is normal. Because grief lets fear take over as you are now aware that terrible things can happen. It makes you feel out of control. Talk to your doctor if you feel it’s interfering with every day life.

11. Try a gratitude journal. I know this is the worst time to ask you to feel grateful but it helps. Just one thing a day. It could be that you didn’t burn dinner that night. But in time..it will get easier. That’s how you know you are moving through your darkest days.

12. Walk. Just getting out and getting fresh air and exercise can make a difference in your mental health. I love being out in nature to clear my mind.

13. Time doesn’t lessen grief. It’s what you do with that time. If you don’t grieve, emotions will have nowhere to go. You have to feel the pain of this loss. Lean into it even if it hurts. That’s how you move forward with it.

14. We are our own worst critics. Try giving yourself a no judgement zone. Grieving is frustrating. Especially when you have a particularly good day but end up a sobbing mess on the floor the next. Remember this journey is not linear. Try talking to yourself like you would if it was your best friend going through the same thing. BE your best friend because you are the only one who knows what this loss feels like.

15. Which brings me to self care. Give yourself love. And pep talks. And lots and lots of grace.

16. Grieving is a thousand conversations your mind has with your heart. Eventually your life (that you were given no choice but to live) grows around the pain. It’s a long road of getting used to this different world without your loved one in it. The pain will dull, wounds will heal, then the scab covering it sometimes gets ripped off again during special days. And so on. Which brings me back to #15. Give yourself grace.

Because I don’t have to tell you how hard this is. You know all too well. Just keep going. One minute at a time. One hour a time. Then one day. Just keep going.

10/12/2024

Why I will Never Get Over Losing You:

Our lives are intertwined. The inside jokes. Each memory. So many of you.
Of us.
Everywhere I look. There we are.

Like a carefully knitted sweater.
You and I.
So many hours of life spent…
Woven together.
The laughs. The heartbreaks. Love. Tears. Adventures.

Year after Year.

Overlapping. Our lives together.

Tightly.

Then you were gone in an instant.

But what we built together can’t all just unravel like that.

After all that time. We are held together with all we were.

You just don’t stop loving. You don’t split your life into before and after.

Because you are very much still here within me.

I will never forget such an irreplaceable part of my life.

Impossible.

All that time spent. Together.

The one who contributed to the laugh lines in my own smile. The one who is in all of my best memories. My wins were your wins. Yours were mine. You are in my most treasured photographs. In the tight hugs I still can feel somehow…

Somedays it may look frayed and tattered. Because losing you wore me down. So much.

But I hold tightly to what is still dear to me. Our memories together still in tact. Secured.
Woven through and through.
You and I.
Me and you.

For Always.

23/11/2024

I now see this is me!

For all who have loved and lost.💚

23/11/2024

Oh gosh grief is so hard!

A repost 🩷🪽🪽

17/11/2024

Yes it is long but oh so beautiful
I also love the utube reading of the same by Tom McLoughlin
Beautiful words

If Tomorrow Starts Without Me

When tomorrow starts without me,
And I'm not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
all filled with tears for me,

I wish so much you wouldn't cry
The way you did today,
While thinking of the many things,
We didn't get to say.

I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
and each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too.

But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name,
And took me by the hand,
and said my place was ready,
In heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.

But as I turned to walk away,
A tear fell from my eye
For all my life, I'd always thought,
I didn't want to die.

I had so much to live for,
So much left yet to do,
It seemed almost impossible,
That I was leaving you.

I thought of all the yesterdays
The good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared,
and all the fun we had

If I could re-live yesterday
Just even for a while,
I'd say good-bye and kiss you
And maybe see you smile.

But then I fully realized,
That this could never be,
For emptiness and memories,
would take the place of me.

And when I thought of worldly things,
I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did,
My heart was filled with sorrow.

But when I walked through heaven's gates,
I felt so much at home
When God looked down and smiled at me,
From His great golden throne.

He said, "This is eternity,
And all I've promised you."
Today your life on earth is past,
But here life starts anew

I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last,
And since each day's the same way
There's no longing for the past.

You have been so faithful,
So trusting and so true.
Though there were times
You did some things
You knew you shouldn't do.

But you have been forgiven
And now at last you're free.
So won't you come and take my hand
And share my life with me?

So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart,
For every time you think of me,
I'm right here, in your heart.

By David Romano

11/11/2024

Beautiful funeral casket flowers for a cyclist

11/11/2024

A wee photo from the archives of Brown Family
My sons and me with the late Steve Irwin at Australia Zoo

11/11/2024

Always lovely to receive kind words from family after a Funeral Service.

Hi Jannette
I just wanted to thank you for giving Jon's Eulogy of Wed 18th at Purewa Chapel and organizing with Andrew from Davis who was amazing too
It was a very sad time for all of us especially for me, but you managed to cover all the most important times of Jon's life and you really listened to what we were saying at the pre meeting
People came back to me and said , even though it was a funeral ,it was fantastic , I am sure Jon would have been impressed
thank you again you are one in a million
Warm wishes HL