Janet Smith

If you are reading this, my crossover door appeared a little sooner than I planned. It is a beautiful wood door with stained glass and only I have a key to it, and I am the only one that can pass through it.

My door will lead to no pain or sickness, getting to wear more than just scrubs, snuggling into some very large golden angel wings among the fluffy white clouds, watching the sunrises and sunsets, doing jigsaw puzzles, getting to travel when and where I want for free, getting to see all the loved ones that I have missed so very much, loving on all the animals and of course the best part of all, the endless perfect coffee, cigarettes, bacon, frozen blended margaritas, and tacos. However, before I open my door to begin my next journey, I would like to share a few things with all of you.

For those of you who know me or may not know me let me share a little bit about my life that I leave behind before I open my door.

My name is Janet Lorraine (Pontius) Smith and I was born in Canon City, Colorado on Friday, January 9, 1959. To obtain my education I attended Four Mile school, Harrison Elementary, and Canon City High School. In 1975 at the age of sixteen, I worked at Skyline Nursing Retreat and Rehabilitation (my hands on education and training for my future). At that time there was no need to be state certified as a CNA, but I loved it and decided that was my calling. I would have graduated with the graduating class of 1977, instead, I fell in love, started my family early, and I gave birth to my first baby boy Edward and received my GED.

Growing up my grandparents ran a care home, and I helped care for the elderly and the disabled starting at a very young age. My family was mainly composed of caretakers or law enforcement, so it was in my cards to join the medical field. However, the Universe had other plans for me, and I put things on the backburner to get married in 1979. About a year later I gave birth to a little girl, Mysti in December 1980. Then, in July 1983 I gave birth to a little boy, Ransie. My husband at the time had a son, Jeremy from a previous marriage who was born in 1976 and though I did not give birth to him, I love him as if he were my own. I was a part time stay-at-home mom and, I worked at Quick Way and sold Tupperware, my heart was not filled. I missed taking care of patients, so I decided to go back to work full time at Hildebrand Home Health Care. I however got hurt and had to have back surgery. After healing I decided that private home health care would be my passion. I cared for many patients in their homes and some of their family members as well.

In July 1996 I decided that it was time I needed to get state certified for my CNA and I accomplished that at the top of my class. Like I had any doubts! That same year I also decided that I wanted one more baby to add to my army of children. I gave birth to a little girl, Sherri in May 1997. My true calling came on June 12,1997 when I joined Sangre De Cristo Hospice right after giving birth. It was the opportunity I had been waiting for. In 2012, I took the examination to become a Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant, another accomplishment I am extremely proud of. In 2013, I became QMAP certified. My entire 28-year career with Sangre De Cristo Hospice has been the best years of my life. Even after I had met the love of my life James Barrows who sadly passed away before we could get married, my children said I married my job at Hospice instead. They are correct, I completely devoted my life to Hospice after his passing. I have always lived my life to care for others. Fifty years total of CNA work, thirteen years CHPNA work and twenty-eight years of Hospice work, and I have loved every single minute of it.

Here comes that part where I wish I could list every single person by name through my life and how much they mean to me, but I do not have time because my door has the sun shining through brighter than ever so I must hurry.

So, grab a margarita and taco, or a coffee and candy bar and continue reading on.

Growing up my parents opened our home to many young individuals who needed or wanted to be part of our family. Family is not always blood, it is also the family you choose. That value carried on as my children grew and their friends became FAMILY. I have many of those kids that are still my "children" we never use the words half, step, adopted, or foster in this family. I became MOM to so many and hold them all dear. When we call you family, you are FAMILY, no arguments, end of discussion.

I am survived by:

My loving children, Ed (Jessica) Smith, Mysti (Dick) Seal, Ransie (Sara) Schimpf, Sherri Carr, Jeremy Smith, Dan Ellingson, Jimmy Ashton, Mandy (Eli) Olson, and Jaemi Meurs. I am so proud of all of you and love you all very much, do not forget that. Thank you for being you and giving me so much joy and a few pains in the rear-end at times. Our connection and bond are unbreakable, and a true testament to the fact family is created not only through blood but pure undying love. Take care of each other and you got this!

Some things to remember: Enjoy an Ed egg (because he makes the best eggs) with bacon and raisin toast even at nine o clock at night. Make sure that when drinking coffee, you hold it yourself because otherwise it gets dumped on you. When making pot pies, have a slice of bread or toast with butter and peanut butter on it but always remember the peanut butter goes on first, then the butter on top! Always keep smiling no matter what is happening in life. All your smiles are beautiful and if you cannot smile then use your middle finger to show your true feelings. Ask to have pancakes at eight in the morning but then when that happens tell them eight in the morning is too early and eat them at four in the evening. Get yourself a personal masseuse and barista, you will thank me later best thing ever! Do not be married to your job no matter how much you love it, take time to take care of yourselves as much as you can. Eat dessert first, that way there is always room for it. Travel as much as you can. Visit your siblings and hug them often. Hug your children tight and as often as you can no matter how old they are. Do not hold grudges and forgive sooner than later. Have lots of parties there is always something to celebrate. Enjoy making food, eating it and making lasting memories with each other. And the most important thing of all to remember is to stop picking on Jimmy so much just because he is my favorite child.

My amazing Grandchildren, Christopher Smith, Kodie Krueger-Wettstein (Dustin Troy), Trystan (Mackenzie) Seal, Ryddick Seal (Samantha Norris), Coltyn (Samantha) Seal, Yerick Seal (Allison Evans), Christian Smith, Mya Smith, Mackenzie Ellingson, Hallie Olson and baby Olsen on the way. The only thing greater than having kids, is having grandkids. I am so proud of all of you. Take the chances you are most afraid to take, they may be the best ones you ever take, you do not want to miss out on something amazing. Continue to enjoy dancing in the rain, drinking dirty coconut tea, putting together jigsaw puzzles, playing instruments, driving fast cars, getting degrees, traveling, and raising your babies.

My Great-Grandchildren who call me GG, Emberlynn Seal, Emeric Seal, and Harlee Seal. I am a little partial, but the three of you are the cutest in the family. The three of you make my heart full. I am so grateful to have been a part of your lives, even if it was a short time. I did not realize how much love a heart could hold until your parents placed you in my arms. You have filled a space in my heart that I didn't know was empty. Look for me in bubbles and rainbows.

My beautiful Sister Wife, Tina Adams. Stoney will get lots of hugs until we can hug you again. We will be watching from above and will save a dance for you. Thank you for loving me. I will have a set of beautiful golden wings reserved for you. Give Corey a hug from me and a kick in the rear a time or two.

My buddy Cyrus Youngs (CJ). Thank you for always making me smile and laugh. Please always keep that sense of humor and wear the leopard print with pride. Continue to be fabulous and live life to the fullest. Thank you for capturing my thoughts in a photograph that everyone can hold dear to them in knowing my true feelings on cancer.

The Gangel family, I cherish and love the connection we share. I am so very thankful that you are a part of my life and memories. The love and appreciation I have in my heart for all of you will forever link us together. I am looking forward to seeing your dad and holding his hand to go on a walk or sweep the clouds for hours. Hug each other tight for me. Thank you for checking in on the kids for me and supporting them through all this and beyond.

My Siblings, Ron (Betty) Wetters, Brenda Wetters, Lynn (Angela) Wetters, Judi Paxton, Steve (Darlene) Pontius, Mark Pontius, Darrel (Helen) Pontius, Pamela Foraker, Cindy (Rick) McFarland, Kim (Sara) Romien. Thank you for always caring for me, protecting me and loving me for me. Mom, Jerry, Don, and I will be waiting amongst the clouds. Thank you for all the memories and being such amazing siblings. I loved our visits, reunions and traveling together, all the adventures we took willingly or sometimes unwillingly. We have shared so many good and bad times, but the good I feel have drastically outweighed the bad. Over the years and especially the last few months I cannot thank you enough for treating my kids like your own, calling, texting, coming to visit every day, bringing me coffee, root beer, black walnut ice cream, sitting with me to visit and reminisce about being young, laughing, crying, watching me sleep, holding my hand or helping me put the lid back on my margarita after I drank too much. You don't know how much those little things became the biggest things to me. The best part of seeing all of you is the hugs. Keep hugging. I love you all so very much! I am holding you all very close to my heart forever and always. I will always be holding your hands.

My loving abundance of nieces, nephews, and great nieces/nephews. I have so many great memories with you. The letters, pictures, texts, visits and hugs from you always put a smile on my face. You are all doing great and amazing things in life, do not let anything or anyone hold you back in life. I am proud of all of you. Life is short, take chances and live on the edge. Make every day count.

Closest Cousins, Jeremy Bendt, Dylan and Danyka, and Kim Martin. I love you and please remember the times we shared and the memories we made. Thank you for always being there and always willing to help, love and support me and the family. I will be watching over you always. Dylan keep fighting and have a great football season. Danyka, I am so proud of you and the direction you are headed with nursing I will be right alongside you guiding you the whole way through.

Childhood best friend for life, Lorna Schmidt, most of my favorite memories in life I have with you. I will leave the light on without the hankie on it this time. I hope you can still feel my love and presence. I will be waiting to climb a tree with you when you get here. No wings required. Hug the girls and keep them close always. I will be visiting often to check in on all of you. Every time you play a music box please think of me.

Best friends, Joyce and David Foster, I am so glad you both have been a blessing in my life. Howie and I will be waiting with fishing poles and chairs by the lake. The fish I am told are huge and always biting, so we will have full bellies and full hearts. Take us with you on all the outdoor outings you have planned. Thank you for taking Kitten. I know she will be loved and spoiled endlessly.

My right-hand, left-hand, always has my back no matter what best friend, Kriss Doxtater. Chance made us colleagues. Fun, laughter, tears, and sarcasm made us best friends. You and I will have so many picnics to catch up on, just be sure to bring the Ozark Dogs. You and Kimmi carry me with you until the end. Kimmi, please hug your mama for me every chance you get. Thank you for loving me for me. Thank you for hugging the kids and caring for them through this battle and being there for them no matter what.

My dear friends, Annie Witz, and Diane Anderson, I am so glad we found our way back to each other again. Forgiveness is key, even if it is years later. I will be waiting for both of you so we can kick back and relax. I'm sure we get endless massages by cute Cabana Boys to take away all our aches and pains.

My whatever, whenever, don't worry I have bail money friend, Kathy Babb. Thank you for being here every day for me, the kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. Always ready to jump in and help with anything and everything. You are an angel on Earth to us. At least we made it through all this without needing that bail money. Thank you for being with me and the kids when I took my final breath. I love you, my friend. "Take a whack at Ouiser"! Just remember to Duck!! Hug the kids for me as much as you can and do not let the boys pick on you too much and if they do you have my permission to kick their butts.

My beyond words, outstanding, protective, loving neighbors, Chuck and Tori Kline. Thank you for being there for me time and time again and for also helping my children through all the mess life has thrown our way. You are a sounding board, words of wisdom and compassion for all of us. They know you have their backs! You both have gone above and beyond for me and for them and we all do not know what we would do without the two of you. You are their family now. Hug the kids tight for me, they are going to need you the rest of their lives. Light sparklers in honor of me each year and keep fishing for salmon it was delicious! I will be watching and visiting often because I am now a hummingbird in flight. I love you both so very much.

My Hospice family... AKA My spouse!

Oh, how I am going to miss all of you! Words cannot describe the feelings I have for each one of you other than I have been blessed beyond measure. I truly could not have made it through this life without all of you. Just remember girls, all else fails, remember WWJD? (What Would Janet Do?) And if that does not work CALL JONI or JORDYN, they will have all the answers I am sure of it. Be sure to go have margaritas in my honor at least once a year, and of course some snacks and candy too. Love your job but also take time to take care of yourselves, to take care of your patients.

To my patients and their families, please know I love you all. I cherish being able to care for you in your time of need. You are still in great hands with Sangre De Cristo (I have trained them all well HAHA).

I was preceded in death by my parents, Harold Pontius, Valeria (Ransie) Wingo; best friend, Sherry (Canchola) Hobbs; Brothers, Jerry Pontius, and Donald Wetters; my love, James Barrows and my Son, Nykkolas King.

In lieu of flowers I ask that you take a moment to hug your parents, siblings, spouse, children, grand-children, great-grandchildren, friends, and even your enemies, yes, them too because they also need a hug or two. Take time and care for yourself. Take a walk, have a picnic in the park or go fishing. Love those who love you. Show up for those who may not even show up for you but do it because that is who you are. Time waits for no one.

Donations can be made to Sangre De Cristo Community Care and Orchard of Hope Foundation.

I have now turned right, and the light is shining through my crossover stained-glass door. I hope you miss me, but not too much. Please carry on with your lives and know I am with you all every step of the way. And as always...

See you later, Love You, Bye!

NOW SHE FLIES WITH HUMMINGBIRDS