Vivian Janß

I'm so sorry for what Vivi had to feel in the last months and hours of her life, and for sting of loss that all who love her now feel. As there are not words meaningful enough to ever convey how heartbroken I am for you, or powerful enough to relieve the pain, I will instead share a few little memories of moments I shared with Vivi.

Although I met Vivi when she was 4, I'd say I got to know her in the summers in Bollensen after the girls were born. We of course didn't share a language, but she did not let that deter her. We found our way with gestures broken bits of language, and even props, which inevitably made us burst out laughing.

One summer, when she visited us here, I took her to visit Leeds Castle, which had an aviary. As we arrived, Olivia had a full blown tantrum and everyone turned and stared at us. When Olivia finally drew a long breath, a bird mocked her crying sounds. I'll never forget the look Vivi and I exchanged before we, and all around us, erupted into laughter. Vivi and I then noticed the swelling sky and made a mad dash for the car. I passed her the girls one-by-one. She secured them into their seats, while I folded the buggy and popped things into the boot. We hopped in the car and, just as our doors slammed shut, the heavens opened with rainfall so heavy it was absurd. We laughed, and her laughter was so funny that I laughed more, and it all took on a life of its own.

It would have been easy for Vivi to ignore or dismiss me when she was little, but she never did. Instead she made a huge effort to get to know and communicate with me, which allowed me to see what a kind, empathetic, sweet girl she was. She was always at my feet, ready to help. It meant a great deal to me.

This lovely, laughing child will remain alive in my memories and in my heart.

Annalisa, Olivia and I regret terribly that we can not be with you next week. We look forward to seeing you this summer, to visiting Vivi's tree and to remembering her with you.

We are sending you all our love.

Leah

Liebe ,wundervolle Vivi,du wirst uns fehlen!
Dass Du weggegangen bist,hat uns mit Trauer und Schmerzen erfüllt Das Gedenken an Dich jedoch bleibt für immer in unseren Herzen. Wir werden Dich vermissen!

Stufen von Hermann Hesse
Wie jede Blüte welkt und jede Jugend
Dem Alter weicht, blüht jede Lebensstufe,
Blüht jede Weisheit auch und jede Tugend
Zu ihrer Zeit und darf nicht ewig dauern.
Es muß das Herz bei jedem Lebensrufe
Bereit zum Abschied sein und Neubeginne,
Um sich in Tapferkeit und ohne Trauern
In andre, neue Bindungen zu geben.
Und jedem Anfang wohnt ein Zauber inne,
Der uns beschützt und der uns hilft, zu leben.
Wir sollen heiter Raum um Raum durchschreiten,
An keinem wie an einer Heimat hängen,
Der Weltgeist will nicht fesseln uns und engen,
Er will uns Stuf‘ um Stufe heben, weiten.
Kaum sind wir heimisch einem Lebenskreise
Und traulich eingewohnt, so droht Erschlaffen,
Nur wer bereit zu Aufbruch ist und Reise,
Mag lähmender Gewöhnung sich entraffen.
Es wird vielleicht auch noch die Todesstunde
Uns neuen Räumen jung entgegen senden,
Des Lebens Ruf an uns wird niemals enden…
Wohlan denn, Herz, nimm Abschied und gesunde!

Liebe Vivi, ich möchte mich immer wieder an dich, an deine Hilfsbereitschaft, an dein geheimnisvolles, hübsches Gesicht erinnern. Ruhe in Frieden.