Janet was at the Women’s March on Washington. That would seem impossible since she’s been dead a year, but nothing ever stood in her way.
Back in 1976 I bought her a necklace with a peanut hanging from it. Not a real peanut. It was made of brass or some inexpensive metal. We had our choice of plain peanut or one with a big toothy grin on it. We chose the plain. The toothy one could have been interpreted as disrespectful. Janet wore it quite a bit in the next four years in support of President Jimmy Carter. This was a show of courage since we lived in the heart of conservative Texas. She wasn’t afraid to let anyone know how she stood on the issues. She wore her peanut necklace with pride and smiled at the people whose mouths went agape when they saw what it was.
During the last year I have gone through her jewelry to distribute it. I thought of a friend who would appreciate it. She too isn’t afraid to express herself. When she opened the little box she immediately exclaimed, “It’s a Jimmy Carter peanut!” I had made the right choice. I knew for sure it was the right choice when she told me she was going to wear it when she went to Washington for the women’s march.
I asked my friend to have someone take her picture wearing the necklace, and she did. It was as though Janet were there. Even if cancer had not taken her, I don’t think she would have actually gone to the march. She didn’t like crowds and in the last few years her ability to walk long distances diminished. But she would have been encouraging the women every step of the way. Janet fought the establishment to have the job she wanted even though it was considered a “man’s” job.
This must be why I haven’t cried in the last year. She hasn’t really gone away.