Remembering Janet Booker
There are a only few times in life when a person comes into your life and they forever stand out.
We meet people by chance, or by being in the same place at the same time as another individual. Think about the number of people you pass each day and how you will never see them again.
The amount is countless and when common interests or other unknown walks of life put someone in front of you, rarely does a person leave an indelible mark on your life.
For me, one of those special people was Janet Booker.
We first met when I was a freshman at California University of Pa.
Often times, if I was on campus but on a break from class, I could be found at Herron Recreation and Fitness Center lifting with friends.
It was there I met a lady that, at that time, I had no clue she would play such an important role in my professional life while touching my personal life.
Janet worked at Herron and she always seemed to keep to herself.
Most other college students at that time never paid attention to who worked or tried to get to know them, but my buddies and I always spoke to Janet.
And when I say always, I mean literally every time. We got to know Janet and she would always greet us with a smile.
When we told her that I was about to start training to begin my professional wrestling career, she told me I was nuts while beaming ear-to-ear!
Anyone that ever met Janet would tell you that when she smiled, she beamed from ear-to-ear.
For the first few years of my career, Janet would always greet me on Mondays with a smile and one of her witty banters.
鈥淵ou better not get hurt,鈥� she would quip. 鈥淒id you win?鈥�
Janet took another job on campus and while we were happy for her, her absence left a void at Herron. Yet, she held a special place in our hearts.
It was eight years before my path would intertwine again with Janet鈥檚.
In the summer of 2010, I was coming off of a two-week stretch when I ruptured my bicep tendon, had surgery and lost my job which led me to decide to go to grad school.
I applied at Cal U to the Counselor Education department and had to take a copy of my transcripts to the grad school office.
I walked into Dixon Hall to get a copy at Academic Records and as Lisa Kilmer waited on me and I asked how to get them, a lady sitting at her desk in the back of the office heard my voice and her head popped up.
It was Janet.
Her eyes lit up and her smile, gosh that smile of hers could light up a dark room, her smile beamed from ear-to-ear.
鈥淒o you remember me?,鈥� she asked.
I only hope that the smile on my face mirrored hers as I was beyond excited to see her!
While there, Janet introduced me to Sherri Grimm, Bridgette Law, Bonnie Kunka, Lisa and their boss, Charles Talbert, among others.
The next thing you know, Janet had me in a meeting with Charles and he brought me on board to work at the office.
I worked there until I graduated in May 2012 and made so many friendships and professional connections because of Janet.
The office hired a dear friend of mine, Jamie Moss, based on my recommendation, and after I graduated, the staff hooked Jamie up with her now-husband Sean McGowan.
Amazing how a simple thing as a smile would build a bond for two people, yet introduce two more almost 20 years later, isn鈥檛 it?
On days off from work, I would occasionally bring my niece, Abbey Zuraw, to visit everyone at the office.
It had gotten to the point where instead of asking me how I was doing, they would all ask how Abbey was, and I wouldn鈥檛 want it any other way!
Abbey was diagnosed with Hodgkin鈥檚 Lymphoma in April 2015. When I told Janet and the others at the office, they would check in every so often to see how she was doing.
Except Janet, as she checked in almost weekly.
She explained to me that her husband Herk had battled cancer and I ran into them at the Brownsville Wal-Mart while Abbey was battling cancer.
It was a conversation that helped me so much and one that I will never forget.
Janet would remind me they wanted to see Abbey, and I was finally able to get to surprise the office this past August when Abbey and I stopped.
As we walked up to the front counter, I asked loud enough for Janet to hear me how I went about to get a copy of my transcripts. Just like eight years prior, her head popped up and both her eyes and smile lit up!
We spent about 20 minutes there, and Janet updated me on her health as she had recently battled cancer.
It would be the last time I would see Janet as she passed away Monday after a very brief battle with a second round with cancer.
I woke up Tuesday to a Facebook message from Sherri, and it led to me reflecting for two days on how much Janet helped shape my life personally and professionally.
I called my buddies from Herron to let them know, and each shared wonderful memories.
Our group includes five of us who have education degrees, an engineer and a chiropractor, among other varying degrees, and we all look back at our fond recollections from Herron, and Janet will forever be at the top of our lists.
Janet and I met by chance and with a simple smile.
Pretty amazing how a simple smile to a stranger can forever change a person鈥檚 life, isn鈥檛 it?