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JANE Jane was a friend of my sister whom I had a chance to get to know. She was a nurse who, along with another nurse, bought an affordable house outside Toronto that required a long commute to and from work. Her plan was to save money and then embark on an African Safari. She fulfilled that dream one summer and had the time of her life. Jane endured the inconvenience of the commute to work long enough to make a profit on her house, sell it and give up nursing. She eagerly took a job as a cook with a tour company that bused tourists on exciting African adventures and continued to live her passion. Jane had a lethal allergy to peanuts and had a terrifying life threatening episode when she accidentally came into contact with peanut oil while on safari, a story she told my sister about on a visit home. A sobering decision had to be made in light of the event: Live a safe, allergy controlled life in the suburbs of Toronto, close to family and friends, or go back alone and live amidst all the dangers inherent in the Africa she loved. Jane chose Africa. Less than one year later Jane died after unexpectedly being exposed again to a trace of peanuts. It was only as a result of the conversation she had with my sister that we understood Jane was fully aware of the very real threat to her life. Yet she still courageously chose to be fully alive in this wild African world so close to her heart, for as long as possible, eyes wide open and with no regrets.
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