Many people have expressed to us how grateful they are in this trying situation.
If you would like to share something that you are grateful/thankful for...please post. Please share anything that you have found encouraging and/or comforting. The community would love to hear from you.
Love,
Jon and Devon
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I would like to thank everyone who came to Gail's memorial service last night; you helped mix joy with the sorrow of losing her. Thank you to those who brought food (and to those who ate it!), who helped get things in place, who helped store things away. Thank you for the warm conversation and remembering Gail together. Thank you to those who had to brave coming to a place you weren't familiar with to share a love for Gail, Devon and Jon
Karen Holmes
I am blessed to be such a part of a loving community. For some reason, through the worst of times and through the best of times, we all pull together. Last night was a time of both... but both unexplainable. However; the time that I spent in silence, in tears and in laughter, was time spent in the love of Mariner's and in the arms of Jon and Devon embraced in Gail's wings. I felt so incredibly helpfull when I was "busy" in the fellowship hall with the food. I was not yet ready to "enter the other side". Even though words were not spoken, you don't realize how much body language is valued when in need. Lisa, thankyou for the tissue: the box (empty) is on my treasure shelf. Karen, thankyou for accepting me with warmth and appreciation and love...Deb, the conversations that we had were endless and I look forward to many more. I feel honored and cherished to be able to give, receive, understand and strengthen... some of which I figured out last night. Although, I just met some of you, at the end of my evening (almost midnight), I felt exhausted, but yet full of adrenaline and a joy. As Karen stated; my thanks as well to those there who graced Gail with their love and who Gail graced with hers.
Wow, what a night. It was so very evident that Gail has touched so many lives in her time here on earth. The room was too small to hold everyone, but yet you couldn't keep them from stuffing themselves in, either. And I'm pretty sure that Paul and Craig were praying that the Fire Marshall was nowhere near the building last night.
I couldn't see the slideshow, but as I was listening and feeling the love in the room, U2's "One" started playing, and that always taps into the depths of my soul.
I've been taking some time to try and explain all of this to Jack, my 2 and a half year old son. I .ask him,"Jack, where's Gail?" He answers me with, "Gail's gone." So I then ask him, "gone where?" And with a smile he says, "gone with Jesus!" Then he immediately asks God to please help Jon and Devon
Except now when anyone leaves, he pretty much thinks that they too are going to see Jesus....but I'm working on that.
So I'm just thankful that my family and I could be a part of the service for Gail last night. I'm also thankful that through this, my son is witnessing what it really means to make a difference in people's lives.
Thank you J-Yo. Thank you D. And thank you very much Gail!
In the embrace of our Saviors arms
Well Gail my friend you have made it,
You have crossed over the highest plane
To a place where there will be no more suffering,
No tears, no sorrow, and no more pain.
A place where you have now been set free,
From this world and all of its harms.
In the presence of our Heavenly Father,
And the embrace of our sweet Savior’s arms.
And we can find comfort in knowing,
That by your life you had made the right choice.
To turn from sin and turn to Him,
And to listen and follow his voice.
But for those of us that you’ve left behind,
Losing you is gonna be tough.
So we must lean on our Lord who is our shepherd,
His power and grace shall be sufficient enough.
And we must gather around each other in love,
To get through those long lonely days.
When it seems the hardest thing for us to do,
is give our God his duly praise.
And we shall find the strength that comes from Him,
So that we can all go on living.
Following the example that Gail set for us,
Which we saw in her selfless giving.
Jon and Devon, Proverbs 17:17 tells me
Just what it is you need from me.
A friend who loves you both at all times,
And a brother who is born to share adversity.
I love you bros!
I'm grateful to have you guys as friends.
I am grateful for the Body of Christ. Being that we are so far away in Washington it has been wonderful to have this Blog to stay connected. As I have read all of the messages from family and friends it has struck me that I am seeing the Body of Christ in action. And it is a beautiful thing. It makes me miss my Mariners family. And yet we are all family in Christ.
I have also been inspired by Gail. To see how 1 life had/has so much value and purpose. So many lives were touched by Gail. She is an example of how we should all be living.
I keep thinking of the scripture that says "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Phil 1:21 Amen!
I will continue to pray for you Jon and Devon. Our church up here is praying too.
Love,
Amy Gunn
What a beautiful, uplifting service that captured Gail's abundant love, honesty, spirituality, humor, and unconditional love for all whom
she met.
Gail had a way of making everyone she met feel special- like she was speaking from her heart only to you-and we all listened. That was evident from all who spoke at her service.
Whenever I was in Gail's presence, I felt her warmth, love, and acceptance, and she made me a better person because of it. There is no one who can replace her in my heart.
And speaking of that, Gail was in my heart- heavily at first- but when Karen assigned me flowers, she gave me a mission to honor Gail, and I thank her for that.
I hemmed, and hawed- I wanted inspiration. I needed to do something that reflected Gail- joyful, enthusiastic, vibrant, and simple. Nothing came. And then it hit me- I have never seen Jon in a suit- just his usual Hawaiian shirts. That did it. I had my inspiration.
As I worked, I reflected on the wedding the two of them did last year- whoever you are, I hear you had great flowers! Gail called, and asked for my help. They got more than they bargained for!
We spent maybe four hours together, and even though Jon knows a lot about flowers, he doesn't know much about weddings.
Picture this- me making Jon learn how to wire roses for corsages! He said Gail could do that, and I told him WRONG! He learned how to make corsages! I packed 15 years of experience into four hours, and Jon said the results were great.At least I had one gift I could give them- because they both have given me so much more, and made my life richer.
I can't go into the camping trips of 8 years for C-Pals, because that would take a book.
As far as I am concerned, I have an additional story to tell that says Gail is alive, and living, and in my heart.
I got a lot of dead flowers locally, thinking I could take the easy way out here. It didn't work, and I realized I'd better get my SF Flower Market Badge renewed, after some really disappointing results on Sunday. Things flopped.
So I bit the bullet, and became a pro one more time. Thanks, Gail.
On the way home, I thought I would stop by Lynda Steele's house (Exec. Director of CAR and on the Board of C-Pals, another cause to which Gail had committed her life), because Jorge had just finished her flagstone walkway.Her garage door was partially open, and the blinds were open- totally unusal, unless she was sick. I have no idea why I stopped- except I think Gail told me to. Lynda opened the door in total amazement, saying she was despairing because her car just got towed to the garage, she couldn't get to work, and she had no way to get to Gail's Memorial Service. I said "Not to worry" and drove her to my house, loaned her the Toyota car(so I can save gas and milage on the expensive wheelchair accessible van) and off she went. She desperately wanted to attend a meeting at SM County, representing C-Pals, about services for disabled kids, and because of the car, she not only represented us at the meeting, but also got to Gail's memorial, and was totally blown away at the love this person engendered in all of us.
Thank you God, for sharing Gail's life with us. We will miss her more than you can possibly imagine, but know that Jon and Dev will be OK because of all of you.
I love you all- Mary Lou
Hi Jon and Devon,
It was great seeing you two last night. Eventually the tears will dry, but the memories, happiness, and love that Gail inspired in all of us will never fade. I feel so lucky to have witnessed and received these gifts from Gail. Honestly, she is the kind of woman I hope to grow into. The grace and humor that you and Devon have been handling your loss with are also very inspiring. With Much Love,
Roxie
P.S. My email is roxieformoe@gmail.com
I feel so fortunate to have attended Gail's service. It was the most uplifting "funeral" service I have EVER attended. It was not only a celebration of Gail's God-filled life but a total celebration of Christ! What a blessing to be a part of such a beautiful worship time! Jon and Devon - you were so at ease and so composed. From all the people that shared, especially the kids that Gail will live on in our lives and have made us better people by knowing her. Alice P.S. My cell phone was at home!
There are many thoughts and emotions that run through our minds at a time like this; so many of them described so beautifully by family and friends on this site. We would like to extend our sympathy to the family, but we would also like to let them know how lucky we feel for knowing them. Last night we were talking about Gail and Nancy thought that Gail might have been the kindest and gentlest person she knew. Paul wasn’t sure about this. He thought Gail had some competition in that regard from her brothers Mike and Craig, her sister Katie, and her parents Gary and Merry. Paul adds that he’s not sure that these were even the best qualities of the Toguchi family. Paul adds love, generosity, humor, and the strength of their spirit. All of these qualities seem to be in short supply in a world that seems to be increasingly angry, but those of us touched by this family seem to be exempt from this because of the example they set. In time, the pain of losing Gail will diminish and will be replaced by the memories of Gail’s kindness, humor, and the strength, style and quality of her character.
Paul and Nancy Sanders
Jon and Devon,
I am amazed and touched by your ability to be witnesses through your loss and grief. Your loving spirts, and concern for others, shines brightly even though I know you are deeply sad and missing Gail. This blog has been a blessing to to me and I am sure so many others.
I met Gail when she was an Associate Paster at AFMC. We were not close but she touched me everytime she shared a story or gave a message. She shined with the light of Jesus and you could feel his presence through her. Through her gentle spirit she could put you at ease. Just a simple passing (hello, how are you?) was never a shallow greeting, but a loving, caring greeting. I will never forget her eyes and how they "shined". When I think of Gail I think of love, she had transparent and genuine love for others. I have been blessed to have meet Gail.
Jon, Devon
Sending you my love and prayers.
Sherrie Mori
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