Hi Everyone.
The following are just a few things that 'our family' (anyone that we know)is thankful for:
for your presence with us through comments, prayers, thoughts on this blog. All of us are grieving Gail's loss and it has already become a means for ALL of us to process our loss. Someone told me years ago, that one of the best ways go through grief, is to talk about it with someone else. In other words, don't let it eat you up inside. Let others come around, share your need. Sometimes scary stuff. But needed. Never have I felt the need to share my (our needs) than now. Why? Because I cannot make it alone.
Just yesterday, a friend, Peter, came over. I needed to get out and realized that I had not really taken a walk. I immediately realized that this was the same path that Gail and were walking for about the last six weeks.
I had gone in for a physical and the Dr. told me as one of the remedies, to make ca contract with Gail and walk for 5 minutes daily. I asked him, 'Why only 5 minutes?' then he said, 'Because if I say 30 minutes, you won't do it.' So true. He said that it would be good for my marriage with Gail because we will talk while we walk'.
Gail was the ultimate anti-morning person. Dr. Charlie said to do it @ 6:00AM. I felt bad about waking Gail up, but each time, she never complained, got up and we walked and talked. I know she wants me to finish what we started and to take care of myself and Devon. Thanks Gail for getting up with me.
Yesterday, as I walked this trail for the first time without Gail, but with Peter, I realized that I, Devon we all are not alone. We do not have to walk through life's pain's and tragedies alone.
Peter is a thoughtful person...he simply walked and listened. He didn't give me any advice or tell me what to do. He just let me be. That is through the faith that we have in the real person of Jesus Christ. It is personal. The faith is just not words, nor slogans, but real stuff given to us through family like yourselves. In you and your offering, we have witnessed the Love of the God in the flesh. In the here-and-now. There is no denying it. Why? Because I cannot even imagaine any other way that our family can be so thankful even in the midst of something so sad as this.
More later.
Love,
Jon, Gail and Devon
Road Warriors @ LaDiDa HMB!
Together Times with Friends
Gail, cheering us on
Gail, your spirit continues to lift us!!!
Buddies
Aaron and Gail-Team-Teachers
New Life
Devon after being baptized
The Cuzins
Christmas 2008
Greg, Kimberly and Devon
Moving Together
Together Time
Gail and Devon @ Gold Beach, Ore. 06'
Gail & Kimberly
Gail was my friend, mom, sister, counselor - I will miss her more than I could ever put into words. I love you always, Gail!!! Kimberly
Gail
We love Gail!!!
9 comments:
i miss you uncle jon, wish we were all still up there with you guys. say hey to devon. me and justin miss him a lot, we kept saying that on the way home. hope you're taking care. & i guess my phone got disconnected this morning with you and grandma. but anyway, tell devon to call me whenever. love you guys. -Lo.(:
p.s. i drove home like half the way yesterday!
Today at church as, AFMC, Pastor Nancy asked us to come up and share our thoughts about Gail as He speaks to us. Those who shared said it all. I could only sit in silence, pray for peace for me and you.
When I came home and read the last blog I had to write and say:
This past year hss been a stressful and painful one for me. My brother Gary is suffering greatly, as is his wife and 2 boys. He is in desperate need of a heart/kidney transplant. He went in last year exactly at this time with only a "10 day heart". As he waited for his heart the doctors discovered a cancer spot in his esaphagus and scraped the transplant. He underwent radiation to kill the tumor and was burned so badly in his esaphagus that he needed morphine. They overdosed him on morphine, he fell, broke 5 ribs, got a compression fracture in his spine and the pain he suffered was so bad that he experienced even more heart failure. Now he is working on about 25% of his heart and his kidneys are failing. Through all this, he has been able to celebrate all the holidays with us since last June, go to 2 nehpews weddings, go to Las Vegas a couple times, and is a wonder to his doctors. He is not a Christian yet but I can see God working on him. During this time, my dad, 91yrs. had to be placed in a home, my mom, 89, lives alone with assistance and needs me because both my brothers are both suffering with heart ailments. My daughter, in October of 06 had a personal crisis in her life and I had to go live with her for 4 months.
This is my life as of today and yet at the end of the day, I still have everyone I love in my life, not well but still here and with hope. How crazy is that!
I read your blog again and I thank God for my life.
Pastor Nancy read a scripture that said God works in his way, in his understanding. How true.
God also gives us only as much as we can bear. I have been suffering a pain that I thought would never end and through Gails death, I see the light, the hope, his control. Praise God for his understanding. Praise God for Gail life, her phyical death. We will never really understand Gods ways but somehow God has shown me a little morsel and I am forever greatful for that.
I will hold Gail close in my thoughts, greatful for her, for all of you who must suffer more than I, today.
Love, JoAnn
Hay this is me Veronica Navarro from the Cougars. I just found out about Gail from my mom. I miss her already. I only knew her for a year but was loved by her and the team. I'm coming to the service tomorrow night. I wish Jon Devon and Kimberley the best of luck. I'll see y all tomorrow.
Hey Jon and Devon,
Today our whole church service was dedicated to Gail. It was a healing time for all of us to have a time to just share our feelings and how much Gail has impacted all of our lives. There are a lot of new people that have come to our church after you guys moved to Half Moon Bay who didn't know Gail, but they were moved by the sharing about Gail and many were crying.
I'm reading a book called "90 Minutes in Heaven", by Don Piper. He was a pastor who was pronounced dead at a car crash and for 90 minutes he lay there and he entered into heaven. He was brought back to life after 90 minutes and has a long story of recovery. But what helped me was to hear of his entering Heaven and seeing all the loved ones that had gone before him. He was so overwhelmed with the feeling of love and happiness. I could see Gary, Craig, and Paul welcoming Gail and how happy they were to be reunited. This pastor said the music he heard was nothing he could imagine, the praising of God and he often hears this wonderous music even now and yearns to be back in heaven. I can sense how Gail is singing and praising the Lord now.
Your faith and love for Gail touches my soul. I thank you for sharing so much of yourself and letting us be part of your pain and healing. You are so right, you guys will never be alone. You are surrounded by so many loving friends and family and I know in my heart the Lord will provide for you every step of the way.
I love you so much,
Sandy
Jon, you and Gail were two of the folks that I was calling when Penny was very ill. You helped me by letting me express myself and never gave me advice. It didn't matter who answered the phone, I was supported. I will always treasure those times.
Love ya bro', Kerry
Jon and Devon,
This morning I woke up and immediately began praying because I knew it would be a difficult day for all of us to face. After praying, I tuned into Channel 5 with Joel Osteen and the title of his sermon was, "Living a Life Worth Remembering." God had sent a message to me through this broadcast! Gail had the seeds of greatness on the inside. She also had a vision for her life and lived her life for God by touching so many others. In fact, Gail touched our lives in ways you will probably never know or comprehend ...and her presence will be greatly missed by all. It will never cease to amaze me the wonderful works she did and that are being done even though she is no longer with us. There is no doubt that Gail lived a life worth remembering.
Love you guys-
Nancy Kadota Wong
Jon you and Gail have been like parents to me, when I was growing up. I lost for words.
Gail thank you for being that motherly support that I did truly need in my teens. I will miss you.
Jon thanks for being my brother, father figure, mentor, even my boss, but most of all my friend.
My heart and prayers go out to you and Devon
Call me if you need anything.
Tony Hata
Hi Jon and Devon,
The reality of Gail's passing is difficult to process. It all happened so unexpectedly. We will miss her deeply.
We have been reading the comments on this blog from the beginning and have been profoundly impacted by it all. Thank you both for exposing the gut-wrenching depths of your souls for all to see. It is truly a privilege to be included in your grieving process.
The outpouring of love, tears and prayers for your family is evidence of your lives, well-lived for Christ. Gail's life continues to reflect God's love to others even in death. The myriad of testimonies demonstrating Gail's love and compassion for others inspire us to follow her example.
Regretfully, we will not be able to attend Gail's service in Southern California, but we join our hearts with others in love, tears, and prayers in support of your family. We also join with others in praise that Gail is now with our Heavenly Father forever.
love,
Perry, Faith, Aaron and Evan
Dear Jon and Devon,
What a wonderful testimony of Gail's faith and the faith of your entire family.
Devon, last night at the service in walked some neighbors of mine. I've never seen them at our church before. I asked if they new Gail and they said, no, but that Rob had done karate with you, Devon. They came and witnessed a great thing last night because of their connection with you. They had their young 2 year old daughter with them and had said that they weren't sure if they should have brought her to a memorial service. I said that if they ever wanted her to see what a true celebration of life and a heavenly home coming is like, then they brought her to the right place.
Don't worry, don't fret, we all are here for you to help in whatever way we can.
Love,
Gail C.
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