Hi Everyone,
It's almost been a year and I can't believe it. It is going to be a year this Saturday June, 7th. This year has been really hard but God has gotten us thorugh this year so far. But it is still hard. I request that everyone who reads this post up thier feelings up on the blog on what they are feeling about my Mom's one year anneveriary of when she passed on the blong and one thing you remember about her. I would like to hear from as many people as possible. Please continue to pray as we are preparing our hearts and our souls for this saturday the one year anneversiary, and that we would remember how she lived and not how she died. I am really thankful to have had and still have a Mom who loves me and cares about me so much. I am saddned that she is gone but it's God's will that she is in heaven. She is no longer suffering and that is the main thing. She is and was the best Mom I could ever have and will have. I do not know how to say in words how thankful I am to her for the things she did for me to make me the person I am today. I will pray for each person, friend, and family member that knew my Mom, that God will bring comfort to you all as this Saturday approches. She would of course want us to mourn her. But why don't we countinue to live her legacy and shine her light. Let us keep her legacy alive and keep that light that she turned on keep shining thorughout our lives. I hope one day I could see God and my Mom face to face and be with my Mom again and to just be in a loving embrace. She will always be in our hearts in the past, present, and future. Thanks.
Sincerly,
Devon and Jon Yoshimine
14 comments:
What I most remember about your mom is her firm yet gentle and patient spirit. I remember growing up she and your dad were a real influence in my life. I owe them a lot. Thanks for this opportunity to share.
I remember often having fun just by hanging out together as a group. I also remember her deep friendship with Garrett Omata (Devon - Garrett was Eric Azama's maternal uncle), and how Garrett's passing affected her. I also remember her spirit...how she would hang in there and fight to the end on things that really mattered. I'll see you guys soon!
I have a lot of memories about Gail and treasure them all. I remember Gail confert me when im sad. I remember Gail supporting me about my interests and my weight loss. I remember all the laughter and the times I spend time with her. But the memory I treasure the most was you guys and Gail celebrating chaerita with us. That day ment a lot to me and I am glad that you guys and Gail was part of it.
Well, I will see you guys later and I will be thinking of you and Gail this weekend.
Michelle
when I think ab out your mom, I think about her always smiling. She always had this beautiful sparkly smile, always. Just lovely. Lots of love to you both and my God heaps loads of love and protection on and around you both.
From Mary Lou Williams:
Dear Jon and Dev,
I know how much you miss Gail. When she died, it really rocked my foundation. How could such a beautiful, patient, loving, caring, community building person be taken by God in a second? I don’t have an answer for that. I also know that Gail was totally human, and should not be deified, for that is a disservice. Because-she was also tough as nails, and spoke the truth, whether you wanted to hear it or not. She had the capacity for limits and boundaries, when appropriate, and unconditional love at the same time. A very unique combination. If you asked Gail a question, you got a straight answer. If you needed support, she was a cushion on which to lean- a soft and forgiving cushion. Gail expected truth, honesty, and reality, along with her spirituality- and expected the same from those around her. We spent many memorable moments together-especially on the “sunset deck”, and I will cherish the necklace she gave me for the rest of my life. Plus- I miss our seafood dinners out- she learned how to “schmooze” at those fundraisers. Thanks guys for hating seafood! I miss her everyday, but she left me with a legacy that is invaluable. When I am faced with an ethical or moral decision, I have to luxury to stop and think what Gail might have done. And thus come the questions: Is it right? Is it just? How best to address the issue? And when answering it head on, like I often do, there comes the Gail question: Is it kind? And therein lies the essence of Gail- tough, loving, fun, straightforward, and kind. May you remember her legacy. With much love, Mary Lou
Mary Lou Williams
Big Wave is announcing this Sunday that Gail is our Spiritual Leader.
Jeff Peck
Hi Devon,
Wow, a year goes fast... but slow. I'll always miss your mom, too. She meant a lot to me, from the time I was an insecure junior higher to some of the most important moments of my life. She was first a youth leader to me, then a friend, then a fellow new mom, then a sister for life.
There are so many memories...
One time she was trying to tell a funny story involving your dad and a whoopee cushion. She was laughing so hard she couldn't get the story out, but we all laughed anyway. Not sure we ever really got the point.
We had our baby boys four months apart. We spent a lot of time discussing nursing, diapers, feeding, and wondering what to do with these new creatures. I always wondered how she could be so calm and never seem as stressed as I felt.
When Garrett died, (Unka "G" as he liked to be known as by the "little people"), my whole family turned to your mom for answers. She was honest enough to say that she didn't have them all, but she did it with such love and compassion. She was grieving as much, if not more than we were, but she didn't break under the pressure we must have put on her. She just loved us with abundant grace. Both she and your dad were rocks. I'm glad Garrett and Gail are together now and she knows all the answers. (But like I told your dad last year, I hope she thunked him on the head, first!)
Devon, I wish you peace above all. I wish we could have all the answers now, but we have to be patient. While you're waiting, bask in the Lord's presence and comfort. I'll be thinking about you guys this weekend.
Love, Cathy Azama
Devon,
To try and sum up everything that your Mom means to me in one memory is impossible. Your Mom is the most amazing woman I've ever met. I've never met anyone with her depth of compassion and ability to love. God blessed her with many talents and she didn't let any of them go to waste. When she was my Junior High and High School leader at Anaheim, she always had an amazing ability to talk to each one of us and met us and our needs where we were. She didn't judge or criticize, but loved each and everyone of us and always guided us with her gentle, but strong spirit. Her patience was endless and her smiles always ready. When each of us was at our lowest and most insecure, she was ready to build us up. She also a great sense of humor and fun and she let her exuberance for life radiate from her. I am so thankful that she was and is a part of my life.
With love,
Cindy Kodama Lowman
I miss Gail so much, I find many times when I would like to call her, she always had words of wisdom supported by love and affection for everyone. I miss seeing her at Special Olympics basketball games with her clip board and her wonderful smile greeting us all.
When I sum up Gail's life in my mind, I think of how amazing she was at accepting everyone for who they were and gently encouranging them to be a better person without them really even realizing it.
Devon, you are an amazing young man. Your Mom was always proud of you and I know that she is watching over you now and is just as proud of you.
Jon, you know better than any of us what a truly wonderful woman Gail was. If each of us could live our lives by her example, the world would be a much better place.
God bless you both.
Love,
Terri Carol
I can't believe it's been a year since Gail passed. It was such shocking news for me, and because I hadn't kept in touch for years, it seemed so surreal. I imagine that this is an extremely tough time for you, Jon and Devon. But it is also apparent that the Lord has had His hand upon you; He is using you to inspire and stengthen others who grieve.
I will always remember Gail as a very wise and discerning person. She was someone you could count on to help make things clear when everything seemed fuzzy. She was so steadfast and strong, so kind and gentle. I wish I had known her better. She is, undoubtably, doing a great work in heaven, serving our Lord and praying on behalf of the rest of us left behind. She is a warrior and conqueror.
You all are in my prayers and my heart.
-Allyson Way
Hey my honey and my sweetness, 1 year that's a long time. So many things can happen in one year and you two especially have had a year of tears,sorrow, more tears, joy, accomplishments, and blessings too. Thank you for sharing so much of those times. Gail's spirit is so strong as it was when she was on earth with us. She sought the Lord in everything because there were so many things, and people she gave her heart to. Most of all to you two. I love you three so much. I learned so much from Gail, although I don't ever think I can love as much as she could and care so genuinely about so many people and see the best and the potential of each person. But I know she continues to do that by our Father's side. How much better is that when she is caring for you and seeing what is happening and the reasons too, So many Ahaa's! I pray that God is going to share some of those Ahaa's with us too. Our Sunday school lesson this month is on Moses. Wow the extent of God's mighty plan for this one person is awesome and to think that He has an awesome plan for each of us. When God told Moses to go to the Pharoah and tell him to let all his people leave slavery and Egypt. Moses needed help believing and God gave him help. He showed Moses his power. Yes we can not do it, but with God all things are possible. I love you guys. Praying for you
love Juli
Devon
I feel your pain I knew how much your mom meant to you and everything. The one memory that sticks out for me is when Gail along with the others from the So team were cheering for us at the finals last year. Like Alie I can not believe it's been a year since she passed
cyber hugs
AZ
PS are y going to big wave info today. I am getting a sports court in my backyard when it is done want to come play
Jon and Dev,
It's been a rough year being without Gail, but you both have leaned into your pain and sorrow and let God be part of all of it. It's a journey that has transformed you and you've both have shared so much of your hearts with us and helped all of us to appreciate life and to turn to God in our sorrow. Gail lived her life every day for the Lord and she made both of you her #1 priority and still was able to reach out to anyone in need. She loved to have good talks and to share deeply with other's. This is her legacy left in you. Keep sharing your hearts and touching everyone around you. We love you both so much.
Brian, Sandy, and Michael
hapy fathers day Jon
AZ
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