We said our Final Goodbye's to Joan M. Paul yesterday morning at Saint John's Church in Arroyo Grande, California. Mourners from as far east as the Mississippi River to as far north as the upper geograghies of Wyoming, along with a large local population attended Joan's memorial service, a "Celebration of her Life."
Joan's family wishes to extend our sincere appreciation and gratitude for the support and care brought forward to our family before and since Joan's passing. The testimonials given to "mom" during the service were an affirmation to the inspirations she provided many of us. However, our mom is now at home.
We anticipate this website will remain active until December 31st, 2007. We are expecting to make a few additions here and there, mostly for our family members, but we welcome and invite Joan's friends to view. Joan's existing e-mail address will remain open and monitored for a moderate period of time before it is completely removed.
In closing, several mourners at yesterday's service asked upon me if they could have a copy of the service's opening eulogy. To oblige their requests, I have provided the text below:
Good Morning to my Family and Friends of Joan Marie Paul. . .known more importantly to me as my Mother! I’m Jeff, the oldest son. For those of you who’ve known my folks and heard them talk about their sons; kiddingly, I’ll tell you I’m not the pilot, I’m the other son!
I want to thank all of you for attending my mother’s memorial service. I knew a great deal of friends and family would be present today celebrating my mother’s life. She was a very special woman who touched and inspired many. But besides being a mother, a wife, a sister, a companion, a friend, she was a “GIVER.” She gave and gave and yet never expected someone else to give back in return. She repeatedly sacrificed herself to allow others to succeed. Her sacrifices were a gift that frequently went unnoticed and without the fanfare she deserved.
I’m biased, but I believe God’s template of a mom was my mom, Joan. Yet, my last two days with my mom before she left us and joined her first daughter Janice in the heavens of God’s Kingdom is what has become the memory enshrined upon me about my mom.
Two days before she departed, Pastor Randy joined my father and I in my parent’s bedroom where my mom was laboring in a deep sleep; her eyes firmly closed. Deep down, the three of us all knew she was close to passing on and we quietly discussed the inevitable transformation of her life and our own feelings of knowing my mom’s time was limited. Throughout our conversation, my mom’s breathing remained labored; so loud at times; we had to pause while she would exhale. At the end of conversation, Pastor Randy led my dad and I in a prayer followed by the Lord’s Prayer. At its conclusion, Pastor Randy finished saying “Amen.” My father and then I followed in a whispered “Amen.” Suddenly, we heard an audible “Amen.” It was my mom displaying her faith while providing her inspiration to all three of us. She immediately returned to her labored breathing, her eyes remaining closed. She was definitely on cue, listening to everything we were saying, but incapable of participating. But she made sure she finished the prayer with us.
The next day, the day before she left us, I kneeled at my mom’s bedside several times holding her failing hand. I whispered into her ears how much I appreciated her efforts and all of the gifts she had given me for 48 years of my life. Throughout the whole day, she had said nothing audible in my presence. Still, I couldn’t stop repeating myself telling her how much I loved her and didn’t want her to leave, but I understood.
“Mom, everything will be fine. Don’t worry we’ll take care of dad. You’ve given us so much. Its okay to go if you have too.” THEN,
I felt a sense of pressure in my right palm and fingers. My mom was squeezing and then she said, “Than you;” the “k” in “thank” innocuously missing. I couldn’t resist wanting more, I immediately responded squeezing lightly back and I saw a facial smile form on her face. I was almost ecstatic. I then stood and raised my left cheek slightly over my mom’s mouth and asked her to kiss me. I watched as I saw her lips shape into a circle. I then lowered my cheek and she kissed me for the last time. I will never forget the moment. But it reminded me of my mom’s passion for family and love. Again, she was giving and the moment summarized the gifts she’s provided to all of us who’ve known her. She always gave her love to her family. Nothing was more important then family. NOTHING! I’m certain she’s very happy at this very moment watching over all of us knowing we’re together celebrating her gifts of giving, of sacrifice and Love. I love you mom and I’ll never forget what you’ve given me. You’ve made All of us better for the time we’ve had with you. God Bless.
Joan's family wishes to extend our sincere appreciation and gratitude for the support and care brought forward to our family before and since Joan's passing. The testimonials given to "mom" during the service were an affirmation to the inspirations she provided many of us. However, our mom is now at home.
We anticipate this website will remain active until December 31st, 2007. We are expecting to make a few additions here and there, mostly for our family members, but we welcome and invite Joan's friends to view. Joan's existing e-mail address will remain open and monitored for a moderate period of time before it is completely removed.
In closing, several mourners at yesterday's service asked upon me if they could have a copy of the service's opening eulogy. To oblige their requests, I have provided the text below:
Good Morning to my Family and Friends of Joan Marie Paul. . .known more importantly to me as my Mother! I’m Jeff, the oldest son. For those of you who’ve known my folks and heard them talk about their sons; kiddingly, I’ll tell you I’m not the pilot, I’m the other son!
I want to thank all of you for attending my mother’s memorial service. I knew a great deal of friends and family would be present today celebrating my mother’s life. She was a very special woman who touched and inspired many. But besides being a mother, a wife, a sister, a companion, a friend, she was a “GIVER.” She gave and gave and yet never expected someone else to give back in return. She repeatedly sacrificed herself to allow others to succeed. Her sacrifices were a gift that frequently went unnoticed and without the fanfare she deserved.
I’m biased, but I believe God’s template of a mom was my mom, Joan. Yet, my last two days with my mom before she left us and joined her first daughter Janice in the heavens of God’s Kingdom is what has become the memory enshrined upon me about my mom.
Two days before she departed, Pastor Randy joined my father and I in my parent’s bedroom where my mom was laboring in a deep sleep; her eyes firmly closed. Deep down, the three of us all knew she was close to passing on and we quietly discussed the inevitable transformation of her life and our own feelings of knowing my mom’s time was limited. Throughout our conversation, my mom’s breathing remained labored; so loud at times; we had to pause while she would exhale. At the end of conversation, Pastor Randy led my dad and I in a prayer followed by the Lord’s Prayer. At its conclusion, Pastor Randy finished saying “Amen.” My father and then I followed in a whispered “Amen.” Suddenly, we heard an audible “Amen.” It was my mom displaying her faith while providing her inspiration to all three of us. She immediately returned to her labored breathing, her eyes remaining closed. She was definitely on cue, listening to everything we were saying, but incapable of participating. But she made sure she finished the prayer with us.
The next day, the day before she left us, I kneeled at my mom’s bedside several times holding her failing hand. I whispered into her ears how much I appreciated her efforts and all of the gifts she had given me for 48 years of my life. Throughout the whole day, she had said nothing audible in my presence. Still, I couldn’t stop repeating myself telling her how much I loved her and didn’t want her to leave, but I understood.
“Mom, everything will be fine. Don’t worry we’ll take care of dad. You’ve given us so much. Its okay to go if you have too.” THEN,
I felt a sense of pressure in my right palm and fingers. My mom was squeezing and then she said, “Than you;” the “k” in “thank” innocuously missing. I couldn’t resist wanting more, I immediately responded squeezing lightly back and I saw a facial smile form on her face. I was almost ecstatic. I then stood and raised my left cheek slightly over my mom’s mouth and asked her to kiss me. I watched as I saw her lips shape into a circle. I then lowered my cheek and she kissed me for the last time. I will never forget the moment. But it reminded me of my mom’s passion for family and love. Again, she was giving and the moment summarized the gifts she’s provided to all of us who’ve known her. She always gave her love to her family. Nothing was more important then family. NOTHING! I’m certain she’s very happy at this very moment watching over all of us knowing we’re together celebrating her gifts of giving, of sacrifice and Love. I love you mom and I’ll never forget what you’ve given me. You’ve made All of us better for the time we’ve had with you. God Bless.
1 comment:
I had a beautiful dream about your mom the other night. I don't really remember the details other than she looked beautiful and I could see a park like setting. It was sooo real. I woke with a start and shrugged; realizing she really was gone.
It was a beautiful service on Saturday and we were honored to be part of her life and yours. Our hearts are with all of you. marta, rudy and amy
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