October 8th, 2009. The day i lost my wife and my kids lost their mother. I'll never be able to see that date again and not feel the pain that we experienced today. At 150 am, Marilyn ended her ALS struggle and went home where she is using her new body, one that walks and runs, skips and jumps, and waits in anticipation of her reunion with her family.
You need to know she continued the fight until the end. She told everyone she would. She fought for another day to spend with her family, not because she feared the future, she new her future was bright. She got a glimpse and we saw it as she passed as she looked up toward heaven. But that did not stop the mortality from trying to hang on to itself and cling to what is known over the future. She fought the good fight. She finished the race.
I have to tell you that i have not been able to see God in this situation. This cruel joke played on this family 10 times. Except it is no joke. Until last night. Lauren was not supposed to be here tonight. She was. Marilyn's closest friends were not supposed to be her tonight. They were. We were blessed with an angel from Hospice who loved my wife til the end. Marilyn passed surrounded by her kids and husband, her best friends and an angel from hospice. God was here in that.
When i got home this am from making some arrangements, i opened my door to find 80 shoes littering my entryway. In the living room and kitchen were the 40 or so owners of the shoes who had surrounded my son to comfort him as he grieved the loss of his mom. Marilyn would have loved that. Just as her army has surrounded us through this, another regiment was taking care of Brian.
I want to thank you for letting me share this journey with you. Another movie, the Green Mile, helps to explain what this blog has meant to me. In this movie, an inmate convicted of a murder of two young girls that he did not commit, is able to see and experience all the evil in the world. He is burdened so much by what he can see it hurts. At one point he grabs one of the guards who happens to be tom hanks and shares the experience of what he can see with hanks. It is the terrible experience of seeing these two young innocent girls being taken. He grabs hanks hands and shares what he sees. After it is done, he said, It was too painful boss, i had to share it. That is what i had to do here. It was too painful i had to share it. Thanks for letting me do that. Thanks for sharing in the pain.
Marilyn will have viewing at Hawthorne Funeral Home Sat 10-4 and Sun 12-4. For directions, follow this link. http://www.hawthornefuneralhm.com/index.cfm or from I-5 take exit 227 (college Way) go eastbound one mile to 18th Street. Hawthorne Funeral Home is on the left just east of 18th St.
Marilyn's Memorial service will be held Monday October 12th at 3pm at the Mount Vernon Christ the King Community Church. Service will be closed casket with viewing at the closing of the ceremony. For directions - From I-5 take College Way and go East. Turn North onto Riverside Drive. Our Building is on the left before you get to the bridge. 2111 Riverside Drive
May Marilyn Rest in Peace.
You need to know she continued the fight until the end. She told everyone she would. She fought for another day to spend with her family, not because she feared the future, she new her future was bright. She got a glimpse and we saw it as she passed as she looked up toward heaven. But that did not stop the mortality from trying to hang on to itself and cling to what is known over the future. She fought the good fight. She finished the race.
I have to tell you that i have not been able to see God in this situation. This cruel joke played on this family 10 times. Except it is no joke. Until last night. Lauren was not supposed to be here tonight. She was. Marilyn's closest friends were not supposed to be her tonight. They were. We were blessed with an angel from Hospice who loved my wife til the end. Marilyn passed surrounded by her kids and husband, her best friends and an angel from hospice. God was here in that.
When i got home this am from making some arrangements, i opened my door to find 80 shoes littering my entryway. In the living room and kitchen were the 40 or so owners of the shoes who had surrounded my son to comfort him as he grieved the loss of his mom. Marilyn would have loved that. Just as her army has surrounded us through this, another regiment was taking care of Brian.
I want to thank you for letting me share this journey with you. Another movie, the Green Mile, helps to explain what this blog has meant to me. In this movie, an inmate convicted of a murder of two young girls that he did not commit, is able to see and experience all the evil in the world. He is burdened so much by what he can see it hurts. At one point he grabs one of the guards who happens to be tom hanks and shares the experience of what he can see with hanks. It is the terrible experience of seeing these two young innocent girls being taken. He grabs hanks hands and shares what he sees. After it is done, he said, It was too painful boss, i had to share it. That is what i had to do here. It was too painful i had to share it. Thanks for letting me do that. Thanks for sharing in the pain.
Marilyn will have viewing at Hawthorne Funeral Home Sat 10-4 and Sun 12-4. For directions, follow this link. http://www.hawthornefuneralhm.com/index.cfm or from I-5 take exit 227 (college Way) go eastbound one mile to 18th Street. Hawthorne Funeral Home is on the left just east of 18th St.
Marilyn's Memorial service will be held Monday October 12th at 3pm at the Mount Vernon Christ the King Community Church. Service will be closed casket with viewing at the closing of the ceremony. For directions - From I-5 take College Way and go East. Turn North onto Riverside Drive. Our Building is on the left before you get to the bridge. 2111 Riverside Drive
May Marilyn Rest in Peace.
Jeff, Lauren, Brian and family,
ReplyDeleteWe are so sad. I don't know how you have been able to put into words all the emotion and feelings swirling in your body. But... you have and you stated it so well that the pain you felt radiated into all of us and let you speak for so many of us that couldn't put our feelings to words. Your willingness to share and be so vulnerable allowed the rest of us to be in that intimate place in Marilyn's life. Your family has affected so many lives in the "short" time Marilyn was with us. The trickle down effect of her love, faith, passion, honesty, nursing and nurturing will be with us all forever. Through her we have glimpsed at heaven. Through her we have been blessed to know the wonderful people in her family and circle of friends. Through her we have hope.
Our hearts ache and cry in sadness and joy for we know the truth of our Heavenly Father.
With love and so many tears,
Kathy and Mark L.
Hello,sorry to hear of your loss, my condolences. I knew the jones ' family through school, paper route, and the ballard eagles drill team and rifle team. I'm Daniel Craigen, Mary Anderson's brother. God Bless
ReplyDeleteMarilyn's Army Too is in force at Cavelero Mid-High today. Our bright white shirts speak of our commitment and solidarity to the cause of helping end this suffering for the future, as well as providing comfort and encouragement to you and your family. This summer we were bike riders, now we are a support force here for you, as you need us. Grieving is a confusing and contradictory experience, for we are all feeling your loss and the changes it means for you and your precious loved ones, and, at the same time, we are feeling relief that Marilyn has moved beyond the suffering and the pain.
ReplyDeleteCavelero hearts are open wide and many have expressed the desire to do whatever they can. As you are able, dear Jeff, speak your heart and your mind, and you will have this army at your disposal. You are deeply cared for.
dale
Thank you Jeff for opening your heart to all of us. Marilyn will be missed more then words can say. I wish you, Lauren & Brian the best and peaceful days in the future. Godbless the 3 of you and stay well.
ReplyDeleteTeresa Hall
Jeff, Lauren, and Brian,
ReplyDeleteYour beloved is on her beach in Paradise. She'll be a guidepost for us as we go through the hassles of security, customs, and the many inconveniences, hardships, and sacrifices it takes to complete our own journey.
May Mare rest in peace, jump with joy, sing with salutations, and embrace the new mission God has in store for her as she receives the fullness of divine life into her fertile soul. Impregnated with God's overflowing grace, she will generate new life to bless your family in wonderful and unimaginable ways.
Thank you, Marilyn, for praying for me and for my intentions during your struggle. Continue to hold us all in your heart and offer prayers for us before the throne so that we will be prepared to join you in the breaking waves of God's love. Your storm is over and you have been guided into God's calm haven. We are happy for that.
Don't worry, Mare. We will keep Jeff and the kids in our constant prayers and will do all we can to console, support, and grieve with them as they step out in faith and trust each and every day.
Jeff, you are an awesome man. You have blessed us with a special intimacy with our suffering savior as you shared the suffering of your family through this blog. The cross has been heavy, but you have carried it with grunt and grace. I am grateful. I saw God in Mare and I saw God in you.
See you soon, dear friend.
Love, Cindy
Jeff, Lauren, and Brian,
ReplyDeleteYour beloved is on her beach in Paradise. She'll be a guidepost for us as we go through the hassles of security, customs, and the many inconveniences, hardships, and sacrifices it takes to complete our own journey.
May Mare rest in peace, jump with joy, sing with salutations, and embrace the new mission God has in store for her as she receives the fullness of divine life into her fertile soul. Impregnated with God's overflowing grace, she will generate new life to bless your family in wonderful and unimaginable ways.
Thank you, Marilyn, for praying for me and for my intentions during your struggle. Continue to hold us all in your heart and offer prayers for us before the throne so that we will be prepared to join you in the breaking waves of God's love. Your storm is over and you have been guided into God's calm haven. We are happy for that.
Don't worry, Mare. We will keep Jeff and the kids in our constant prayers and will do all we can to console, support, and grieve with them as they step out in faith and trust each and every day.
Jeff, you are an awesome man. You have blessed us with a special intimacy with our suffering savior as you shared the suffering of your family through this blog. The cross has been heavy, but you have carried it with grunt and grace. I am grateful. I saw God in Mare and I saw God in you.
See you soon, dear friend.
Love, Cindy
Jeff, I have to agree are you awesome. You have shared your heart and soul with so many people. You have to know, not only are we grieving ourselves for Marilyn but we are also carrying the grief for you and the kids and Marilyn's family. Your pain is our pain. Otherwise I think it would consume us all. That is why we all need to be here for one another. It is so important what your pastor spoke about what Marilyn knew what was before her. As much as she wanted to stay, she knew about her eternal life. She knew that there was something better than this. I got that message loud and clear. May we all be so lucky when it comes our time. She was an inspiration for us all. I love this verse that my pastor sent me:
ReplyDeleteHe will swallow up death in victory: and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off faces, ...
(Isaiah 25:8)
God is wiping our tears right now..
I love you,
Lisa
P.S your journey is not over, so keep us posted.