June 27, 2020                   25th Anniversary

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25 years ago today my Dad "George" passed from this world.

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In some ways, it seems like forever and in other ways it seems like yesterday.

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I still miss him A LOT (plain and simple).

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I woke up earlier than usual today with tears in my eyes for some reason… and then I remembered… the pain and sorry of his death came flooding into memory as if it had happened only hours ago (he had died around 3am and it was 4:50am).  For a few minutes, as the tears continued, I vividly recalled the night of his passing in my mind. 

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And then, I laughed.  Even in death, my father continues to make me laugh.  Not surprising if you knew him.

 

For those of you who did not know him, let me try to explain.  You see, when I look back, my Dad lived his entire life working ‘towards eternity’. 

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-He would not want us to cry for him, but pray for him ‘across the river’ as his Universal Note says and he will look back and pray for us.

 

As the priest (Msgr. Reynolds), who we had called in to give my father last rights a few weeks before his death, said in a slightly reprimanding(!) voice and shaking his head in almost disbelief  (since all good Catholics should know this!) because we were all saying the rosary and weeping around his bedside: 

                                 

“What are you crying for?!… he’s about to go where he has worked his whole life to get to!” 

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There could not have been a truer statement about my Dad, but at the time, we were caught up in grief and did not want to let him go.  

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So back to this morning, why did my tears turn to laughter?  Because I pictured by Dad smiling. -The night he died, much like a scene in a movie, we were all around him in our family room as he was dying.  He could no longer speak but he knew we were there.

 

At around 2:30am, I left the room to stretch my back for a little while. The next I remember is my sister coming into the other room to say my Dad had passed.  I can’t remember the exact words.  But to this day, I am convinced that he waited until I left the room because after the first “last rights” scene with Msgr. Reynolds,  I had asked if I could “have a peek” when he went to heaven.  He had responded, with a grin of course and his classic slight eye roll, “I’m not dead yet, and you’re already asking for favors.”  But, he didn’t say ‘no’ either…

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Since he could never disappoint one of his children, I am convinced he made sure I was out of the room so he didn’t let me down.  In hindsight, it was of course quite inappropriate of me to ask for ‘a peek’ of heaven.

 

So why do I share all this?  We have all lost those we love….they leave a hole in our hearts but we can continue to honor them by doing things in their memory and by telling stories that keep them “alive” although they are separated from us by time and distance.

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My challenge to you on this 25th anniversary of my Dad’s passing and in the future is this:

1. Go do something kind for someone (anonymously -if possible-without expecting anything in return);

2. If you knew my Dad and he made an impact on your life, share that story with us via George’s Angels, and with others, -keep his kindness alive so he can inspire others even in death.

3. Think about your own legacy.  If you were a student of his either at Regis or Fordham, remember his famous end of year speech, and, for all others, I’ve shared his eulogy and his Universal Note –Go make the world a better place -there is nothing you cannot accomplish!

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Last but certainly not least, when I remember my Dad’s passing I want to say thank you.

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Thank you to all the Jesuits at Fordham who concelebrated his funeral mass.

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Thank you to all of his/our friends and family who supported us and him through his illness and death.

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Most of all thank you to “Momma Gill” ("Winnie") for being a role model in love and compassion, and, for showing us the true meaning of "until death do us part” as she supported him unceasingly and cared for him faithfully through his long illness.

             

            My Dad was a peacemaker.

         

            Some called him “Saint George”.

         

           How will you be remembered?  What will your legacy be? 

                        Only you can determine that –

                        You really can change the World One Kind Act At A Time…

                        Challenge yourself!

 

Wishing you all Peace, this year and always.

 -Eileen

    & if you have a story about "George" you would like to share, please send to me at eileen@georgesangels.org

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p.s.  One final request -please include my Dad in your prayers.  Both he and my grandmother always reminded us how important it was to pray for both the living and the dead.  You can be assured of his prayers for you from 'across the river'.