The Essence of John

Looking at the pictures of John in the previous posts, I'm struck by how unchanged his physical essence was for a period of almost 30 years -- as was his spiritual essence. JW was and is such a loving soul.

Destined to Be A Civilian

Recall this post and this post which give strong testimony to John's service to his nation as a civilian. In looking for the photo included in the below Mother's Day posting, I came across the following two photos which clearly indicate that JW was destined (just like his old man) to serve as a civilian, in that he just doesn't look all the fearsome in his sailor suit or his Army jumper. We love you guy.

A Memorable Mother's Day

All of the off-spring of the Leonard kids of Plainview are special in their own way. But John was extra special, because he was the first -- and for a long time, the only off-spring. He was almost three-years older than his brother, more than seven years older than his sister, and more than nine years older than his oldest cousin. He was the first to make his Mom & Dad parents -- the first grandson, the first nephew -- he was "the Dean" of the next generation and fulfilled that role so well in so many different ways.

Although I'm sure there were trips to the barber beforehand, my first memory of my then only son and I going out on just a guy's outing was when we went to buy flowers for John's Mom for Mothers' Day in 1978. JW was not quite two-years-old. It was just the two of us and John William was so excited at the prospect of buying something for his Mom. He, of course, helped pick out the flowers and you can see his excitement in the adjacent photo. Every child loves his or her mom; but anyone who ever saw JW and his Mom knew that his love for his mother was something very special indeed -- it is truly a love that is never ending.

Thanks for the sweet memories, son; thanks for the everlasting love we share.

A Special Day

It was two years ago this weekend that Jes attended her commencement ceremonies, having graduated from St. Mary's College of Maryland the previous December. With the pomp and circumstance of graduation, along with the big party afterwards, it was a big day. It was a special day for another reason as well -- for that was the day that we all got to meet Alex for the first time. I'm not too sure she ever forgave John for that. It is, of course, always stressful to "meet the parents" for the first time. But imagine adding to that the grandparents, the siblings, the aunts and the uncles and all the related kin and friends, and you can imagine what kind of day it must have been for Alex. Nonetheless, I guess she did forgive him after that -- because from the very first time we saw them together, we knew that John and Alex were meant for each other. We are so glad that the last year of JW's life was his happiest, and that was all due to Alex.

Another Beautiful Remembrance

Recall the posting from last year by Bridget, John's friend and high school classmate. Bridget has her own family blog at which she recently posted a beautiful remembrance as to The Miracle of April 7th. Her posting can be found here.

Jes' Blog Entry

The folks at the Washington Regional Transplant Community were struck by the simple beauty of Jes' Blog posting of a remembrance to her brother and the ultimate gift he gave to others. Their link to it can be seen here.

A Grandmother's Love

It was five years ago today that John's Mammy (Dad's Mom) , preceded John to heaven. After Mammy's funeral, all the grandchildren were given an inscribed photo; John's is to the right. For the next four years, JW proudly displayed this photo in his living room. It is still on his bookshelf at Mom's & Dad's home. JW and Mammy, of course, are at home together in heaven, looking down on all of us with eternal love.