****
Thank you all for your beautiful, kind and loving words, you’re the very best of friends.
I had the privilege of visiting my uncle in Australia a few years back, it was the best trip of my life. What a stunning country.
I remember sitting drinking coffee with him on the Melbourne shoreline and he pointed to a pier where, he told me, he had arrived from Ireland 40-something years before. I thought I was heroic just flying to Australia, but his journey, by ship, was interminable and grim. A young Irish man who’d never left home before, suddenly landed in this far-off land, he and his family assuming they’d never see each other again.
He was a priest, so I gave him a terrible time :-) But he was a liberal, and did his own thing – and stood up to the most vile pedophile-defending conservative Catholics in his part of the world. And he paid for it – but happily so.
I am so, so happy he lived to see Pope Francis, my last conversation with him … it was like he was almost content to let go, now that his Church was led by a man like that. He adored him, he made his heart sing. He laughed out loud when I said I was tempted to put a poster of the new Pope on my wall.
“Life’s funny, isn’t it girl?”
“It is, Uncle J.”
He lived an amazing life and did so much good. I didn’t know that until I visited his world, as I rambled around his parish I was flooded with stories of the wonderful impact he had on people’s lives, and how he fought for those crushed by authority. Their love for him was immense.
When I arrived in Melbourne we met up that evening. He had a meeting the next morning about dealing with a priest against whom sexual abuse allegations had been made. “Just do the right thing,” I said to him. “I will,” he promised. And he did. He stood strong, and he lost friends because of it. But he did the right thing.
His life was a story of doing the right thing from start to finish.
He was also a brilliant sportsman in his younger days. He won an All-Ireland medal, kind of the equivalent of the Super Bowl!
He gave his medal to my mother.
Tonight, she stroked it lovingly. I can’t begin to understand her sense of loss.
“Ma, he had a wonderful life.”
“He did,” she said, and then she stroked that medal again.
All I could do was hug her and love her.
May he rest in peace, my family will miss him so much.
****
White House.gov
Evenin’.
God Bless Him.
Congratulations JB!
When your life has purpose and meaning you live forever in the hearts of those lives you touched.
True love keeps going…..
Doing the Right Thing is who you are not what you do.
Beautufil Sentiment
“His life was a story of doing the right thing from start to finish.”
Thank you Chipsticks for sharing your memories of a truly wonderful man and an exceptional human being. That line in your poignant memory of Uncle J tugged at my heartstrings and choked me up. Those he reached out and connected with are surely blessed to have known him and will live richer and more fulfilled lives.
May he rest in eternal peace and may this world be filled with more Uncle J’s. We would surely be all the more better for it.
Thank you for your memories of a life well lived and well loved, Chips.
Amen.
Yes, and thanks for being here too.
A beautiful tribute, NW. You speak for all of us. Thank you.
And deepest gratitude for The Obama Diary community, an evolving circle of amazing people of compassion and strength.
Such a great tribute!
I AM SO SORRY ABOUT THE LOSS OF YOUR UNCLE J CHIPS…MAY OUR PRECIOUS LORD COMFORT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY IN THIS TIME OF GREAT GRIEF AND LOSS.
Chips - I haven’t been here much today, so I’m just seeing your sad news. Sad for such a loss, and I particularly send a hug for your mom, but nevertheless I know the happiness of knowing and loving your Uncle J will comfort you for the rest of your life. That is the gift of special people and that is truly his “final gift” to you. I know you know we all love you, but I’ll repeat it!
Chips, thank you for allowing is to send love, hugs and prayers for you, your mum, and the rest of Uncle J`s loved ones.
Send him off correctly with warm memories, laughter and song.
Rest well Uncle J. You left a good mark in the hearts of your loved ones <3
Chips, I’m so happy you had these final memories, and had the opportunity to experience the impact he had on peoples’ lives. Thank you for sharing them with us.
What a wonderful remembrance. He lives still in hearts and the good he has left behind in all the souls he has touches. Hugs and blessings to your mom and to you. Thank goodness you got to Australia and that he lived to see Pope Francis.
Beautiful words and memories.
Bless his heart. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your Mom.
Dearest Chips,
Your beautiful tribute describes a great man who truly lived a life of compassion, kindness, justice and love - the earthly expression of what I would call “God”.
Thoughts, prayers, love and light for you, your mom and your Uncle. I would ask that the veil between the worlds part just enough so that you would all know that your love for each other continues, even though the human form does not. That doesn’t make it any easier to lose someone dear, I know, so I hope that the love and compassion and sympathy from all those of us who love and admire you here at TOD, will radiate out and surround your mother with virtual hugs and give you both comfort {{{{{Chips and Mom}}}}}.
Chips I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m glad he was in your life to help you through the growing years.
Dear Ms Chips
So many thoughts for your uncle - and for his sister and for you. Uncles are people with whom we can have “no strings attached” relationships - they do not have to teach us or show us or reprimand us - they can just love us & we can do the same. They can enjoy what we do & we can be so proud to be associated with someone who cares. Take care & keep caring.
Another man who does the right thing, I might add.
@Earth_Pics: Aurora Australis, the Southern Lights over Australia
beautiful, carolmae. chips, i can just see your dear uncle lifting up into this vibrant, welcoming sky.
Thanks Suzanne, hope Chips feels it too.
:-)
My beautiful Chips: May your loss be covered with a sweet, sweet fragrance of loving peace. May Mom receive the most precious touch of God’s grace to get her through this time. Stay close to your loving memories of your dear uncle J, and always allow those precious memories to sit quietly beside you and Mom. Drink in the sweetness of his laughter, and loving deeds to mankind; and taste the goodness of his being one to do the pure and right thing during his journey on this earth. May his beautiful spirit rest gently upon your heart and Mom’s heart.
May this time be gentle, peaceful, and comforting to you and Mom. I love you, my Chips. {{{{{{{Mom and Chips}}}}}}}HZ
What a beautiful tribute to your “Uncle J” Miz Chips. He did so much good while he was here and I’m sure is resting in peace. Virtual hugs from us to you and your family.
“here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)
““Ma, he had a wonderful life.”
“He did,” she said, and then she stroked that medal again.
All I could do was hug her and love her.”
Dearest Chips, I weep for you and your family, but I also celebrate the magnificent life of your ‘Uncle J’ and that all of you shared in his life.
Dearest NW, thank you for this lovely tribute.
good night TOD - what an amazingly grace-filled community.
Had to post this before departing … in honor of your Uncle J, Chips …
A beutiful tribute.
Thanks for sharing these reflections, Chips.
Dear Chips, you and your Mom have my suncerest condolences on the loss of your beloved Uncle J.
Thank you for sharing his story with us. He sounds like such a dear man with an adventurous spirit, an unshakeable moral compass and the heart of a lion. I get the sense, too, that you are quite the “chip” off your uncle’s broad shoulders.
I hope the pain you and your Mom feel now will soon be softened by warm hugs and sweet, funny stories you’ll recall and share often. His was a life well lived. You are his witnesses. You both do him proud.
I wish him peaceful rest.
I wish your entire family boundless love.
Chips, So sorry for your loss. May all the wonderful memories sustain you and your mom and lift you up. (((((HUGS))))) to you and your mom.
Such sad news…my sympathies. May you and your family find comfort in these beautiful memories.
Dear Chips: I am so sorry for your loss (((((((((Chips & Mom)))))))))) What a wonderful, honorable man your Uncle J was ~ how lucky that you were able to know and love him, may he RIP… thank you for sharing a bit of him with us.
Chips,
Thank you for such a loving and wonderful tribute to an inspiring man, one whose blood courses through your veins.
I share the sentiments of everyone here, but Dudette’s words, that you carry his sense of justice and welcoming spirit with you are so true.
Everyone here, whether religious or not, share in his joy of seeing Pope Francis. Glad that he knew the Catholic Church has righted course, that its leaders have been reminded of their true mission, to serve all people, all Children of God.
No doubt he’ll be sent off with a proper Irish wake, and glasses will be raised as his loving and grateful friends and family toast your Uncle J.
Reminds me of that Aussie response which never fails to brighten my mood, “And Bob’s yer Uncle.”
Eternal peace to a man well-respected, and deservingly so.
((( Chips ))) ((( Uncle J and family and friends )))
Dearest ChipsChica - I mostly lurk these days (usually too far behind to contribute) but I visit regularly.
I had to come out to add my voice to everyone here adding condolences and join you in celebrating this most celebrated life. I’m so happy that you got to visit recently and to bask in the glow of all the great deeds he did, one last time. Be assured that he will never truly be gone because he will forever live in the hearts of those he touched as well as in the hearts of you and your mom, his immediate family.
To everyone here who has experienced health issues, losses and great and wonderful milestones (even when vicariously via offspring) please know that I celebrate and weep with you, sending a prayer, a cheer and a silent cosmic hug. You are all so very special and I thank you all for being this amazing community.
Now gotta go or will be late for work. Have a wonderful Wednesday.
How lucky we are to now know about your precious Uncle J. He continues to reach others through your beautiful word and tribute. Chips, I’m so sorry for you and your family’s loss. We all need to aspire to live the way that your Uncle lived. Passionate, loving, true. May he rest in peace.
My condolences to you and your family, Chips.
Chips, Your tribute to your uncle was beautiful. My condolences to you and your family.
Good Morning TODVille.
22 degrees this morning. 4 days ago, it was 65. I wonder where the 43 degrees went.
GM all.
Only now seeing that Ms Chips’ Uncle died.
My condolences to you Chips and Danny and to the rest of your family . From all that you said in your wonderful tribute, you and they will have soothing helpful memories of someone very special.
The New York Times @nytimes · 3m3 minutes ago
Second Frenchman Is Identified in ISIS Video of Peter Kassig http://nyti.ms/1ynQlmD
Greg Sargent @ThePlumLineGS · 3m3 minutes ago
Koch brothers’ group urging GOP *not* to stage govt funding fight against Obama on deportations: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/19/us/politics/republicans-government-shutdown-obama-immigration.html …
[{{Chips}}} I can’t add any more than has already been said by all these incredible people here and their very poignant and eloquent words. I have nothing to add but to say that he is here with you always. He is the wind in your hair as you walk with Danny, the hint of his scent when you least expect it, the beauty and peace you see and feel when you are quiet with yourself…I know this is this is true because this is when I feel my own mom with me. He is all around you now, The gentle breeze you feel is his caress. Just smile when you think of him and he will know. He’s with you and your mom in these small and important ways now…let these thoughts bring your family peace. Hugs to all of you.
Chips, this is one of the most beautiful and loving tributes to a loved one that I have ever read. There are tears streaming down my face at your memories of your wonderful uncle and the love that both his family and the people he served had for him. He will always be with you and your mother. You’ll remember the things he said, the depth of love he felt in his heart and his sense of justice. Part of him is in you as you demonstrate every day with your love of people and your deep commitment to our president. I’m sure he could see that in you and loved you for it. May the deep sorrow ease for you and your family as you celebrate his life and all he gave to those around him. It is a great and amazing thing to “do the right thing from start to finish.” That is truly a life well lived.
Mooooooooooorning!
http://theobamadiary.com/2014/11/19/early-bird-chat-417/
Good Morning Chips. I just read your beautiful words about your uncle. I can imagine God greeting him with the words, “well done, thou good and faithful servant”. Now he’s at rest and you are left with fabulous memories and immense loss, but peace will come. I am so sorry for your loss.
O.M.G. Can you imagine????
my condolences to you and your family Chips. My prayers are with you at this time.
I know that everyone has gone on to another thread, but I wanted to leave a word for Chips after reading this remembrance of her dear uncle.
Dear Chips, thank you for sharing some part of your remarkable Uncle J with us. I am so happy that you were able to see him and his world before he died. Knowing that he was so loved and appreciated by those he served is a wonderful gift for you to have. I hope that the memories of his love, courage and service help to sustain you and your mother. My heart is full for the two of you. May God keep and comfort you and may his face shone upon you.
Grand hugs, dear Chips. Your Uncle J. sounds like an extraordinary person. “Ma, he had a wonderful life.” And that’s how he’ll live on. Sincere condolences to you and your Ma.
<3
{{{{Mom <3 Chips}}}}
I’m late, but just wanted to add my comments here. This is such a poignant tribute to a seemingly wonderful man. I’m glad you were blessed to be family and that you two obviously share a sense of irreverence, empathy, and justice, despite your different paths. May you, your Mom, and your family be comforted. ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥