Thank You!

 I know I have thanked you personally for your support and presence for my husband's recent death and funeral but collectively I want you all to know what it does to a spirit to see your face, receive a hug and hear words of love and support, not to mention the memorials, cards and phone calls. 

I need to confess how much I also learned in this whole process and that is that I didn't realize how much my own presence and personal expressions of sympathy mean.  It is so easy to just write a note of support on social media; that's easy to let me off the hook!  Now, I can see that even though I have not been able to look/read all the cards and notes yet, having a solid piece of paper in my hand means so much, even if at a later date to peruse and ponder. 

Jerry & Carmel

Yes, memories will come, tears will come.  It's so easy now to think I am fine, which I am, but there's nothing wrong with the sadness, tears and tender heart that memories bring when it all comes. The time surrounding a funeral, with all its prep, out of town company, is quite a busy time...too busy to have many emotions.

Down time will come, memories and reflection will be there and I suppose the song in this bird won't be so chipper as I would like when these times hit. It's not a matter of "holding up," I don't think.  It's probably just the natural way things are after someone you've been with for 47 years dies. And as Jerry said a few weeks ago, "Life is just the way it is!" 

So, again, thanks for all your love, support, concern and care.  I intend to stay on the side of gratitude of all I had with Jerry, trying not to feel sorry for myself for what I've lost.  The past five years have prepared me for some of this change.  I have indeed been blessed beyond belief; I wish I had journaled all the God incidents to share with you but suffice it to say that God's hand has been very present through this whole journey. 

God bless each and every one of you, again, for your friendship! 

Live Stream

 My husband's funeral, Jerry LaFond, for those unable to attend in person, will be live-streamed.  Go to "St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic parish, Two Rivers, WI" and you should find it there.  The service will begin at 1100hrs. today March 23, 2022.

Thank you for all who have sent cards, offered assistance and called me with your care and concern, for those who have brought food and offered with "anything you need." Thank you, too, for family and friends who have come from a distance to be here personally.  Words and actions of love have warmed my heart beyond compare!

One question that has been repeated, "How are you?"  My reply, "I know I am not tracking clearly, but I have not 'lost my marbles...they are just rolling to one side!"  And "all the dots are not connecting." It is hard to realize I have joined the club called "widowed." There is nothing like a personal experience to really understand what others in this boat have gone through.

So, I await family and friends to arrive in a few hours and have more to do so will cut this short.  May God bless and keep all of you! Thank you for being my friend during this time. 

Jerry LaFond Obituary

 Gerald (Jerry) LaFond, a lifetime resident of Two Rivers, WI died after a lengthy journey of deteriorating health. His latest challenge occurred St. Patrick’s Day 2021, when he endured a leg amputation because of circulation issues.  

Jerry was a bachelor for many years, being “mother-father-brother and sister” to his two brothers, Billy and Howard.  They all lived in the family home until September 1975 when he married the love of his life, Molly Longstreth. They would have celebrated forty-seven years of marriage September 20, 2022.

Jerry was a foreman at Hamilton Industries in the steel plant for all of his working years, retiring in 1992. After he retired he spent all the time he wanted  in his workshop, which he loved, especially since his dad, Urban (Julia Goeler) LaFond, guided him in woodworking and making just about anything.  Jerry was so handy and made many pieces of furniture over the years as well as remodeling many aspects of the family home. 

Jerry was an avid hunter and both he and Molly loved to fish and travel, especially out west.  Going to the Black Hills Buffalo Roundup several years ago was a highlight but Yellowstone was also a favorite. A favorite memory of his was the last time with his brother, Howard, after a planned hunting trip to Wyoming fizzled. With every deer antler he had in his shop he could tell you the story of each one. 

He was a quiet guy but was like a magpie if he got on the topic of the Great Lakes fishing, especially knowing what fisherman operated which fish tugs.  His dad and uncles were all fishermen out of Two Rivers on Lake Michigan. Once on a trip to Charlevoix, MI, he knew his dad’s tug was there somewhere so asked at the local fish store.  He found it on land and went and spoke to the owner who updated him on it’s recent history. He was in seventh heaven!

He loved the fact that the LaFond family was one of the main families that was among the early settlers of Two Rivers.  To be an “East Sider” was a badge of pride and to live anywhere else was a sacriledge to him!  He lived on the East Side and wanted to die on the East Side.  

When he moved permanently to Shady Lane Nursing Home in 2019, he shared with Molly that the hardest part was leaving the shrine his dad built in their yard, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He and his dad gathered stones all around the Great Lakes for it as they traveled in the 1950’s.  It is lit at night so passersby can see it. He had a deep devotion to the Virgin Mary, praying the rosary every day of his life. He hopes in the future, after Molly moves out, that whoever lives there next will cherish it as much as he did. 

His sister, Catherine, just died March 6, 2022.  His two brothers, Bill and Howard also preceded him in death many years ago.  Catherine’s daughter, Annie, preceded him Dec. 12, 2021.  Survivors include Catherine’s children: Michael (Melissa) Bruce, Mark Bruce, Terry (Cissy) Bruce and Julia (Howie) Jansen.  A special cousin, Claudia Halonen also survives. His in laws include Molly’s siblings: Debby Michael, Sheri (Judd) Knecht and Dan (Kathy) Longstreth as well as Trish Longstreth, a sister-in-law. Three of Molly's siblings:  Ann Weaver, Tim Longstreth and Susan Hayes preceded him in death.  Great nieces and nephews also survive.

Mount Rushmore

When reading an obit most folks check out the age, “how old were they?”  Well, no age is given here because Jerry would readily tell you if asked, “Today I’m the oldest I’ve ever been!”  Another thing he said recently to Molly when they were talking about the years gone by and sadness of his impending death was, “Well, life is just the way it is!”  

Funeral services will be  next Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church, Two Rivers, WI with visitation beginning at 0900 hrs. ending at Mass time at 1100 hrs.  DejaMartin Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. Donations are appreciated to: Sharon Richardson Community Hospice, Sheboygan Falls, TREP (Two Rivers Ecumenical Panty) Two Rivers or the Manitowoc Humane Society, Manitowoc, WI, or a charity of donor’s choice.  

Nieces and nephews, who referred to him as “Uncs,” will have a hole in their heart as will the rest of family and friends, missing him, his wisdom, memories and stories.   Jerry, you have left a wonderful legacy of gentleness, love and faith that we will never forget.  Thank you for it all!  Now, enjoy good health with all your family.

A huge  "thank you" to the Sharon Richardson Community Hospice and the staff at Shady Lane Nursing Home for the  good care given him.  Also, to friends who were so faithful in calling and visiting, especially Bob Bielke, and those from the gun club!  

An old Two Rivers fish tug somewhere in Upper Michigan

Mary, The Undoer of Knots

https://udayton.edu/imri/mary/u/untier-of-knots.php

Many Christians, especially Catholics realize how important the Blessed Virgin Mary is and how she points everything to her son, Jesus.  We pray, asking her to intercede for us, to Jesus.  

One of her titles is, "Mary, the Undoer of Knots." The above reference explains the history of this devotion.  The prayer to Mary, the Undoer of Knots is:

Virgin Mary, Mother of fair love, Mother who never refuses to come to the aid of a child in need, Mother whose hands never cease to serve your beloved children because they are moved by the divine love and immense mercy that exists in your heart, cast your compassionate eyes upon me and see the snarl of knots that exist in my life. You know very well how desperate I am, my pain, and how I am bound by these knots. Mary, Mother to whom God entrusted the undoing of the knots in the lives of his children, I entrust into your hands the ribbon of my life. No one, not even the Evil One himself, can take it away from your precious care. In your hands there is no knot that cannot be undone. Powerful Mother, by your grace and intercessory power with Your Son and My Liberator, Jesus, take into your hands today this knot: [Mention your request here] I beg you to undo it for the glory of God, once for all. You are my hope. O my Lady, you are the only consolation God gives me, the fortification of my feeble strength, the enrichment of my destitution, and, with Christ, the freedom from my chains. Hear my plea. Keep me, guide me, protect me, o safe refuge! Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for me.

What is happening in Ukraine is probably terrorizing many of us, especially with the thought of a nuclear war.  Prayers are powerful and I personally have prayed the above prayer for knots in my own life, with marvelous results. 

I offer it to you for your own prayer life.  For those who have objections, please respect those who will appreciate this prayer.  If you don't understand this theology, that's OK.  But I ask, what can it hurt...we need all the help we can get and war is NOT the answer. Please forward it to others; this world needs all the prayers it can get right now.  God bless you!

Courtesy of Pixabay

 

A Very Powerful Prayer

 "Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen."