Entry: Happy Jon Day! Wednesday, July 28, 2004



I had a good Jon Day. July 27th is my brother's birthday. I was fortunate enough to spend it with Claire and her daughters Charlotte and Sheila. We had a home cooked breakfast, lazed around a bit, ran an errand or two, then met Lili's wonderful cousin Dianna for a lunch of Cleveland's finest corned beef. We then took a leisurely tour of the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame here in Cleveland. Afterwards we did a drive by inspection of some of the finer homes in the area then went for dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant.

It was an emotional day for me. Jon would have been 50 years old today and I miss him so much. Claire and the girls being here today was such a godsend to me. We had the opportunity to share our grief, our joy, and our wonderment at the man my brother was and the life he chose to lead even as he was ravaged by that terrible disease that claimed him.

The most vivid memories I have of Jon right now are his unyielding optimism as he faced his fate and how kind and considerate of others he was at the same time. I only hope those are qualities I would possess if placed in a similar situation. I honestly think if we had traded places, anger and dispair would be my response. I am not ashamed of my human frailties, more so I am amazed at my brother's ability to overcome his.

I think the best way I can honor Jon's memory is to make every day a "Happy Jon Day". I will strive to be positive in my outlook on life and to remember  being kind is  a measure of strength not weakness.

I love you Jon...
   3 comments

Claire
August 5, 2004   10:00 PM PDT
 
Beth, I think it's a great idea. Jon would love the reckless abandon of the sentiment. I often look at that picture you took of Jon and I on the lake. Right after you snapped it I whispered, "That's the first picture." Tell Bryon my girls found him to be hilarious too.
Beth Courtney
August 3, 2004   05:13 PM PDT
 
Claire:

I wanted to let you know what I plan to do this weekend with some of Jon's ashes. I'm going to have Bryan take the boat out at full throttle, I will stand at the back seat and while I am letting them fly I will shout as loud as I can-woo hoo!!! My first impression of you will always be the way you would say that when Bryan got a little nutty as he was driving the boat. I hope you think this is a good idea.
Beth Courtney
July 28, 2004   08:11 AM PDT
 
I too had a better than expected day yesterday. Jon's 50th birthday was sort of a milestone for me when we learned of his illness. Our mother died a few months after her 50th birthday, so I thought if Jon could make it that far he could make it all the way. I take comfort knowing he is free of the pain now, but I wasn't ready to let him go yet.
Bless you brother, you are in me and I am in you.

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