Lon was my little brother who always had a nice smile. His industrious hands once created this needlepoint work to me as a surprise at Christmas. I had purchased it to do myself and forgotten it, such a busy bee I was even then. He was a teenager then and probably had more interesting things to do than this but he secretly and patiently persevered , completing it and even framing it.
I treasure this memoir of Lon’s loving heart.
Tribute 2 was about his years from 15- 60 and also passing on his generous words to others who might benefit too.
I was very close to Lon and when he developed mental illness as a teenager, I felt like I had lost him. Gone was the cute boy with the Donny Osmond smile.
He was never the same after that, which was difficult, but I kept loving him. He suffered a lot. I felt bad because I was such a serious student and later moved away for more studies and work ..and I didn’t have more time to spend with him.
I always worried about his troubled soul , during the decades he was estranged from his beloved children. It is a huge relief for me to know that he reunited with most of his children,
all except one who couldn’t make it to the funeral, if only briefly before he died. I’m sure he died more peacefully because of it. He loved all of his children very very much.
I also want Lon’s children and ex-wife u to know that I know the pain you felt because of Lon’s disturbed behaviour: I’m so proud of you and happy that you found the courage to endure and accept what happened and make your peace with it.
I’m so glad I got to see Lon myself at Mom’s funeral and to hug him one last time. His last words to me were the kindest I’ve received from my family in a long time. He called me and said: “You’re OK. I love you.”
I follow his lead now in saying the same to my remaining family members who I shared my formative years with: Dad, Laurel, Tara and Kirk: You’re all ok and I love you all.
In closing, I challenge each and every one of you to make peace with a family member, with whom you have experienced some conflict, by saying these words to them: You’re ok. I love you.
May my brother Lon rest in peace.
