A Series of Fortunate Events
As I stand here at this very moment, I still feel that I will never be satisfied with what I have come to say here today. Nothing I could come up with would ever do justice to a person like Jona and the mark he has made undoubtedly on every life in this room. However, I know Jona, and I know he’d be telling me not to be so negative. He would likely be reassuring me that it would turn out great no matter what. That’s just the kind of person he was – always looking forward, never letting the obstacles become anything of consequence. If Jona could have a catch phrase, it would most certainly have to be “no worries, be happy.” So with that in mind, I would like to commemorate him by sharing with you a few of my thoughts on why Jona really was the best thing that has ever happened to me.
Many of you knew him as Jonathan, but to me he was Jona. When first meeting Jona I had no idea what I was getting into, and I certainly had no expectations of a serious relationship. The first time I noticed Jona was one Halloween at work, with his less-than-appropriate costume for a family-style restaurant. (Ironic now that I think about it, since we somewhat became known for our Halloween costumes over the years!) Jona was a co-worker with whom I shared no more than a passing glance with. He was just that funny, flirty guy that I would admire from a distance. That all changed the day he unexpectedly asked me to the Goodfoot show at a local dive bar. It sure sounded adventurous, but for me adventurous included just about anything outside of work, school, or going to the movies. Still, I was feeling awkward with the suddenness of the invitation so of course I responded with an excuse that I wasn’t old enough. He followed up by asking me my age, to which I appropriately lied—since my b-day was merely a week away—with my exaggerated age, 20. Almost as soon as I told him I was kicking myself, I swear he must have been reading me like a book. He responded by asking “When do you turn 21?” I told him that I was about to have a b-day, to which he emphatically responded, “Next week then, you have to go! We’ll celebrate!” Good one Dawn, caught in a lie in my very first encounter. I embarrassingly retracted my previous statement about my age, and we laughed.
Luckily, it didn’t discourage him. Another day at work not long after, Jona made his intentions clear, whispering to me as I passed by, “Meet me in the woodshed,”—this being the most private place at the restaurant where all the linens were kept. Again, this was very typical to Jona’s no-holds-barred approach to life. My heart was racing as I continued to deliver my plates. What could he possibly want with me? With much reluctance, I crept into that woodshed to find him leaning ever so confidently against the shelves of perfectly folded towels. I barely had time to shut the door behind me before he reached his hands behind my neck and gave me a long passionate kiss. I’ll never regret the decision to enter the woodshed that day. (Much of our relationship followed a similar course, in a very live-by-the-edge-of-your-seat sort of fashion.)
Although our relationship of four years is a mere blink of an eye in this lifetime, Jona has left a mark on me that will never be undone. There is no doubt that I will miss him, but no matter how it feels today I know that I will look back with a great fondness and cherish the many special moments I had and the opportunity to get to know Jona. No matter what the occasion, whether it was just the two of us sitting at home on New Years Eve sipping champagne in our PJs, or the most elaborate Caribbean cruise vacation, we enjoyed every minute of each other’s company. It wasn’t hard to enjoy my time with Jona as I am sure many of you here can relate to.
I have so many wonderful memories with him, once-in-a-lifetime kind of experiences. I could go on for days detailing all the insignificant little memories that I was so fortunate to have experienced with Jona, but that could turn into a novel. Jona was the only person that managed to amaze me every day. He was an inspiration to me. That he chose to be with me, made me feel that I must be the luckiest girl in the world. He was not only my partner, he was my best friend. When I had doubts, he believed in me. When I felt like it couldn’t be done, he encouraged me. When my mind was nothing but a cloudy fog, he gave me clarity. Most importantly, Jona was the one who awakened my spirit. Simply put, he was my soul mate and I feel so fortunate to have found a love that special.
I may not have known Jona as long as some of you, but this just goes to show what an impact he made in the brief time he was given. This really does seem to put things into perspective. It didn’t take long for one to know that Jona was unique. In fact, I have yet to meet a person that did not get along with him. Jona was confident but not arrogant, spontaneous and still thoughtful – the perfect combination of salty and sweet. I’d like to think we complimented each other in that way. My Mom would say he was “worldly,” he was very intelligent and had a good sense of people. Being spontaneous and confident, when he decided what he wanted he would go after it whole heartedly, and he had a remarkable way of convincing others to join him in his plans. Jona was one of a few genuine people that I have ever met – the kind of person who would walk into a room full of strangers and couldn’t help but leaving with a handful of new friends. He had the talents of one hundred people combined, and his passion for all things made him a person with whom just about anyone could relate to. And all of you here today are just a small tribute to that. – So I’d just like to thank you for coming today to show your love for this unforgettable man. I know he’d be smiling with those familiar squinty eyes to see you all here.
Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free
I'm following the path God laid for me,
I took His hand when I heard Him call
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day
Tasks left undone must stay that way.
May my love of music for all to hear
Make each song sung remind you I'm near.
If my parting has left a void
Fill it with memories of times enjoyed.
The family shared was a gift of mine,
This I'll miss as I leave it behind.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow.
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow
My life's been full, I savored much.
Strong family, friends, a loved one's touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your head and share with me
God wanted me now, He set me free.
Many of you knew him as Jonathan, but to me he was Jona. When first meeting Jona I had no idea what I was getting into, and I certainly had no expectations of a serious relationship. The first time I noticed Jona was one Halloween at work, with his less-than-appropriate costume for a family-style restaurant. (Ironic now that I think about it, since we somewhat became known for our Halloween costumes over the years!) Jona was a co-worker with whom I shared no more than a passing glance with. He was just that funny, flirty guy that I would admire from a distance. That all changed the day he unexpectedly asked me to the Goodfoot show at a local dive bar. It sure sounded adventurous, but for me adventurous included just about anything outside of work, school, or going to the movies. Still, I was feeling awkward with the suddenness of the invitation so of course I responded with an excuse that I wasn’t old enough. He followed up by asking me my age, to which I appropriately lied—since my b-day was merely a week away—with my exaggerated age, 20. Almost as soon as I told him I was kicking myself, I swear he must have been reading me like a book. He responded by asking “When do you turn 21?” I told him that I was about to have a b-day, to which he emphatically responded, “Next week then, you have to go! We’ll celebrate!” Good one Dawn, caught in a lie in my very first encounter. I embarrassingly retracted my previous statement about my age, and we laughed.
Luckily, it didn’t discourage him. Another day at work not long after, Jona made his intentions clear, whispering to me as I passed by, “Meet me in the woodshed,”—this being the most private place at the restaurant where all the linens were kept. Again, this was very typical to Jona’s no-holds-barred approach to life. My heart was racing as I continued to deliver my plates. What could he possibly want with me? With much reluctance, I crept into that woodshed to find him leaning ever so confidently against the shelves of perfectly folded towels. I barely had time to shut the door behind me before he reached his hands behind my neck and gave me a long passionate kiss. I’ll never regret the decision to enter the woodshed that day. (Much of our relationship followed a similar course, in a very live-by-the-edge-of-your-seat sort of fashion.)
Although our relationship of four years is a mere blink of an eye in this lifetime, Jona has left a mark on me that will never be undone. There is no doubt that I will miss him, but no matter how it feels today I know that I will look back with a great fondness and cherish the many special moments I had and the opportunity to get to know Jona. No matter what the occasion, whether it was just the two of us sitting at home on New Years Eve sipping champagne in our PJs, or the most elaborate Caribbean cruise vacation, we enjoyed every minute of each other’s company. It wasn’t hard to enjoy my time with Jona as I am sure many of you here can relate to.
I have so many wonderful memories with him, once-in-a-lifetime kind of experiences. I could go on for days detailing all the insignificant little memories that I was so fortunate to have experienced with Jona, but that could turn into a novel. Jona was the only person that managed to amaze me every day. He was an inspiration to me. That he chose to be with me, made me feel that I must be the luckiest girl in the world. He was not only my partner, he was my best friend. When I had doubts, he believed in me. When I felt like it couldn’t be done, he encouraged me. When my mind was nothing but a cloudy fog, he gave me clarity. Most importantly, Jona was the one who awakened my spirit. Simply put, he was my soul mate and I feel so fortunate to have found a love that special.
I may not have known Jona as long as some of you, but this just goes to show what an impact he made in the brief time he was given. This really does seem to put things into perspective. It didn’t take long for one to know that Jona was unique. In fact, I have yet to meet a person that did not get along with him. Jona was confident but not arrogant, spontaneous and still thoughtful – the perfect combination of salty and sweet. I’d like to think we complimented each other in that way. My Mom would say he was “worldly,” he was very intelligent and had a good sense of people. Being spontaneous and confident, when he decided what he wanted he would go after it whole heartedly, and he had a remarkable way of convincing others to join him in his plans. Jona was one of a few genuine people that I have ever met – the kind of person who would walk into a room full of strangers and couldn’t help but leaving with a handful of new friends. He had the talents of one hundred people combined, and his passion for all things made him a person with whom just about anyone could relate to. And all of you here today are just a small tribute to that. – So I’d just like to thank you for coming today to show your love for this unforgettable man. I know he’d be smiling with those familiar squinty eyes to see you all here.
Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free
I'm following the path God laid for me,
I took His hand when I heard Him call
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day
Tasks left undone must stay that way.
May my love of music for all to hear
Make each song sung remind you I'm near.
If my parting has left a void
Fill it with memories of times enjoyed.
The family shared was a gift of mine,
This I'll miss as I leave it behind.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow.
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow
My life's been full, I savored much.
Strong family, friends, a loved one's touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your head and share with me
God wanted me now, He set me free.