Glorifying Gloria by Deacon Miguel
W
hat is there in a name? The glorious name she was given at Baptism defined her future essence: magnificence, great beauty and fame, distinction and grandeur, and the most important definition: closeness to – or already belonging – in the world of God.
Gloria Johnson was a Sao Paulo young lady who transcended nationality. While keeping a strong connection, pride and activism with her Brazilian culture during her life, through her marriage to Walter, she became the perfect American Corporate Wife, the adoring Mom of five kids, a never-miss-a-birthday Grandma, a loyal friend, a gracious hostess and an interesting raconteur of her worldwide travel experiences.
At Church, she was a devoted Member, always eager and selfless to serve in whatever capacity she was asked to join, whether it was the Vestry, Hospitality or any of the Christian Ministries that were created to help the poor and the homeless.
She was very active in our Community Conservation and Rotary Club programs and quite vocal in the media when she could express her wish to transform problems in this country – which she loved as much as her birthplace – and return to the highest ideals with which it was founded.
When her time to go arrived, so unexpectedly, God saw that she would be like her whole life had been, surrounded by all those she loved most: her children and grandchildren. We ask God to remain close to them, providing all the comfort they need in their immense pain.
And we, as we also mourn our dear friend and thank God for her friendship, cannot stop thinking about her, the name, her persona: Extraordinary!
Dear Friends,
Since I first heard Deacon Miguel’s dismissal at the end of a service, the words have never been more poignant than they have this week. We returned from our time away this past Monday night. While we were still on the runway taxiing into MIA, my WIFI reconnected, and the first thing I saw was a text from Mother Mandy: “You may have already heard that Gloria Johnson was involved in a fatal accident…” That, of course, was the first I had heard of Gloria’s untimely death, and by that time, she had already been gone for two days. This tragic news came on the heels of hearing of the deaths of several other people I have known over the years.
When someone dies after a long illness, we are saddened but not entirely unprepared. When someone beloved by many in a close-knit community is suddenly gone, there are no words to fill the void, the profound sense of loss. Many years ago, when a friend was killed in an automobile accident, the unreality of it was compounded by the fact that he had been at my house for dinner just hours before; “That’s just not possible!
19/24” was all I could think.
We just don’t know, do we? And so I leave you with Deacon Miguel’s words, from which I hope you find comfort at this sad time: “Life is short, and we do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those who travel with us. So be swift to love, make haste to be kind, and go in peace to love and serve the Lord.”
In Christ’s love,
Willie+
Please pray for…
St Christopher’s Parish & School Community
Pat Neal, Susie Schradle, Kathy V, Carol, Isabel L.
Family & Friends
Erik, Marilyn, Jane, Stewart, Sherrie, Julian, Charles, Mary Jo, Michael V, Allison, Frances R., Paul, Angie M., Dominique, Debi P., Lisa K., Katrina, Barbara, Eleanor, Nancy, Bill and Family, Lori, Paul J, Hugh, Keith, Barbara, Rebecca, Esteban, Carol, Jack and Marilyn Courtnay, Andy, Jane, Samuel, Niki, Dave, Geno, Patricia, Robert, Jackie, M.F.P., H.H.R., Bella and family, Betsy, Ethan, Danie, Dean and Richard, Gustavo Z., Gary, Mr. Long, Tracy, Shane, Stephen and Family. For Rex and Ruthann. For Ulla Britt Faiella and Ivonete Leite. Healing for Staria.
+ For the repose of the soul of Gloria Johnson, who died tragically and suddenly on July 13. May light perpetual shine upon her.
+ For peace in the Holy Land.
+ For refugees and all who are in danger.
+ For the Nominating Committee: Jeff Brosco, Pam Gordon, Callie Holderman, Lynne Nelson, Ken Noto and Peter Verbeeck, and Lynne Libby, their chaplain.
+ Peace, Freedom and the Safety for the people of Ukraine.
