Thank you all for waiting so patiently while we try our hardest to plan the best way to celebrate Pat's life. I think we've finally got everything nailed down, here are the plans:
Wednesday, November 21st @ 4:00 pm "Celebration of Life"
JSerra Catholic High School Gymnasium
26351 Junipero Serra Rd San Juan Capistrano, Ca 92675
(949)493-9307
Reception immediately following with Pat's favorite....mexican food.
As we all know, Pat loved to dress casual, a pair of jeans and a button down shirt were his favorite. Of course, you are welcome to dress in whatever you feel is appropriate, we just ask for not a lot of black.
In lieu of flowers, we have each chosen a charity if you wish to donate in Pat's memory.
Julie: City of Hope https://cityofhope.org/donate/main/homepage.aspx
Brady: The V Foundation http://www.jimmyv.org/donate/donations/
Brock: ASPCA http://www.aspca.org/site/pageserver?pagename=donate_home
Chloe: Urban Promise http://upusa.servicenetwork.com/donate.asp
If anyone feels that they would like to speak, we welcome anyone to do so. We are all so comforted by wonderful stories of Pat.
A special thank you to everyone who is helping us pull this all together.
My family, Pat's family and a special thank you to Carlos and Jessica Garcia at JSerra for being there for us.
My heart hurts a little more each minute as I face the reality that Pat won't be walking through the door. I miss him like crazy. I pray that Pat continues to hold me up just as he has done through his entire illness. I pray that God is holding Pat so very close and sending much needed strength to us in pain on Earth. Much love and thanks to all who hold us dear. God Bless you.
xoxo,
Jules
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
15 comments:
Dear Julie & Family,
It will be such a privilige to share in the celebration of Pat's life. I know the Lord will continue to provide you with the Super Woman strength you have so bravely displayed over these last months. Please have confidience that God will see you through this, He especially knows how much you need Him now, and with your concrete faith, and your commitment to Him, You will fill the strength and the gentleness of His loving arms.
Blessings to you always
Aunt Mary
Thanks Julie for helping us all celebrate Pat's life.
We'll be there.
Much love and energy to you and the kids.
Love, Jill V-B
Julie & Family
May your undying love, strength and courage as a family, carry you through this difficult time, and may you continue to find strength among the love in which you are surrounded.
With Blessings
Kristy
Julie.....I know that you're all tired, trying to pull things together and dealing with a "HUGE" loss. I know you're doing a terrific job for Pat, just the way he'd want it! It'll all come together, don't worry a bit. It'll be a great tribute to him. I love all the plans! Everything you've done so far is "right on" with how he was. It's gonna be such a nice celabration.......we'll all get to celebrate Pat Smith! What could be better then that?
Love-Teri
Does it strike you as a little strange the events that have transpired over the last 18 months or so. Chloe and Brock are in schools tending not only to their academics but preparing and teaching them about spirituality. Brady returns from a school out of state to be closer to family and ultimately have the ability to spend more time with his dad? Why we wonder... why good people are taken from us so soon; perhaps it might be comforting to realize that God in fact had a plan and maybe was helping the family be prepared for this event. Who knows; one day we'll all be together again and be able to ask these questions.
You are one of the closest families I've ever seen, how lucky and fortunate Pat was to have a hand in this task.
Blessings and comfort to all of the Smith family. Prayers for all of you are in full force!
Julie and kids,
Thank you for letting us share in this very special celebration of my mentor, coach and hero.
Marianne
In reading the anonymous blog about the children’s journey in Spirituality and one child moving home to be closer to Pat. That you will one day get to ask the questions –
Recently I wrote about a friend who had faith like no other I have ever known. I was so disappointed when the Lord took her. I was so sure; she would make it because of her faith. She did, some years ago when she was diagnosed and lived some 20 years after her first encounter with the cancer.
I wanted to believe for Pat and his family that he too would make it, because I know what it is like to loose someone you hold so dear to your heart. I felt your pain and emptiness.
When we first heard about Pat’s diagnosis with the type of Leukemia he had and that it was a Childs version - my gut instincts then were it would be a slim chance that Pat was going to make it, but I decided to rely on faith because I kept finding scriptures and hearing testaments about how God had extended other’s lives before us and about believing and having faith. I believed that a miracle could happen.
Just like the boy who left City of Hope with his family – Julie left the link so we could read about it. It brought tears to my eyes – the joy that his mother must have felt. God was good to them.
When Julie wrote that it was over for Pat, I questioned my faith and wondered why God let this happen.
After reading the anonymous blog today, I can't help but wonder now if Pat was already given his miracle some 40 or so year's ago and because of the type of Leukemia he had I now believe he was already granted his extended life.
As an outsider looking in and viewing the writings of Julie, he was good to her and their children – to be able to work with his father Henry, his brother Robert, his sister Mary Beth and with Bob, Julie’s dad takes a special bond, for that you can be grateful for the laughter he brought to you and the blogs show he was loved by many, it all says so much in the world today.
I take comfort in the belief that God does have a plan and I am beginning to believe that part of God’s plan was for Pat to meet you Julie and have the children you have – they were meant to be… and with that I have no doubt in my mind that your children will do great things. I also believe that God gave you these children and you to them and that will help hold you all up to be stronger than you already are.
To all of Pat’s family - you have been blessed to have experienced so much more than so many people could only dream of.
We are sorry for your loss, your pain and the emptiness and with time we hope they will turn to bring joy as you hope for.
I think I now know what Bruce was saying about “kind of makes you wonder what God is trying to say to those who are praying for you when the Chemo didn’t work” –
I am writing this to you in hopes that this will bring some comfort to you during this sad time. You shared a very private part of your life to so many of us and speaking for myself, your journey has helped me in many ways that you will never know…
God Bless you all
Lis & Dave
Julie and family,
Please accept my sincere condolences. Some of us from Pat's old high school have been in communication and we have had him in our thoughts and prayers. Take one day at a time and treasure all the memories. He is not gone but now looking down upon you. God Bless.
JULIE AND FAMILY...
THANKS FOR LETTING US BE A PART OF YOUR SPECIAL EVENING......IT WAS GREAT TO MEET YOU AND TO GET TO KNOW PAT JUST A LITTLE BETTER.... I ESPECIALLY LIKED YOUR COMMMENT..
AND PRAYER FOR EVERYONE..."DONT JUST ENJOY THE FOOD....BUT..ENJOY THE FAMILY TOO TOMORROW...EVER SINGLE ONE OF THEM....LIFE IS SHORT"
AND YOUR DADS COMMENTS WERE ON TARGET TOO......ESPECIALLY PATS FAVORITE SAYING...."IT IS WHAT IT IS"....WE ALL NEED TO THINK ABOUT THAT ONE....SO....PATS IMPACT CONTINUES TO MAKE A POINT...
WARM HUGS.....JERRY AND JACQUIE,POPS AND GRAMS...
Julie and family,
It was such a blessing to join in the celebration of life for Pat. I admire your strength and your incredible faith. It has and will continue to carry you through.
I am especially thankful for the way you all included Ally as a part of your family. Pat was an incredibly special part of her life. Ally had a special bond with him, like none other I had ever seen. I feel truly blessed that you all became a "family" to her and welcomed her always. You were all there for us when we needed it most, and I pray we are able to do the same for you.
I am especially proud of Brock for having the courage to stand up in front of everyone and share about Pat. I know that was incredibly difficult for him.
Please know that we will keep you all in our prayers. We are a phone call away if you need anything at all, even just someone to talk to.
Thank you for your inspiration to "seize the day"
Blessings and Hugs
Julie and kids-
We were so touched by Pat's "Celebration". We loved listening to everyone who spoke tonight. We know how hard it must have been for you...Julie, and Brock to speak at a time like this. You both did beautiful! We also loved the video of Pat. He had such a peaceful smile in every picture. There were so many people there for his day. What a "Gentle Giant" he was! You all have much to be proud of. Have a blessed Thanksgiving.....
With love to you all-
Sweeney's
Dear Smith Family,
We are out of town, and just received the news of Pat's passing. Our prayers are with you and Pat.
Karen and Mark Schadrack
Dear Julie, and All,
What a beautiful tribute to an incredible man. You did so good Julie, Brock, Bob, Nancy, and all who spoke. I know the coming days, months and years are going to be so difficult, but all I can say, don't lose your faith. Rely on Almighty God. Pat and his willingness to stay strong for his family to the very end is certainly to be commended. He was so powerful in bringing I'm sure many people to the Lord. What a legacy. Now I am sure he is smiling down, and saying....I did good.
Love and Blessings Always,
Aunt Mary
I still log on several times a day - not sure why....I know there is not going to be an "update"...but, it just makes me feel so close to Pat when I read all the blogs. Pat will forever be in my heart. I will never forget my big brother! I LOVE YOU PAT AND I KNOW WE WILL SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN SOMETIME. Julie, Brady, Brock and Chloe...WE LOVE YOU!!!
I too log on many times a day... Just wanting to read what people have to say about my wonderful brother.. I have such a strange void inside myself that I know with time will heal. Like Maribeth said Pat will FOREVER be in all our hearts! We will all be together again... Thanks to Julie,Brady,Brock and Chloe for being so wonderful to Pat.. Love, Sandy
Post a Comment