A Memorable Mother's Day

All of the off-spring of the Leonard kids of Plainview are special in their own way. But John was extra special, because he was the first -- and for a long time, the only off-spring. He was almost three-years older than his brother, more than seven years older than his sister, and more than nine years older than his oldest cousin. He was the first to make his Mom & Dad parents -- the first grandson, the first nephew -- he was "the Dean" of the next generation and fulfilled that role so well in so many different ways.

Although I'm sure there were trips to the barber beforehand, my first memory of my then only son and I going out on just a guy's outing was when we went to buy flowers for John's Mom for Mothers' Day in 1978. JW was not quite two-years-old. It was just the two of us and John William was so excited at the prospect of buying something for his Mom. He, of course, helped pick out the flowers and you can see his excitement in the adjacent photo. Every child loves his or her mom; but anyone who ever saw JW and his Mom knew that his love for his mother was something very special indeed -- it is truly a love that is never ending.

Thanks for the sweet memories, son; thanks for the everlasting love we share.

A Special Day

It was two years ago this weekend that Jes attended her commencement ceremonies, having graduated from St. Mary's College of Maryland the previous December. With the pomp and circumstance of graduation, along with the big party afterwards, it was a big day. It was a special day for another reason as well -- for that was the day that we all got to meet Alex for the first time. I'm not too sure she ever forgave John for that. It is, of course, always stressful to "meet the parents" for the first time. But imagine adding to that the grandparents, the siblings, the aunts and the uncles and all the related kin and friends, and you can imagine what kind of day it must have been for Alex. Nonetheless, I guess she did forgive him after that -- because from the very first time we saw them together, we knew that John and Alex were meant for each other. We are so glad that the last year of JW's life was his happiest, and that was all due to Alex.

Another Beautiful Remembrance

Recall the posting from last year by Bridget, John's friend and high school classmate. Bridget has her own family blog at which she recently posted a beautiful remembrance as to The Miracle of April 7th. Her posting can be found here.

Jes' Blog Entry

The folks at the Washington Regional Transplant Community were struck by the simple beauty of Jes' Blog posting of a remembrance to her brother and the ultimate gift he gave to others. Their link to it can be seen here.

A Grandmother's Love

It was five years ago today that John's Mammy (Dad's Mom) , preceded John to heaven. After Mammy's funeral, all the grandchildren were given an inscribed photo; John's is to the right. For the next four years, JW proudly displayed this photo in his living room. It is still on his bookshelf at Mom's & Dad's home. JW and Mammy, of course, are at home together in heaven, looking down on all of us with eternal love.

Lucky Girl

It's a beautiful, sunny day.
Immediately, I want to share my thoughts with you.
I go to my phone, to call like old times,
But suddenly, my worst nightmare again comes true.

I can no longer hear your voice,
Get infected by your laugh,
Vent all my frustrations to you,
And listen when you vent back.

But in this moment of complete despair,
When I start to feel so sorry for me,
I realize how much I WAS able to tell you,
And in this moment, I become free.

How we shared so many experiences,
The good, the bad, but mostly the great;
With both friends and the fam.
I have no regrets,
I now take life to the fullest,
I realize how lucky I am.

Memorial Additions

Thanks to Mary & Tom as well as Gail for the lovely additions.

The Blossoms Have Faded

But not the memories -- thanks to Alex, Steve & Sue, and Mary Ann & Tom for the cherry tress which serve as a living memorial.

A Beautiful Rememberance of John

This blog was created to allow ALL of John's friends and family to share their remembrances of JW. It is a virtual and hopefully perpetual memorial to his life here on earth. The below is a perfect example of such a remembrance which was recently shared with us by our dear friend Joayn and is reproduced with her kind concurrence.


Dear Clarice & Bill:

I think of JW all the time, but of course this weekend, in a special way. I am making a quilt for Crystal & Stephen II & because of that have been going through old pictures. I "cracked up" when I found this one. I love it because to me, it is JW.

The background on this is that it was taken when Jes & Stephen II made their 1st communion. Stephen II received a camera (his first) that day. He was like a crazy boy taking pictures of everything (which reminds me -- if you need a shot of your downstairs bathroom -- I have it!!). Any way, I can only imagine that Stephen II "conned" JW into allowing him to take this. To me the look on JW's face is that of an understanding, but less than thrilled, older brother. It is full of love, understanding & charm & I love it -- him & you.

Much love,

Joayn


Thank you so much, Joayn, for sharing this special memory. We encourage all to share similar memories, either by posting to the blog our by sending directly to us for posting. Would be blog posters need simply send an email to johnnywehardlyknewye@gmail.com .

Remembering John

This past Sunday, April 6th, we had the opportunity to have a get together consisting of Papa, Mike, Gina, Aunt Ticia, Uncle Ken, Mary Ann & Tom plus Mom & Dad as well as Jes, in spirit, who had come down for her big bro's birthday celebration the day before and was in route back to Ithaca. While there is not a minute of the day or night that we are not mindful of JW, it was appropriate at the one year mark to do something special to commemorate John's passing from this world to the next.

First, sitting around the same dinning room table that the Leonard family has sat around for over 30 years forming many fond family memories -- and which the DiStefano and Corso family had sat around for the 50 years before that -- we lit the candle that will forever symbolize John's presence at all future family gatherings around that table, next to our favorite black & white photo of JW.

Following that, Dad took out the box that John's co-workers had filled last year with JW's personal effects from his office. While such possessions are at times banal, they also tend to be intimate representations of our personality since they are what we choose to surround ourselves for the significant part of our life that we spend at work.

From that box, Mom & Dad presented to Papa JW's calendar which had been opened to March 1, 2004, since it contained a quote from John's Dad. It represented John's pride in his Dad and, by presenting it to Papa, Dad's pride in his father. Mom got the lace from Brussels, representing all our fond family memories from when we lived in Belgium. Dad got JW's camel caravan carved in olive wood picked up during JW's travels to Jordon. Mike & Gina got John's Virginia Tech Alumni cup filled with John's loose change, since both of them have stepped up to fill John's shoes as fanatic fans of VT athletics -- even if VT didn't even make the NCAA basketball playoffs this season. Jes got a similar mug filled with even more loose change, this one from St. Mary's College of Maryland and which Jes had previously presented to John as a gift (the year she did her Christmas shopping in the campus book store). Aunt Ticia and Uncle Ken got John's piece of the Berlin wall which the Leonard kids had personally chopped out of the wall shortly after it fell (although as related in this earlier post, they complained about not being able to instead stay in the hotel and see for the umpteenth time the movie The Karate Kid).

Mary Ann & Tom, in addition to getting a small Greek plate, another one of John's souvenirs from his frequent overseas travels, were also assigned the task of deciding whether Mike or Jes would get John's home charger for his iPod, since the loving siblings could not decide among themselves who should get it. Dad recommended an essay contest -- 40 words or less, in order to decide the worthy recipient. You can see all of these mementos by clicking on the below picture.

Mementos

After dinner, we all moved outside to John's memorial. Recall this earlier post where we discussed John's homemade beer. After college, John had made a batch of brew for a few successive years but gave up when it never turned out to his desired perfection. For his last Christmas, John asked for the homemade brew kit again and made it early in 2007. He faithfully tracked its aging process in a spread sheet on his laptop -- it was suppose to ferment for about 4-6 months. Well, by now, the beer was well over a year old, but we decided to open it up and try it out at his memorial and drink a toast to JW. As you can see by clicking on the picture below, the beer was actually pretty good. Even Mom had a taste. I guess the longer the aging, the better the taste. Also as you can see in the pictures, Mary Ann and Tom presented Mom & Dad with a plaque for JW's memorial. Mike & Dad then each smoked a cigar to John's memory, although as you can see in the pictures, Mike had problems lighting his cigar in the cold damp air, even with Dad and Gina attempting to shield the wind.

All we can say John, is thanks for the sweet memories, thanks for being you, thanks for your everlasting love.

One Year Later

One Year Later

It's April 7th -- it's been one year. While there is an urge to write something profound at this point in time, the English language does not do justice to what we feel. All we can say, JW, is that even if we knew at the time you were born over 31 years ago, we would loose you so prematurely, we would say so be it -- nothing can compare to the joy you have brought to the lives of your mother and father, to your brother and sister, to Alex, to your Papa and Mammy, to your Grandma, to your Aunts and Uncles and to all your family and friends. And we would not change one iota how we lived our lives together. Nothing between us went unsaid. Furthermore, the pain of your loss pales in comparison to the enrichment you have given to so many others by the way you lived your life and gave to so many others in your simple and unassuming ways. What is extraordinary about you is not the circumstances of your death but rather the unassuming way in which you lived your life and gave to so many others. And somehow you continue to touch others by your otherworldly presence. It is a true parent's blessing to need to live up to the example set by the child. Thank you for so much, thank you for being you, thank you for the everlasting love we share.

John and the Nats

Spring has sprung and among other things, the baseball season is upon us, and as most baseball fans know, the Washington Nationals opened the season this past Sunday in their brand new ball park. Two of my many favorite memories of JW deal with the Nationals.

First, it was one year ago tomorrow that John went to see a Nationals ball game at RFK stadium with Mike, Gina, Jes and Alex in order to celebrate Mike's birthday. JW, of course, was hurting and he showed it -- so much so that Mike told John that he looked bad and he should just go home and bag the game. JW would have nothing of it and -- despite the pain -- told Mike, "no, Bro, it's your birthday and we're going to celebrate it." That's simply the type of guy John was.

The other memory was when the Nationals first came to town several years ago (having moved from Montreal). John immediately went out and brought for himself a Nationals ball cap -- and made sure he got their home cap. As you can see in the accompanying picture, the Nats home cap is red with a big "W" on it. Washington being the political town it is, when I told John that supporters of our current President adopted the cap as a show of support for Bush and his policies (what it being red with a big "W") John was shocked that he unknowingly may have demonstrated such support. He immediately threw the hat in his closet and never wore it again. Instead, he went out a brought the Nats away cap, which of course, is blue (for the good guys).

Renewal Peaked

Apparently, the cherry tress in Southern Maryland don't adhere to the schedule set forth in the Washington Post since it appears that John's Blossoms have peaked -- at least the tree furthest in the distance in the first picture (closest in the second). However, the tree closest in the first picture is only peaking now. Check back to see how many blossoms remain for the next week.

Two Ladies with a Cool Cat in a Hot Town

(Along with a Pseudo-gnome)
Recall the earlier posting which depicted the route taken by Alex and Jes in their cross-country travels with Alex's cat, Zeus. As promised, Alex has made pictures of the trip available and they can be seen by clicking on the below pictures. The references to the pseudo-gnome involves the waylaid plans of Alex and Jes to take the VT Gnome with them on the trip. Due to last minute changes in plans because of Jes' difficulties in getting a flight out of Ithaca, the gnome was inadvertently left at JW's memorial. Thus, Alex and Jes had to scrounge around for a last-minute replacement and you can see what they came up with in the below pictures.

Cross Country Trip

Yet More Renewal

BLOSSOM WATCH

Requium Redux

Recall the earlier posting regarding a dear radio show and how on April 7th we looked upon it as a fitting requiem for John, especially since part of it was recorded that fateful Saturday afternoon. Once again, Vin's show was on Easter Sunday eve and his musical selection was most appropriate when reflecting upon John's life. It can be found here by simply scrolling down to the show for March 22nd.

The Blooms Keep on Renewing

According to the Washington Post, they should peak on John's big little brother's birthday, April 3rd.

Still Renewing

Per the earlier posts here, here, and here, the season's still renewing!

Catholic Standard Article

Our local archdiocesan newspaper, the Catholic Standard, recently did a feature article on Mother Catherine Spalding School. In it, they made mention of the technology scholarship fund established by John's family and friends in his memory. You can read the entire article by clicking on each individual picture.

Renewal (Con't)

Track the progress from post to post.

Scholarship Fund Update

A tax-deductible charitable scholarship fund in John's memory has been established at Mother Catherine Spalding School. For those interested, tax-deductible contributions can be made to:

MCSS for J.W. Leonard Technology Scholarship

and can be mailed to:

Mother Catherine Spalding School
Helen, MD 20635

Thanks to all for your continuing generosity and for helping the "Big Geek foster a lot of little geeks."

Renewal (Con't)

Per the earlier post, the blossoms continue to progress.

Another Road Trip

The weekend of March 7th, Alex headed to San Francisco to embark on the next phase of her life plan. Of the many passions John and Alex shared, one was a sense of adventure. In that vein, Alex was determined to drive cross country to her new home and job and visit New Orleans along the way. To do so, she enlisted John's sister Jes in the cause and together with Alex's cat Zeus, they set off on an over 3,300 mile journey westward. Their itinerary is depicted on the map above (click on the map to see their route in detail). Check back for pictures of their trip, with JW looking over them all along the way.

Renewal

Another year -- spring is here -- and perpetual life manifests itself all around us. Recall that central to John's memorial is a bench shaded by three cherry trees that are identical to those surrounding the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC. One of John’s last days was spent lying with Alex under the cherry trees at the Tidal Basin while they were in full bloom. His memorial was intended, in part, to forever bloom on the upcoming anniversary and as you can tell by these pictures, that anniversary is approaching. Check back often to see how this living memorial continues to manifest itself and remind us of the beauty of John's life, both earthly and heavenly.

Today is Easter

Today is Easter and a time to especially remember JW. Last Easter, God welcomed John home. Now he watches over all of us, protecting and nourishing all those he loved during his short life.

John's love for his Mom and Dad, Jess, Mike, Alex, Gina and all his friends and family is eternal. Our love for him is also eternal...extending beyond the world as we can understand it. JW is with us every day, in our hearts and in our spirit.

JW, Happy Easter!

love, Aunt Susan & Uncle John

Yet Another Photo of John

...we had not seen before. Here is John and Alex on the Mall in DC at a kickball game -- most likely in June '06.

John's Pel Tech

This past Wednesday, a check was presented to the principal at Mother Catherine Spalding School conveying the proceeds of John's memorial scholarship to date. Again, many thanks to all who contributed. A tax deductible fund will be established at the school shortly which can receive additional contributions in John's memory. Details will be provided soon. In the meantime, for those who want to know more about how this fund will be used, you can go to this earlier post.

Papa's Big 85th Birthday Celebration

This past weekend, the Leonard clan got together to celebrate John's granddad's (Papa) 85th birthday. A memorable time was had by all -- and memories of John and his grandmother (Mammy) added to the specialness of the evening. Papa offered reflections on memories involving all, to include his grandchildren. Of course, it was John who first made Papa and Mammy grandparents, being the first of six grandchildren. One of Papa's memories of JW entailed JW's Uncle John, who many years ago was a builder of homes. In that vein, on a trip to Monticello with his Mom, Dad, Mammy and Papa, JW asked if his Uncle John had built Thomas Jefferson's famous architectural achievement high on a hill in overlooking Charlottesville, Virginia. We don't know if his Uncle John used the comment in his advertising after that, but apparently that is one of the reason why JW became a computer engineer and not a liberal arts major like his Mom and Dad.

A Big Thank You

We have become aware lately of individuals who have made contributions to John's Scholarship Fund who have not received an acknowledgment from us. We have talked to Bank of America and they have acknowledged that they have had a problem in consistently informing us of contributions to the fund so that we can provide an appropriate acknowledgment. Nonetheless, we are distressed at the thought that individuals have made thoughtful contributions (to include one truly significant contribution) and yet have not received our personal heartfelt thanks.

If you have made such a contribution and did not intend to remain anonymous yet did not receive our personal thanks, please accept this imperfect substitution. Also, please do not hesitate to mention to us if you believe your contribution (either in John's or his Grandma's memory) falls into this category. In the meantime, we anticipate establishing a formal, tax exempt fund directly at Mother Catherine Spalding School in John's memory in the near future. Thank you for your understanding and your continued generosity.

The current balance of the scholarship fund is a whopping $50,434.77.

The Rock (Part Two)

Recall the earlier posting about the rock from Alcatraz which Alex made certain to bring back to John. There is now a companion rock on the other side of John's headstone, a rock from the Inca Trail in Peru. This rock, however, will someday be returned to its original resting place by John's family. In the meantime, it is a fitting reminder of John's adventurous spirit and love of life.