I thought I'd start with Eulogies given by those who loved Lorraine and were very important to her.
The first was by her sister and best friend, Lisa Marie Colletti Pickett.
Growing up, I was very blessed to be raised in such a caring and loving family. I was especially lucky, because I had a closeness with my sister that most of our peers at that time did not share. People used to be amazed at how well we got along with each other and how we seldom argued. Lorraine did not take advantage of her status as the older sibling, and always allowed me to play with her toys, rummage through her room, and included me when she had her friends over.
Throughout her battle with cancer as a child, the disease conquered many things, including her vision and her health, however - it never changed the dynamic of our relationship. The love and the closeness remained and grew even stronger. I felt a strong need to protect her from any cruel words or stares she received from kids when she lost her hair, and she always comforted and cuddled me when I was scared or sad about what she was going through. I cant even remember how many times she would be laying in her hospital bed, or sitting in a wheel chair, and have ME in her lap telling me that its going to be okay.
Throughout her later high school years and into her college career, I watched in amazement as my sister soared through this life with no limits. She traveled to Spain, discovered love, and fully enjoyed every aspect of "college life" while earning her Bachelors degree. Her time at Beacon College was definitely Lorraine’s happiest time of her life. I recall visiting her at school, and she was always surrounded by friends. Always a boyfriend doting on her, and just completely independent. It is the happiest I ever remember seeing her.
Aside of course - from when she became an Aunt to my firstborn. I can still remember her smile from ear to ear the day that that Joshua was born. She could not wait to spoil her new nephew. She was my go-to babysitter and she always thanked ME for the chance to take care of him. Now for reasons unknown to any of us, Joshua started calling his Aunt Lorraine "G". Jeremy was born, and in his defense - we all called her G at this point, so it just stuck. Throughout the years, G showered her nephews with love and affection, and the kids knew they pretty much had an all access account to her M&Ms stash in her purse, the toy that Mom and Dad said was too expensive, or stay up just a little later because G was there. She loved my boys as if they were her own, and even though I know she wanted so badly to be married and have a family, she never resented me for having what she wanted and could not have. If anything she helped to remind me how lucky I am, and how sometimes when things may seem unfair, I should be thankful for what I have.
If I had to use one word to describe my sister, it would be that she was selfless. She was the most caring person I have ever met. She taught me everyday how to be a better person. She was always teaching by example - even when none of us realized it, she was speaking to us. She taught us to be humble, by enjoying the simple things in life that most of us take for granted. Every time I was in the car with her, aside from making sure everyone had their seatbelts on - if she heard an ambulance siren, she said a prayer right then and there for whoever was hurt.
If she heard someone cuss or say the Lords name in vain, either a stranger, someone on tv, or even if it was me - she said a prayer for God to forgive them and that SHE was sorry. She was the most pure person I have ever known, and even as her disease would sometimes altar her personality in ways that was beyond her control - you could still see the purity in her heart.
I have so many memories of my sister. So many phases of our life. My fondest memories will always be our childhood vacations at the beach playing in the ocean, riding our bikes through our old neighborhood and serving Mom breakfast in bed on Mothers Day and watching her force the food down with a smile. I am going to miss playing our countless games of rummy, doing our hair and make up before a day out on the town, and watching our favorite old 80's movies together.
For the first time in the last four years- after standing up here saying goodbye to yet another family member - I can honestly say that I truly do feel some comfort knowing that she is finally at peace. And she is with her Holy Father God and her family that went before her.
Before I finish, I want to recognize some people for what part they played in Lorraine’s life.
Mom and Dad - Being a mother now, has helped me to understand better how hard it must have been for you to watch your baby go through everything she did. I am amazed at how strong you were to not only provide her with the best medical care that you did, but allowing Lorraine to lead the most normal life that she was capable of. I can't imagine how scary it must have been knowing she was legally blind - and still allow her to ride her bike, go ice skating, ride the city bus to get around - and to have her independence. It must have made you crazy to allow her to do these things, but you allowed her the life you fought so hard to save. You kept searching schools until you found one that fit - you gave her the chance to experience living life to the fullest. I am so proud that you are my parents
Daniel - You have always been my biggest support system concerning my sister. Never once did you ever complain that we had her over the house too much. Never did you show any kind of anger or frustration when there were times that it may have been difficult. You were always so kind to her, and always showed so much patience. You never treated her or talked to her differently, and I know she appreciated that. On more then one occasion she told me that she felt so close to you and loved you as her own brother. And I am thankful that you were the brother she needed in her life when her brother couldn’t be there.
Al and Lisa* - Throughout the last four years, my family has gone through so much and I truly believe that God gave us two angels on earth to help us get through it. I just wanted you both to know how much your love and kindness throughout the last several months has meant to us. Your love and support shines through so brightly and is so genuine. I know Dad would be so grateful for how you have been there for Mom and Lorraine. You both are the most beautiful modern day example of the "good samaritan".
I love you Rainy....and we'll be together again one day.
*Al and Lisa are our next door neighbors and were truly wonderful.
The next was from Joshua Pickett, Lisa and Daniel's son, Lorraine's nephew and her and Ricky's Godchild (age 11.)
When I was very small my Aunt Lorraine used to babysit me a lot. She took care of me when my Mom went back to work before my brother was born and for some reason I started calling her “G”. I’m not really sure why I called her that, but somehow it just stuck and then before I knew it - everyone referred to our Aunt Lorraine as “G”.
I remember her taking me to the movies or to the park and walking me to the dollar store and buying me stuff. And sometimes when me and my brother would goto her house to spend the night, she got all kinds of fun stuff for us to do, with special treats.
After she had her stroke she began to act a little differently then she had used to. But she always made sure to let me know how much she loved me. She used to talk a lot about when she was a kid and who her favorite teachers were. She also talked about how sometimes other kids were mean to her because she was different. And I always made sure growing up that I would never judge or treat anyone badly because they were different.
She was my God Mother and was there for my baptism and my First Communion and she always reminded me to pray and to not use the Lords name in vain. She always taught me to be a good big brother and a good friend.
I will always remember everything she taught me and do my best to make her proud. I know she is now in a better place and is no longer suffering and she is no longer blind. I hope she is with Uncle Ricky and grandpa and is driving a pretty red convertible with the top down.
The next came from Jeremy James Pickett (age 9), Joshua's brother and Lorraine's nephew.
I loved my Aunt Lorraine very much. She was very special to me. She would always spoil me by buying me stuff, she always wanted me to have anything I wanted. When she came over we would watch movies and played cards together, our favorite games were War and Go-fish. She would also tell me all about when she was my age and talk about the things her and my mom did together when they were kids.
I will miss her coming over to spend the night and doing things with us. She was always there for my birthday and for Christmas and Easter. She used to even come on Halloween and go trick or treating with us.
The last time I saw her she was sleeping a lot and not really talking or opening her eyes. I gave her a hug goodbye and said “I love you G”, and she said “I love you too Jeremy”, and that was the last thing she said to me. *
I’m going to miss you G and I hope that you are happy in heaven with Uncle Ricky and Grandpa. I hope there are lots of babies in heaven you can take care of because I know you always wanted a baby of your own.
I love you.
*Her "I love you too, Jeremy" were her last words.
This was by Karen Marie Patti - Karen is my niece, my sister Lorraine's middle child (of 5) and was chosen to speak for my side of the family. Karen spent a lot of time with Lorraine her last year, both here and Virginia and I was so blessed to have her and her (my) family here during this most difficult time.
My name is Karen Patti. I am a first cousin to Lorraine and maybe a little bit like a big sister. I had the privilege of spending several summers in Florida as a young girl and teen. Our family was from NY so although my visits to Florida weren’t frequent, they were typically long in duration. Sometimes we visited as an entire family and sometimes I came on my own for several weeks over the summer to help my aunt when my cousins were young. I will treasure those memories of spending time with the family whether it was on our beach trips, Disney World or other Florida attractions, or just hanging around the house swimming, learning to sew, playing with the kids and of course eating!
Lorraine always held a special place in my heart as does Lisa. Along with their big brother Ricky, they were my only cousins from my mom’s side. Family has been and always will be a treasured part of my life and I know I speak for my siblings and mom as well.
I have always admired Lorraine’s perseverance in life. Despite her many obstacles and disabilities, she continued to push through the challenges, wanting to do things on her own, even when it was difficult. She tried not to complain or focus on what she couldn’t do, but instead she was persistent in challenging herself to go above and beyond what most may have anticipated.
I remember her visits to my home in Virginia. She loved my three boys as she did all children. She desired to help me care for them and would always love playing with them. As they grew, she always asked about the boys and genuinely cared about how they were doing.
Her tender heart and unconditional love for people always amazed me. It didn’t matter if she knew you well or not at all, she treated you with respect and genuine care. On a recent visit I had with Lorraine, I took her to Main Street in town. We were going to get our nails done and have some ice cream. As I was wheeling her down the street, she asked me to stop so she could talk to the person walking toward us. My initial response was hesitant, but she insisted that I stop and that she just wanted to say hello. It was so beautiful to watch as Lorraine asked this stranger how her day was going and sincerely care. She was an amazing example of Christ’s love to a person she didn’t even know.
She loved the Lord with all her heart and although we will all miss her, she knew it was time to go to be with Jesus and all her loved ones who had gone before her. She was ready to go home – her eternal resting place. She did so courageously and confidently.
It saddened her to know we would grieve and mourn her loss, but you couldn’t help rejoice with her knowing that as believers in Christ we would be united forever in eternal glory. Until we meet again sweet Lorraine!
Karen Greytak Borrelli represented my husband Jimmy's side of the family. She was Lorraine's first cousin.
Hello Everyone, I am Lorraine's 1st cousin, Karen Borrelli. I am here to speak on behalf of the Colletti Family. My Mother Phyllis and My Uncle Eddy are Jim Colletti’s sister and brother. Mary Colletti is their sister in law.
Let me just begin by saying that we all miss Lorraine and Love her so very much.
I would just love to explain to someone who didn’t know Lorraine, just how good she was. Maybe Good isn't the right word, Great!! Not Great like follow all the rules Great (which she also did) but Great meaning so much more than Good can explain. She was truly the definition of Goodness to the highest power. Lorraine taught us all here so much more in her short 35 years of life than some of us will learn our whole lives through. She taught us strength, unconditional love and most of all faith. Lorraine had more faith than anyone I have ever met in life. Not just the kind of faith you would have in the Lord, which she had tri-fold. But the faith in people, faith that all people were as good as she was.
Lorraine was loving, and caring, and selfless. she never had a bad thing to say about anyone. She never let on her pain or her sight problems to strangers, no less a relative. She was always concerned about others before herself. Lorraine had such true love for her family, such kindness for strangers, and for anyone she was just told about whom was having problems. Lorraine also prayed more than anyone I know and it was so sincere when she told you she would pray for you or someone you knew Somehow she just made you feel better knowing that she was praying and everything would be ok.
I really want everyone to know how TRUE Lorraine was. She loved her Mother, Sister & Brother-in-law, nephews and nieces so much, as well as all her cousins, Aunts, Uncles and Friends. Lorraine never spoke to any of us without saying “I love you!”. She loved and missed her brother Ricky and her Daddy Jimmy terribly, but was so strong in helping anyone else deal with the loss of them both.
What I would like to end here today saying is No matter who you are or were to Lorraine Colletti, you should consider yourself Lucky to have known a true “ANGEL ON EARTH”. I know how much her loving and caring ways will be missed by us all. I know there will truly always be an empty space in our hearts and lives here on Earth without Lorraine. But I am sure each and every one of our lives that were touched by hers has learned something from Lorraine.
We cannot say Goodbye to my sweet cousin Lorraine, only so long for now, for I know we will all see her again someday when it is our time.
If everyone here today would just take an example from Rainy and help Mary, her Mother, Lisa her sister, Daniel her brother in law, Joshua and Jeremy her nephews and Jessica and Kaylee her nieces to find the strength and Faith to get through yet another difficult time in this life, But remind yourselves and all of those I just mentioned that Lorraine is now at true PEACE, in no more pain, no more illness, she can now see and walk (and hopefully drive, because all she ever wanted to do was drive!) and with our Lord God, her Daddy, Ricky, and her grandparents and truly finally at peace!
Thank You, and God Bless.
We were privileged to have Deborah Brodbeck, the President of Beacon College for 19 years (now President Emeritus.) She left her daughter, Kristen Brunelle, in New York after spine surgery, and after the funeral, went back to help her through several more procedures. She spoke of Lorraine's days at Beacon with great pride and affection, and gave everyone a view of her talents we didn't know about. She Spoke without notes, but said she has it all in her heart and head, and will write it out and send it to me as soon as she gets home an has a spare minute. Thank you, Deborah, not only for coming, but for all you did for Lorraine.
Ron Novotny, Ph.D and STL (which means he is a psychologist and Theologian) and his wife Adrienne Novotny, M.ed, are the Directors of the Cenacle of Our Lady of Divine Providence School of Spirituality in Clearwater. They teach and train qualified applicants from all over the country to become spiritual directors. They have also been close friends to my family and me for over 25 years, and have also played a very large part in Lorraine's life. Ron was the last person she ask to speak to before she left us, and he did speak to her on the phone.
Adrienne spoke first.
My name is Adrienne Novotny. My husband, Ron, and I are privileged to say a few words at the conclusion of this beautiful celebration of Lorraine’s entrance into eternal life.
Ron and I first met Lorraine when she was 7 or 8 years old and both of our families lived in Tampa. I remember her as a loving, gentle girl with a beautiful, peaceful spirit. She remained this way throughout the years, even when the trials of illness and physical struggle came upon her. Lorraine always had a strong faith in God and an ever present trust in Divine Providence. This was evident in her constant strength and courage through the many years of loss of vision, medical exams, diagnostic tests, surgeries and painful recoveries. She seldom complained or expressed anger or resentment at her lot in life.
Lorraine was always affectionate and generous and unselfish in her relationships with others, especially in her desire and willingness to pray for others who had needs much less than her own. If someone expressed any personal need or illness to her, she would immediately put her hands on the person and pray for healing. Her prayers were powerful and consoling.
The scripture passage that comes to mind that applies perfectly to Lorraine is from Matt: 5 of the Beatitudes – “blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God.” Lorraine, in my mind, was the ongoing example of what it means to be pure of heart. She loved purely and completely all of those in her life - family and friends - and she always offered full and complete forgiveness to anyone who hurt her or offended her. She retained her sweet, gentle nature even when confronted with the ongoing challenges of her bodily pains and loss of vision.
Lorraine had that special gift of always being childlike, not childish. Even in her adult years she retained the innocence and simplicity and trustful nature of a child. Jesus has said “Let the children come to me.” Lorraine wanted to be with Jesus and said so often. We will miss her physical presence in our lives, but we rejoice today that her suffering has ended and that she now enjoys the eternal happiness of Heaven in the loving arms of Jesus and His Mother.
Ron spoke next:
Adrienne and I were with the Colletti’s in the hospital the night the surgeon removed Lorraine’s brain tumor which would leave her with a very small visual window through which to see the world. Her eyes of faith, however, were not damaged. It was through those faith-filled eyes that she would judge reality.
I can still see Lorraine in my mind’s eye sitting across from me in my office. She was a skinny 5th grader, curled up on the chair dressed in her St. Patrick’s school uniform. She was bubbly and seemed wiser than her years. Due to her Catholic upbringing and the education at St Patrick’s, she believed in God and spoke freely about her faith.
As the years passed her limited eyesight diminished, strokes occurred, and constant pain accompanied her. But it is not the impairment or illnesses that I will recall. I will always remember that she remained a woman of faith. Yes she was human and would ask “Why me”, but she was quick to believe in God’s plan for her and offer up her pain.
She would come to my office for a visit to talk and to ask for prayer. The ongoing ailments and pain took their toll, but she bowed before the mystery of suffering. In the final years, time had run its course and she wanted to go home to the Lord. She had carried her burdens far too long. I prayed with her over the phone.
Adrienne and I visited her two weeks before her death and again the day before she died as she lay unconscious. In the conversation two weeks before, she and I talked alone about her death and her looking forward to seeing her dad and brother. She knew that God is real and awaited her.
Lorraine, like all believers, knew that she was in the hands of a providential God and that nothing happens by chance. And so it happened that the Lord would take her to himself on the Feast of St. Lucy, the patron saint of blindness. As the legend of Lucy ends with God restoring her eyes, so Lorraine’s life ends with the light of Jesus filling her blinded eyes.
All of us believers here today know and rejoice that Lorraine opened her eyes, now healed, and looked into the eyes of her Lord.
I went last - I was a little panicked because we had gone overtime and I knew I wouldn't have the time to read the whole thing, but I soon realized (thank you, God), that quite a few things I was going to say had already been covered by the others. I can't tell you exactly what I said, just copy here the original eulogy which I shortened.
Lorraine's mother:
MARY’S EULOGY
THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING. ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE COME A LONG WAY. I AM SO TOUCHED BY YOUR LOVE.
I HAVE HAD SO MANY PEOPLE SAY TO ME, “I CAN’T IMAGINE WHAT YOU’RE GOING THROUGH”, “I DON’T KNOW HOW CAN HANDLE THIS”. BUT I KNOW WHAT CARRIES ME - IT’S AN GOD’S GRACE AND SO MANY PRAYERS SAID FOR US BY FRIENDS, FAMILY, OUR PARISH, AND ESPECIALLY THE MARIAN SERVANTS WHO HAVE BEEN PRAYING A VERY VERY LONG TIME FOR LORRAINE AND MY FAMILY.
THE PRAYER ALSO BROUGHT ME THE PRACTICAL HELP I NEEDED. A COUPLE YEARS AGO WHEN SHE HAD THE LAST SURGERY TO REMOVE THE BRAIN TUMOR YET AGAIN, SHE ASKED ME TO PROMISE NO MORE SURGERY, NO MORE HOSPITALS, NO MORE TREATMENT.
I COULD NOT KEEP THAT PROMISE ON MY OWN, I HAD A LOT OF HELP . LISA AND DANIEL AND THE BOYS. LISA LEFT HER JOB AND CONSEQUENTLY THE HOUSE HER FAMILY WAS BUYING TO HELP ME. THEY TRAVELLED BACK AND FORTH, STAYING AT MY HOUSE, SOMETIMES SPLITTING BETWEEN THE TWO HOMES, SO MUCH SACRIFICE OF THEIR DAILY LIVES. ALL OF THEM DID IT W/O COMPLAINT B/C THEY LOVED LORRAINE SO MUCH. DANIEL,MADE THIS BEAUTIFUL URN WHICH TOOK A LOT OF WORK AND EVEN MORE TALENT. THE BOYS HAVE MISSED EVENTS, LOST SLEEP, SPENT TOO MANY HOURS IN THE CAR, HAD TO BE QUIET, AND WERE SO PATIENT AND LOVING TOWARD THEIR AUNT. THANK YOU I LOVE U ALL SO MUCH.
BOTH MY SISTER LORRAINE FROM AZ,, AND NIECE KAREN VA HAD LORRAINE AND I AT THEIR HOMES FOR EXTENDED VISITS WHEN LORRAINE MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT, AND THEN KAREN FLEW DOWN FOR A WEEK TO HELP ME BEFORE LISA LEFT HER JOB. THE GOOD SAMARITANS LISA MENTIONED, AL & LISA, MY NEXT DOOR NEIGHBORS, TRULY ARE THE THOSE JESUS DESCRIBED WHEN ASKED, “WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?”
THE FIRST TIME I WENT TO FATHER BOB ABOUT MY FEARS OF LORRAINE DYING, HE SMILED AND TOLD ME THAT SHE WAS GOING HOME, AND THERE WAS NOTHING TO FEAR. THIS WAS NOT HER HOME. IT HAS SUSTAINED ME. HE REALLY BELIEVED IT, AND MADE ME BELIEVE IT.
ANNETTE ASHER, LORRAINE’S HOSPICE NURSE AND HER TEAM WERE INCREDIBLE, AND MADE IT POSSIBLE TO LET LORRAINE GO FROM HER OWN BED IN HER OWN HOME HERE TO HER HOME IN HEAVEN.
ADRIENNE NOVOTNY HAS LISTENED TO MY FEARS FOR 27 YEARS, ALWAYS TURNING MY FOCUS TO TRUSTING THE LORD. RON NOVOTNY HAS BEEN LORRAINE’S COUNSELOR AND FRIEND SINCE SHE WAS A CHILD (AND THEY HAD CANCER TOGETHER) AND WAS ALWAYS THERE FOR HER DEEPEST QUESTIONS. HE WAS THE LAST PERSON SHE REACHED OUT TO.
LORRAINE FIRST GOT SICK AT 8 YEARS OLD. SHE WAS MISDIAGNOSED FOR THREE YEARS WITH NO RELIEF WHILE THE BRAIN TUMOR THAT HAD BEEN GROWING. TOOK HER VISION AND HEALTH, THE TUMOR AND TREATMENT RUINED HER BODY, SHE GOT SCARS, STRETCH MARKS ALL OVER FROM STEROIDS. SHE HAD OSTEOPOROSIS AND HAD A PAINFUL HIP REPLACEMENT. AND MORE BRAIN SURGERIES THAN I CAN REMEMBER.
THE EMOTIONAL PAIN SHE BORE WAS WORSE. MANY HAVE BEEN APATHETIC TOWARD HER. SHE HAS BEEN IGNORED, LEFT OUT, AND RIDICULED AS A CHILD AND AS AN ADULT, SOME BY THOSE WHO SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER.
YET ALONG THE WAY SHE TOUCHED SO MANY LIVES - MESSAGES KEEP ARRIVING WITH MEMORIES OF HER KINDNESS AND LOVE. HER COLLEGE ROOMMIE SHANIE WAS SO SHY, BUT LORRAINE BELIEVED IN HER, AND WHILE LORRAINE HAD A LOT OF BOYFRIENDS AT SCHOOL, SHANIE DIDN’T, SO SHE’D TAKE HER ON HER DATES. GOD BLESSED HER WITH BEACON COLLEGE - THEY WERE THE HAPPIEST FOUR YEARS OF HER LIFE AND I THANK HIM AND DEBORAH BRODBECK.
SHE SELDOM COMPLAINED, OR BECAME BITTER, NEVER BLAMED GOD OR ANYONE ELSE AND NEVER DOUBTED GOD’S LOVE FOR HER, OR HER FAITH IN HIM. SHE PRAYED NOT FOR HERSELF, BUT FOR OTHERS. IF I COMPLAINED OF A HEADACHE OR MY KNEES HURTING, SHE WOULD STOP WHAT SHE WAS DOING AND PLACE HER HANDS ON ME AND PRAY FOR MY HEALING.
SHE WAS SO KIND TO EVERYONE, DESPITE HOW SHE MAY HAVE BEEN TREATED. SHE REMAINED JOYFUL, AND FUNNY! SHE LAUGHED AT HERSELF AND MADE US LAUGH, SHE SMILED A LOT - ESPECIALLY IF THERE WAS BABY OR CHILD AROUND. HOW SHE LOVED THEM, AND I BELIEVE HER LARGEST CROSS WAS NOT HAVING ANY OF HER OWN. JESSICA, JOSHUA, JEREMY AND KAYLEE WERE HER CHILDREN HERE. I TOLD HER THAT I WAS SURE THAT WHEN SHE GOT TO HEAVEN, SHE WOULD BE IN CHARGE OF ALL THE BABIES WHOSE MOTHERS DIDN’T WANT THEM AND DID NOT GET A CHANCE TO BE BORN.
SHE ALSO HAD REAL ACTING TALENT. IN COLLEGE, SHE PLAYED MAJOR ROLES IN A PLAYHOUSE, AND I WAS SO AMAZED BECAUSE AFTER A FEW MINUTES, I FORGOT SHE WAS LORRAINE AND BECAME THE CHARACTER SHE WAS PLAYING. AT LISA AND DANIEL’S WEDDING, SHE WAS ASKED TO GIVE A TOAST. SHE DID GREAT, AND LISA AND DANIEL WERE SAYING SHE REALLY KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN SHE SAID, “WELL, NOW THAT THEY ARE MARRIED IN CHURCH MAYBE THEY WON’T USE CUSS WORDS ANYMORE.”
SHE REMAINED SWEET, AND GOOD AND BRAVE THROUGH IT ALL, AND I ALWAYS SAID SHE WAS THE NICEST PERSON I EVER MET, AND THAT SHE COULDN’T CARRY A GRUDGE IF YOU TIED IT TO HER BACK. I CARRIED THEM FOR HER, AND OFTEN NEEDED TO PRAY, “FATHER FORGIVE THEM FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO.” ..... SHE WAS TOO GOOD FOR THIS WORLD.
WHEN LORRAINE HAD A STROKE IN 2004, SHE SUFFERED THE EFFECTS OF IMPATIENCE AND ANGER, AND OCCASIONALLY ACTED OUT BADLY. IT BREAKS MY HEART THAT MY GRANDCHILDREN WILL NOT REMEMBER HER HOW SHE WAS BEFORE, ALWAYS PATIENT AND NEVER A CROSS WORD.
WHEN SHE HAD ACTED PARTICULARLY BADLY, SHE WOULD COME TO ME AFTERWARDS, TEARS STREAMING DOWN HER FACE, BEGGING ME TO FORGIVE HER, THAT SHE DIDN’T KNOW WHY SHE SAID OR DID WHAT SHE DID.
SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE HER DEATH, I TOOK HER TO AN AMY GRANT CONCERT, A CHRISTIAN SINGER, AND LORRAINE’S FAVORITE SINCE SHE WAS A CHILD. I HAD TAKEN HER TO SEVERAL OVER THE YEARS. WHEN SHE WAS 12 ALL CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL GOT US BACK STAGE PASSES. ANNETTE WANGLED US BACKSTAGE PASSES TO THIS ONE, AND SHE GOT TO MEET PRIVATLY WITH AMY - IT WAS ONE OF THE HAPPIEST MOMENTS OF HER LIFE, AND SEEMS RIGHT THAT IT WAS THE LAST MAJOR EVENT OF HER LIFE. SHE EVEN MANAGED AT ONE POINT TO RISE FROM HER WHEELCHAIR TO STAND AND SING ALONG TO HER FAVORITE SONG PRAISING GOD WITH HER HANDS RAISED TO HEAVEN.
ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2007, WE WERE COMING BACK FROM A DOCTOR VISIT, AND AS I STARTED TO PUT THE KEY IN THE DOOR, LORRAINE ASKED ME WHY GOD LET HER SUFFER SO MUCH. I KNEW THIS WAS IMPORTANT AND I HAD TO GET IT RIGHT. A SHORT PRAYER, AND THIS WAS WHAT I TOLD HER:
THE PEOPLE CLOSEST TO JESUS SUFFERED MUCH. AND HE SUFFERED MOST OF ALL IN HIS TORTURE AND DEATH.. BUT HIS SUFFERING IS WHAT GAVE SALVA-TION TO THE WORLD. I SUGGESTED SHE OFFER HIM HER PAIN, ASK HIM TO JOIN IT TO HIS AND USE IT FOR THE SALVATION OF PEOPLE SHE LOVED, ESPECIALLY HER BROTHER RICKY, WHO, EVEN THOUGH HE HAD A HUGE HEART, WAS AN ADDICT AND LIVING A DANGEROUSLY SINFUL LIFE THAT WOULD DEPRIVE HIM OF HEAVEN IF HE DIDN’T REPENT. WE THEN PRAYED FOR HIM.SAID AMEN, AND WE WENT INSIDE.
THE NEXT DAY, WE GOT THE PHONE CALL THAT RICKY HAD DIED. I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO DOUBT THAT HIS SOUL WAS RESCUED BY LORRAINE’S PRAYER. I WOULD BE SICK TO THIS DAY WORRYING IF HE WERE IN HELL HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THAT MOMENT OF GRACE.
SINCE THEN, LORRAINE ALWAYS JOINED HER PAIN TO HER PRAYERS FOR OTHERS, INCLUDING MANY OF US HERE TODAY. WE HAVE BEEN THE RECIPIENTS OF HER PRAYERS AND SACRIFICES. SHE WAS A GIFT TO US ALL, AND THE BEST THING I CAN DO, IS GIVE HER BACK TO GOD AND THANK HIM FOR LETTING ME KEEP HER FOR 35 YEARS.
