Julie's Page

A forum dedicated to Julie's Life, and Light

This storie is a recount of something that happened to us at Mass one day.

Julie was a lector at church, so once a month we would have to sit up front close to the podium (I guess that is what you call it)so that she did not have far to walk when she read.   One day the Priest forgot to turn off his microphone, as he took the host and it made a terrific crunching noise all over the Church sound system. Upon hearing the loud crunching (keeping in mind I was still a bit of a heathen at the time) "Wow, must have gotten a bone in there" which I thought to myself quietly and grinned.  No sooner was I over my thought, then Julie pipes up "Must have got a bone in there"  Well there is one thing louder than a fart in the church pew, and that is a stifled nasal giggle! I busted up and there was no stopping it!  Just as soon as I lost it, Julie could not help herself and we were both on the slipery slope of improper Church laughter. Each time one of us got a hold of ourselfs the other would detect a jump of the others sholders and it was on again. Well it was all too late, the more we tried to stop it, the more the laughing meltdown continued.  When we finally got control, we looked through tear filled eyes across to the other side of the Church, the sisters and other church elders looking back shaking their heads ruefully.

This is a letter from our friend Carol in Colorado

It's amazing how things work in life - one small event leads to another, and another, and your whole life can change because of one small incident.  I often think about how Julie came into my life - and ironically it was weddings that brought us together.  When my college roommate Michele invited me to stand up in her wedding, little did I know that I'd meet her cousin, Mary, who invited me to stand up in her wedding...and at that wedding, I met Mary's friend Julie.  When I met her, it was like I'd known her all my life.  When we got ready to walk down the aisle, she realized she was wearing her big, black, waterproof plastic watch - not exactly the accessory for our fancy, long blue bridesmaids gowns.  There was no time to give it to anyone, so Julie shrugged and tucked it in her bra!  People must have thought we were crazy, trying hard not to laugh as we walked down the aisle to the front of the church.  It didn't stop there, of course.  During the wedding, she whispered to me,"I'm hungry."  I answered, "Me too.  I wonder what time it is?"  She grinned and said, "I don't know.  Let's see!" and peered down her cleavage for the watch!  Dubbing it the "booby watch", she kept me in stitches as she attempted to set the alarm by moving her breasts with her arms.   

After that wedding, the four of us (Mary, Michele, Julie and I) got together just about every year for a mini-reunion.  One of those trips was of course for Julie's wedding.  All the spontaneity, generosity, and love that defined Julie can describe her wedding day.  I remember that trip through K-Mart on the way to the wedding!  Again, it is a memory that makes me laugh.   When Julie first was diagnosed, I was on the brink of my own engagement.  When my wedding plans were getting finalized, it didn't seem likely that Julie would be able to make it.  I consider it a miracle that she was well enough to travel out to Colorado to attend.  I am so blessed that she was there - and I've got memories and photos of all the fun and laughter we had.  It just wouldn't have been a wedding without her there!  

I have one last comment I need to share.  When Mary, Michele and I saw Julie the last time, in October, something happened that really defined who Julie was.  At one quiet moment, she was telling me how bad she felt - for Mike.  "It's been so rough on him."  Not a thought about her own pain; she was concerned foremost for him.    What an extraordinary person she was.  I miss her dreadfully, but I consider myself fortunate to have been her friend.   Carol 

Some observations from a friend of ours Steve in the land of burning rivers, Cleveland.

Poo boy,  

Over the past couple weeks, I have been giving much thought to miracles.  I think the word 'miracle' has become somewhat overused and misused. We've seen it with the term 'warrior', especially now that we are at war. Sports such as football have a tendency to use battle terminology as analogs to describe what they go through as players. But when the origin of those terms is currently happening, it seems to make the analogy less accurate.  I think you know what I mean.

  Well, the term miracle has suffered the same fate, at least in my mind. As we continue to grow in our faith, we begin to see and understand just what true miracles are.  This, of course, takes a road right to Julie, and the ordeal you both endured together. This lead me to do some thinking with regard to my faith, your faith, and Julie's faith. We both know how strong Julie's was, and we also know how ours is getting stronger than it once was. So I began to try and imagine how the word 'miracle' would appropriately apply to all of this. And here's what I came up with.

(Feel free to disagree. This is simply my opinion based on my faith.)

As Julie's physical situation continued to deteriorate, her mental and spiritual being strengthened. Shannon had more than once mentioned to me, as well as insinuations you made regarding some of the conversations you and I shared late in Julie's mortal life, that this was the case.  I believe that due to her faith, she had no fear of death and was confident in her rightful place for all eternity. She had accepted Jesus into her heart a long time ago and built a strong relationship with our Lord. Yet as her health was failing, many of us around her prayed for a miracle to "save her". Obviously, having been the closest to her, you reached the point where you knew the inevitable and asked God to take her to His side of the fence. (We'll come back to this in a bit.)  

Yet all the while, the rest of us continued to pray for a miracle as if one had not been performed yet. But how blind we were. The first part of the miracle that did indeed save Julie happened long before any of us were born. When Christ defeated death by rising after His crucifixion, there was a true miracle, probably the truest of them all. The second component of this miracle was when Julie took Jesus into her heart. Those two situations together combine to make the one true miracle our creator wishes for us all. As long as you maintain your faith from that point forward, no other miracles need take place. Julie knew this.  

You described a moment of peace when you asked God for forgiveness for the feeling that things, at times, felt like work with Julie, and suddenly they didn't anymore. At that moment, you opened the door of your heart to Jesus, and He graciously entered. You now are building your faith from that moment on. You are completing the second part of your miracle. As the time that continues to pass since Julie's passing will help ease the suffering, the time that coincides that you spend building and maintaining your faith will become like second nature.

All of this will lead you to paradise one day, amigo.

  You had told me that you felt as though you weren't important enough for Julie's mission of the Lord to bring you into His world, and Him into your life, but you are.  Both He and she knew this. I think He received more work from her than just the saving of your soul, and her mission plan was just to live as Jesus did.  But you are now the full recipient of the greatest miracle of all, and it pleases me beyond all explanation.  I am working now to point my children that direction so that when they are old enough to comprehend all of this, that they too will fulfill their part of the miracle.  Because, as we have seen and learned, all other miracles are moot.   I hope these words brought more smiles than tears.  I'll leave you now with some words that a former pastor of mine always concluded his sermons with, and they stay with me to this day:  

Now may a peace which surpasses all understanding be with you in your heart and mind, now and forever.

Amen.   YIC,   Steve

Hi Mike,
I just wanted to let you know that Julie came to me this morning. Yesterday I lost my best friend, Heather.  Julie knew her and I believe you also had met her and her husband Tim several times at our house. I had asked Victor last night on the way back to Tim's house if he thought Heather was in Heaven.  Heather was the friendliest person you could ever meet, but friendly doesn't get you to Heaven.  She believed in God, but didn't go to church and didn't live the life that we are preached to live.  I was concerned,  Heather deserved to be nowhere but in Heaven.  She was the best friend I ever had and she would give the shirt off her back to help anyone in need. After waking up this morning a little before two and crying for two hours, I was finally was able to fall back asleep around four.  During this time I had my first dream with Julie since she passed.  She came to me, at my house, in my living room, and told me she needed a favor.  I knew she was a ghost in my dream and I could not believe my eyes.  I told her what ever she needed I would do and she told me needed me to do something regarding Southern Living (the last party that she had).  I don't even remember what she told me.  I then asked her did she know.  She said yes.  I asked her if she (Heather) was there in Heaven and she told me she was.  I began to cry and Julie walked over and held me.  I could actually feel the hug.  It was so real. I just wanted you to know this.  I believe to the fullest it was Julie and that she is watching over us all. Shelly

Many of you know the story of the roses out side of Julies room, but as time goes on there are some people that come to the site that don't know it, so I thought it would be nice to put it here.  When Julie was moved to Hospice Friday December 23rd, there were two prefect rose buds, one white and one red, in a vase just out side the room.  The vase was placed in a small inset in the wall that was just to the right side of the door.  As  flowers came available to the Hospice, usually donated from former patients funeral flowers, the Hospice would put them in the vases outside each persons room.  Christmas eve came and I noticed the red rose had bloomed, but not the white.  Christmas day arrived, and as guest came to celebrate I noticed the red rose had started to wither.  It was at this time I asked Karen if she had her camera with her, she did and she took some pictures.  These are the first pictures, as before this time I saw nothing worth taking note of, but now I was curious as to what was playing out here.  Monday the 26th, the red rose peddles started to fall but the white bud was still tightly closed. Tuesday the 27th the picture you see above was taken about noon.  As the day progressed the peddles started to relax and fall, but the bud never did fully open, and by the end of the day well you can see for your self.  I have no explanation for this occurring, you can place your own relevance to the two flowers story, I am just thankful I was clued in to take notice as it was happening. Below are pictures of the flowers over the 4 days.

(Oh and another note Monday and Tuesday, this was the only flower on the entire floor all the other vases were empty save this last white rose)

Mike, I know this is a few weeks past due, but I am finally going to sit down and write my words and feelings on Julie.  I have kind of been putting it off because I know I will start crying.  We have lived next door to you now for 10 years.  We have been blessed having you and Julie as our neighbors.  You couldn't ask for better ones.  I really miss Julie.  I miss her smile or our crossing each day and asking how each of our days had gone.  I get really sad turning onto our road some days, because I know Julie isn't there any more.  Julie was a very important person in my life, but more importantly in my son's life.  I know that Julie loved him.  And he her.  I think he had more conversations with her than me.  And the same goes with you.  He would and still does tell me things that he has talked with her or you about that I had no clue.  He loves you guys.  I miss going to all the little girly parties that Julie and I would go to (pampered chef / partylite / southern living / what ever it was).  She was my partner in crime.  Julie and I had gotten close over the years and it really saddens me that when she needed me most I was wrapped up in my own problems.  It was like her getting worse all came right around the same time as Hurricane Katrina and then my nephew's passing.  I was so busy running to Biloxi from September till December that during her sickest time I wasn't there and for that I am sorry and I hope she knows.  I miss her.  I miss our conversations about you and Victor or should I say our grumbles (only on certain days).  For the most part we both knew we were very lucky with the guys we have.  But it was nice to have each other to talk to.  I miss hearing her call for Logan (Logie) with a big happy smile. Victor, Logan and I are all better people for having known Julie.  I wish we would have known her years ago and years ahead.  She was truly a very extraordinary person.  A rare gem in today's society. My life is forever changed, for the better, by her life.  I hope to take the inspirations of her life and make each day of my life better.  We love you and will always be next door if you need anything.  Thank you for always being there for us. Sincerely, Shelly

Mike:  You don’t know us but we are friends of Luke and Celeste and even though we never had the privilege to meet her, Julie, has had an impact on us.  Her service was indeed a celebration of her life and because of it when we returned home I immediately called my oldest and best friend who I hadn't spoke with for several months.  I realized that very few people

are fortunate enough to have a best friend from the age of five.  We have also started to light our candles and each night

when we sit down to dinner we light what we call ‘Julie’s Candle’.

Pat & Chuck Snider

I had been dating Julie since January 1993. We had gone out oh about five or six times and on some occasions I had been a tad bit tardy. Keeping this in mind, I called to ask her to go to the Daytona 200 race, and tardiness on my or her part just would not do, so I expressed the need for her to be ready when I came to pick here up that Sunday morning. She rather emphatically stated “Oh I’ll be ready, but will you be here on time?” I assured her I would be there, on time, “with bells on”.  Well I did show up on time, and I had three little jingle bells on each shoe, which she thought was just special, but she did wonder "where did he get the bells from?".  They were kinda old looking, not something that was new, just purchased from a store, and it was March, what store would have Christmas bells in March?  Well I just shrugged it off and changed the conversation, but it kinda stuck with her, not so much for actually wanting to know, but more for wondering why I wouldn't tell her. The day went ok, we found out later that evening that one of the racing participants died in a crash during the event, but other than that,(hey motorcycle road racing is a dangerous sport) it was a successful date and upon arriving at her humble abode I walked her to her door to say goodnight. I don’t remember exactly how the subject was broached but the conversation revolved around relationships and I told her I thought all the great ones had, to some degree, a measure of Romance, mixed with a dash of Mystery. I explained this as I was kneeling down, taking the bells from my shoes. Upon rising to my feet, I leaned in and kissed Julie for the first time. Then softly I reached for her hand to give her the bells, still not telling her where from wince they came. I found out later that when Julie closed her door, she said she tipped her head back against the door smiling and tittering a bit and was very happy. All of this while I floated all the way home, for I too was over the moon! It still makes my hands shake with a giddy joy as I think of this today. Well all was fine we dated, and as our wedding day approached I found that she had saved the bells all this time, In fact one of them was her blue item she had with her on her wedding gown(something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue) and for those that remember as I told this story on our wedding day I leaned in a whispered to her from wince the bells came, and exclaimed to those in attendance

“And now the Romance is ours, and the Mystery belongs to all of you!”

This is a letter from a neighbor of Luke and Celeste in Ocala, a friend about Julies age.

I want to start by offering you my condolences.  I spoke to my Mom yesterday {first time in 7 months} and she gave me the terrible news.  There is something I must share with you.  Upon hearing the news that Julie had become ill, I’ve made sure to keep all of you in my prayers.  Saturday night I said special prayer. As we were to be beginning a New Year, Julie’s health, safety and comfort were in that prayer.  During the night I had a dream that Julie was no longer with us.  I dreamed she was with our Father in Heaven, smiling, healthy and happy.  When my Mom told me how and when things happened I was saddened at first.  But after remembering the dream I had that night I became overwhelmed with joy.  God is very real!!  Heaven is very real!!  Best of all, Julie is there!!  Luke, when you first told me that Julie had cancer I asked God why her?  Why not me instead?  Why not any one of these criminals that could care less about their lives?  Why does it have to be the dedicated, good hearted, honest and hard working?  The answer is simple...We’re not worthy yet, that’s why!!   To enter into the Kingdom of Heaven is the greatest blessing anyone can receive  and must be considered as such.  Julie passed another test with honors, Life....and now she will dwell in the house of the Lord.....Forever!!

         Although she will be dearly missed, always remember that she’s only a prayer away.

                                                                My Love to all,

                                                                Mark