Friday, December 30, 2011
Donna, thank you for all of the times you made me laugh, thank you for simply being you, for your honesty, it is a rare commodity in this world today and I will miss it. There is one memory that is prevalent in my mind as I write this. I was probably twelve years old and You and Kelly came down for a visit. We all crammed into a gray camaro that you had rented and drove to the Rapids Waterpark. We had an awesome day riding all of the slides and just enjoying being kids. Later in the day we came to a slide in the park, that to me, seemed a mile high and shot straight down. We could hear the people screaming all the way down. No one wanted to go on it except for you. We were all too afraid. Before I knew what had happened I was in line with you, waiting to slide down it. We reached the top and I was on the platform hoding on to the bar when the fear was almost overwhelming and I did not want to go. As I was preparing to push back from the edge, a foot was gently, but firmly placed in the center of my back, and with a push I was off on the best ride of the day and perhaps my life. I will never forget that day. The thrill of rocketing down that slide with my heart in my throat and the relief and sense of accomplishmet of reaching the bottom. I thank you for that and pray that in this oftentimes difficult life, in those moments where fear tries to dictate my responses and reactions, that you will be there to give me a little push. There is no fear in the perfect love of God. The bible says in First Corinthians 13:12-13 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. Donna I know that you have seen our Lord face to face and with the removal of the limitations we experience as human beings you are now enveloped in the perfect love and peace of God. I will miss you, but am comforted to know that you are in a place of no more tears, pain,sorrow or regret. I also know that you see and know with that perfect love of God that we all love you and will cherish your memory and wait in expectation of that one sweet day when we shall all be together again. My prayers go out to the Russo family, to Aunt Arlene and all of your siblings, that the peace and strength of God sustain you in this difficult time, that the wisdom of God bring the knowledge that the love we all share is eternal, it comes from God and eventually returns to Him. Donna is there with Him now and I like to believe she is swimming in a pristine tropical ocean with dolphins vaulting from the water in celebration of her return home and a myriad of tropical birds singing songs of joy, hope, healing and love. Rest in peace Cousin and until that one sweet day You will be missed. Our deepest and heartfelt condolences go out to the Russo family. We love you and you are in our hearts, thoughts and prayers. David and Roxanne Caputo.
