To Lisa

by Lisa’s Brother, Rev. Barry King

For those of you who do not know me, my name is Barry and I am Lisa’s oldest brother. Today, it is my honor to tell you a bit about my little sister and to celebrate the time that she was with us.

If it’s possible for an angel to be born on earth, then I have no doubt that Lisa was just such an angel. Lisa was filled with an unconditional love that touched us all. One only had to look at Lisa’s smile to experience the light that shone from within. Just like an angel, Lisa cared for everyone.

Today heaven is a happier and brighter place because Lisa has come home. My father, Harry has taken his baby girl into his arms and welcomed her with a loving kiss as she has now been reborn into the heaven world. Heaven’s gain is our loss.

Over the last year, Lisa faced her illness with great courage and determination. Even when racked with pain, her thoughts and love went out to those around her. She would come home from having her chemo treatments and say to mom and Mike how sorry she felt for those older people who looked so frightened in the cancer ward. When she was sitting in emergency and even though she was in pain when the doctors asked her how she was, Lisa would smile and say fine. Brad finally said “Lisa you have got to stop smiling at everyone.” But that was Lisa. She always had a smile on her face and in her voice.

Lisa wanted people to be happy. When she was only 11 years old, she began attending the Anglican Church in Timberlea. After her second visit, she decided to write a letter to the minister there. The letter said: I really like your church. I like the people there but they seem so sad. I think that if you played happy music, you would make them happy. There's more to the story because Lisa always tryed to translated what she thought into action. To have the happy music, someone had to play it. So Lisa learned how to play the guitar and the next year was sitting up in front of the church playing the guitar and singing happy music. She had a beautiful voice.

My sisiter Kathy reminded me of a typical Lisa story yesterday. One evening a number of years ago, when Kathy and Lisa were returning home from being downtown, they came across a white Persian cat that had been hit by a car lying on the road. Even though it was late in the evening, Lisa insisted that they find help. After trying several vets around town, they found a vet who could treat the cat. However, the vet would not do anything until he was guaranteed that he would be paid. Lisa who was not working at the time, took what little money she had to pay for the cat's surgery. When the cat recovered, Lisa took it home, but they knew it had to belong to someone else. Lisa and our nieces, Shelly and Nicole put out the word and eventually found the little girl who was the cat's owner. Lisa was so happy to bring them back together.

Lisa was a Gift. Her contagious smile and good nature was always a joy to be around. She was always ready to help or offer her support no matter what was happening. Lisa loved life and celebrated it with every breath. She also loved people and perhaps that’s why everyone she met loved her and felt an immediate connection to her. When the Lawtons Drug Store near where Lisa worked heard that she was sick, they sent a present and a get well card because they missed her happy smile.

Lisa was a Gift. Lisa was not only a hard worker, she loved what she did especially when she could work with people. When she answered the phone, people were treated to a happy cheerful voice on the other end of the line. Her co-workers enjoyed stopping by Lisa's desk not only for a dose of her positive outlook but also to have one of the candies she keep for visitors.

Lisa was a Gift. Every holiday and special occasion was extra special to Lisa. She would get so excited. You could be sure that a month before she would have on the flashing Christmas earrings and holiday outfits. Lisa loved giving presents and to prolong the enjoyment ( I am not sure if it was for ours or hers) she would wrap them in an extra amount of tape and paper. You always hoped that Lisa got your name as stocking stuffer at Christmas. She got such joy out of giving.

Lisa was a Gift. It was often the little thoughtful things that she did that touched us the most because they were so spontaneous and genuine. Lisa would sometimes arrive at Mom’s door with supper, flowers and a movie, just to brighten her day. Lisa cared about people and wanted nothing but for them to be happy.

Lisa was a Gift. Lisa and Mike loved each other so much. It was clear from the beginning that they were made for each other. As a matter of fact, Mike was one of Brad’s dearest friends and after chaperoning Lisa on a date, timidly Mike asked Brad for permission for Lisa and him to go out. Fortunately Brad approved and one of his proudest moments was when he stood as best man for Mike at their wedding. Brad loved his baby sister. It has been a joy to watch Lisa and Mike together.

Lisa was a Gift. Mike's family immediately feel in love with Lisa and adopted her as their own. Lisa’s love has been the catalyst for the King and Keefe family to merge. We are all one family now.

Lisa was a Gift. I know for my mother, Lisa was not only her youngest child but also Lisa was her best friend. When my father died, it was Lisa who did so much to help my mother deal with the loss.

Lisa was a Gift. Lisa’s illness brought us closer as a family and especially now Lisa reminds us how precious our time together is. It would make Lisa happy, if when you go home today, you give those you love a hug and a kiss just because they are special to you. Each day together is a Gift. The simple truth is Life is a Gift.

Thank you Lisa for choosing to be with us for a while and bringing your love and joy into our lives.

How do you say good-bye to someone who has been called home so soon and so unexpectedly? Lisa had what seems to have been far too short a time with us. I am thankful for the certain knowledge that Lisa is alive and well in the world of Spirit. It gives me comfort to know that we will meet again.

How do you make sense of it all? I for one am not going to try and make sense of it. Since I must, I will accept it. But I will never forget you Lisa and I will hold dear the memories of our times together. I will remember a wonderfully loving and gentle soul, a gift from God and instead of saying good-bye, I will say what you would always say See yah, Love yah.

Love

Barry

Dear Lisa,

Hi sweetie. By now you're in Heaven with your Dad, Uncle Gordon and all your other loved ones who have passed on, even Bear. I know that you're happy, healthy and feeling no pain. You're probably looking down and wondering why we're all so sad. Well, it's because anyone that got to know you lost a little piece of themselves to you. When they would meet you, they would feel great ... complete. But now that you're gone, we feel empty and hurt. That's how wonderful you are. When you left for your journey to Heaven, I asked how God could take you and leave so many empty people in the world. The response I got was that God needs angels, and that's what you are. You saved me and made me so happy.

There are so many things about you that I'll miss. The way you cried at happy and sad movies and TV shows. The way you would dance and sing along to any song that came on the radio or TV, even the commercial jingles. How excited you would get over the tinyest gift you received or the smallest amount of money you would win on a lottery ticket or at the casino. How a room lit up when you would smile or laugh. And a million other things that you would do or say.

I'm lucky that I got to love you and got to be loved by you. I'm lucky that we did so many fun things together. I'm lucky that you shared so much love with my family, and that I inherited such a great second family. But most of all, I'm lucky just to have been a part of your life for the last 8 years. On the day we were married, I told you that I loved you and that I always would. But until you were gone, I didn't realize just how much I loved you, but I think you did. I can't begin to tell you how much I miss you, and how proud I am of the bravery and strength that you showed during your battle with lymphoma.

Well, I know you must have a lot of things to do and people to see, so I'll say good-bye for now until we meet again.

I love you Bunches and Bunches,

Mike
xOX0

Lisa on her Wedding Day

Lisa and Mike

Left to right: Pat (Lisa's Mother), Lisa, Cathy (Mike's sister), Mike, Marilyn (Mikes Mother)

For My Best Friend

Lisa around 13 years We hear stories of people bonding many unique ways. Lisa and I also bonded in a strange way. Our husbands had been classmates and close friends for many years. It was only natural that we would double-date. On our first outing, there was the initial small talk and nervous laughter. But we became best friends over burned pizza. ‘Sound odd’? We looked up at each other when the pizza was delivered, smiled shyly and started giggling. Our boyfriends were not as amused and the pizzas were sent back as they ate their meals. Lisa and I patiently waited for new ones which were burned as well. We laughed more and ate them. That evening, I had my first glimpse of Lisa’s positive approach to life and her ability to make any situation a positive, lasting memory. That is where my admiration for Lisa began.

There was no way that you could spend time with Lisa and not smile and laugh. Her bright, infectious smile could warm a room immediately and go straight to your heart. No matter what kind of day you were having, Lisa instantly made it better. Her, ‘well hello!’greeting accompanied by a huge smile automatically put you at ease. Even during her illness, when she was in severe pain, she always managed a weak smile to comfort those around her if nothing else.

I also admired Lisa’s love for her husband and her family. She was genuine in her love for Mike and never missed a chance to give him a little kiss or hold his hand. She never worried about what others may think of her. Her love for her family and Mike’s family was just as enduring and open....a hug and a kiss for everyone. I truly believe that Lisa had no regrets about her life. She lived and loved with her whole heart with others always first in her mind. It took no conscious effort on her part. It was Lisa’s way.

When I was asked to speak about Lisa, I worried about not finding the strength to get up here. I also worried about saying the perfect things. But, as I thought about Lisa, I realized that the right words would not have concerned Lisa. She was happy with the simple things in life. I remember the four of us sitting under an umbrella at a picnic table in Fundy National Park, trying to roast marshmallows over a struggling fire in the pouring down rain. We had a great time and I have the photos to prove it.

I did see slight panic on a couple of occasions with Lisa. One occasion was on her wedding day. We were sitting in Barry’s van waiting to enter the church. All of a sudden, fire trucks go streaming pass, to the front door of the church. When she knew everyone was OK and calm had been restored, she relaxed and giggled while worrying about how Mike was handling all the stressed. I learned of Lisa’s diplomatic ability and Mike's patience with me one Christmas when I accidentally hit Mike between the eyes with a foil covered chocolate ball. Between her giggles, she managed to calm Mike down as a chocolate ball war ensued. Lisa would stifle a laugh each time we visited and she’d find another chocolate ball in a plant pot or under a chair.

No matter where we were, Lisa was totally immersed in that moment and engaged with the people accompanying her. She really lived in the moment. Whether she was playing mini golf, playing pool or dancing with the girls all night at her stagette party, she was having the time of her life. Another favorite in her life was chocolate ..... anything chocolate. It was a love we shared. We would stand over the display case at the restaurant desperately trying to choose from the chocolate cakes and cheesecakes. We always chose the richest, creamiest and most chocolate laden dessert on the menu. Mike and Blair always teased us about our choice, but the always had their forks in the cake too!

I'm finding it difficult to believe that all of those opportunities to build memories are gone. Life without Lisa will not be the same. I've lost an incredible friend. There was no one like her. In my husband’s words, we have lost one of the truly good people in this world. Our privilege in this life was to meet her and know her. Her spirit will forever shine with each of us who knew her well.

She must be the brightest angel in heaven.

(To Lisa) Lisa you'll always be in my heart.

With all my love
Your friend

Wendy