Our dear father, John Michel Rona passed away today at 4:17 p.m. He fought a good fight, but he was called home & has an important work to do. Many of us believe he is arranging the music in heaven & is preparing for the second coming. His bishop gave him a blessing & we all were praying for dad to be at peace. They removed the life support & allowed him to breath on his own without the trach. He did so for about an hour and a half. As soon as my brother, Moshe moved his bed into the sun he took his last breath. He looked peaceful & we trust he is happy.
I can't help but feel grateful for the last 12 days we were able to spend with him. His injuries could've taken him the first day, but we were able to hold his hand, watch him move his feet, see him smile & hear his heart beat.
There must have been thousands of prayers around the world going up on his behalf. I am so glad that he was able to stick around to see the outpouring of love that was shown to him throughout his last days. The visits, the comments, the letters, the prayers, the hope, the caring of us kids, the tears. I know he saw & felt it all.
We miss him so much already & feel a deep sadness for his loss. He is an amazing man, a hard worker, a giver, a talented piano player, a father, a son, a brother, a father-in-law, a grandpa, a teaser, a gardener, and a righteous man whom we love so much.
According to his statement, "we are left in our callings until we figure out how to do
them right" he must of finally figured out how to do it right & has now been released to a higher calling.
We love you dad & will never forget you.
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You all have been in our thoughts today and through the week. John and Lisa, Greg and I have a special feeling of love and sympathy for you all. We hope that the peace you find will continues to help you through this difficult time of separation. We are at a loss of words, but are so grateful for yours in sharing this tender post. I found this thought..."A little step away. To close the eye, to fall asleep. To draw a labored breath, to find release from grief and pain. In what we know as death...It cannot be, for those we love live on in hearts of kin and friends. It cannot be, for they live on, a little step away. The soul, the everlating life, has found a better day.
ReplyDeleteReed's
A small void has been left in the world today, we will miss John!
ReplyDeleteRona family, thank you for sharing your dad with us. He is loved by many and will never be forgotten. He shared a special love for life and I am grateful that he was able to share a few years of his with me. Your show of faith and strength is truly amazing. I have learned so much about faith from the postings on this blog.
ReplyDeleteJohn, accompany those heavenly choirs. God be with you 'til we meet again..... KH
Where do we start? So much to say and - at the same time - so little to say. We are heart broken for each of you. To go through such an experience as this is truly trying. It is such a hard hand to be dealt. Today in sacrament meeting a man spoke and a sentence he said rang true to us. We instantly thought of you and what you've had to face. He said, "The more difficult the trial, the greater the reward". How bitter-sweet.
ReplyDeleteWe have been checking the blog daily, since it was created. We have received updates through text messages. Although we've never left a message or responded to the texts we have felt a great love and concern for you. We have prayed and will continue to pray.
These next few days will be amazing. You will feel the presence of your wonderful dad. He is there with you guys. We felt of our precious Mercydez (and still do) after her passing. It is such a comfort to have knowledge of the big picture. It doesn't make the heart ache go away but it helps soften the blow...to a certain degree.
Your strength, your desire to do what's best for your dad, even if it's not what's easiest for you, is admirable. You have such a great amount of strength...we are in awe. You're dad and you are right about our callings. Those who are released from this mortal life have taken and finished their test. Nothing else is required of them. They are special spirits. We have a lot to learn from them, we really do.
We couldn't help but agree with the reality that those we love who pass on still live. They live within us. Everything we do is directly linked to their influence on us.
We hope you can feel of the strength through our prayers and fasting. We have thought about you every second these last few days. Our souls have been shaken and we have been reminded how wonderful family is. How wonderful it is that we have a knowledge that WE WILL BE TOGETHER AGAIN. Death is not the end. We are firm believers it is merely the beginning. We are sure you're dad's talents and abilities will prove to be a blessing to those he assists in preparing for that great day.
We hope to continue to hear how your wonderful family is doing. Please post only when you're up to it and feel ready. We will be anxiously a waiting...
God bless you and your family,
Steven & LeAnn Gourley & Family
Our thoughts are with you all in this sad moment. John was a gifted and very giving man, I was a friend of his for only 5 years, but I was always struck by his selfless caring and concern for others, and he always thought of others before himself.
ReplyDeleteThe world lost a fine man today, but we are all the better for having shared time and life with John.
Take comfort in knowing John is now in a more peaceful place.
RM
Your father taught a couple of my children in Sunday School. They really loved him. I have loved to hear him play the piano. I have been praying for all of you these last few weeks and pray the Lord's spirit will continue to be with you. You have all shown a great strength in your time of trial and I have been uplifted by this blog.
ReplyDeleteJohn was a beautiful and gracious man.
ReplyDeleteGreat spirit, Grandfather, please guide and
protect John's spirit.
Aho mitakuye oyasin...
We will miss you, John! There are still alot I want to learn from John at work. His work attitude and spirit will continue inspire me. I am so lucky to have worked with John in the same team at work for years.
ReplyDelete安息吧, John.
Hongyi 高
I've been following this blog from here in Africa, and have been staying updated on John's progress here and through emails to the family.
ReplyDeleteOne of my strongest memories from childhood is visiting 'Aunt Darlene's house and Uncle John was playing the piano. A grownup in the other room said something, and he burst out in laughter. As a kid, I remember thinking how cool it was that he could sit at a piano and such beautiful sweet music could flow so effortlessly from his fingers, but that same man has one of the most powerfully strong and dominating laughs I've known.
He's a strong man in every sense of the word. We'll all miss him.
jim
John will be greatly missed by our family. Mike served in the Elder's Quorum with him. They became good friends and shared many laughs and experiences together during that time. Mike kept trying to tease him about the next woman in his life. He always said that he was happy being a dad!
ReplyDeleteBefore that he was our Home Teacher. He always came and never missed. It was amazing because he would even come by himself. He was great! He brought us yummy veggies, great stories and shared his newest ideas or visions.
We even got to get a sneak peak for about 2 years what Santa was bringing you all for Christmas, this was probably about 8 or 9 years ago??? It seemed he was more thoughful than plentiful. He shared why he bought each gift. It had a meaning or great purpose for the purchase. It was really sweet. We kept bringing him chocolates for Christmas until WE finally realized how healthy he eats. He always graciously thanked us.
I've always told Mike that if something happens to him...John would be his replacement. I only say this because we really LOVED him. He was a great man. He was gifted!!! He was gifted with: music, sharing his time, doing anything for a wardy, loving his children, and loving the Lord.
I'll personally miss the quiet conversations I had with John in the hallways as he was running to get a drink of water. I'll also miss his music humor in playing the piano. He loved to just "make-up" or "insert" new notes during our choir practices. He would smile quietly but I know he was laughing inside like a little kid. It was fun getting to know both sides of him.
Thanks John for spreading your gifts to all of us!!!
Love,
The Robsons
Dear Rona Family
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your wounderful dad with all of us in the Dimple Dell Ward. I loved his sweet humility & willingness to share is grand talents with our choir as well as his caring for those of us with trials. John would show up with vegis from his garden as well as a smile & sincere "how are you doing" at church.
You kids are such a great example of family love & strength to all of us.. May God be with you in this trying time & may the sweet memories of your Dad be of comfort in the months & years to come
PB
This is long over due. I knew John (and his wonderful Mother) from French class in 7th grade. He was a beautiful person...inside and out. I loved to look at him! Those blue eyes and cruly brown hair.
ReplyDeleteI know he is with you...for as a parent,how can you leave your kids? Believe and trust in the Lord...Sheri Nielson Christensen