Page 136 - MY BOY CHAZ

A small ‘thank you’ to Gene

…you are my brother in Christ and will be forever treasured and loved for the time you have spent with me to get me through
the darkness…to turn more often to our Lord throughout every single day. We met through a widow/widower's grief sight. I

had never been so lost and isolated by such a loss, just as you had. I read posts voraciously…looking for the answer to ease the
deep grief, but it was not in those postings. I had just learned to pray…it was out of a desperate plea for relief…and God

answered my prayer…He eased the physical ache…and…placed someone on that sight to reach out. It was Gene. I was
cautious but had read Gene’s tribute about his Joyselyn. He knew such loss and also recognized my need to find a path in my
journey to faith. Gene…you prayed for me. It taught me words I did not know. You encouraged me, and yes…sometimes

intimidated me, but I found my footing and learned we each have our way to serve in this world. You walked me back from
such a dark precipice and heard my tears. You helped me find my way to God’s presence…to know I can invite Him into my life.

It is an unbelievable blessing…a calm…a joy. I will be forever grateful. You, Gene, helped me know I could move forward and
encouraged me to do such if I chose to do so. No…Gene and I have never met in person, but we talk or message regularly. He
has laughed and smiled with me, he has shared my burdens, listened…heard, but most importantly…he has walked me down

this path of faith…praying...leading me to read and explore the Bible for the very first time…to listen to others speak of Gods
words! It’s truly been an entire new life for me. I have been blessed in so very many ways but was never aware...never

grateful. Never looked beyond my own selfishness and pride. Although we cannot change our past, know that He has forgiven
if we seek Him and we do not need to dwell on our sins. Life cannot be free from the problems tangled in this world, but our
solace is in our trust in the Lord. You, Gene…through your Joyselyn and our Lord. Have brought me to know Him. That is who

you are, Gene. We both have much for which to be thankful.

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