Jonathan Richard Warren

He is survived by his partner, Kayla Anastacio; parents, Bob and Janette Warren;

sisters, Amy (Brad) Whalen and Melissa (Cliff Cantelon) Warren; opa, Edgar;

and his niece and nephews, Riley, Zachary and Hailey.

Jon is predeceased by his grandmother, grandfather, oma and his uncle, Bill.

***** Please continue reading to find, a poem read by Kayla; the eulogy, Bob read at the funeral; and comments made by Linda Wood-Edwards, the Funeral Celebrant. *****

Poem Read By Kayla

CROSSING OVER

OH, PLEASE DON’T FEEL GUILTY IT WAS MY TIME TO GO.

I SEE YOU ARE STILL FEELING SAD, AND THE TEARS SEEM TO FLOW.

WE ALL COME TO EARTH FOR OUR LIFETIME, AND FOR SOME IT’S NOT MANY YEARS.

I DON’T WANT YOU TO KEEP CRYING YOU ARE SHEDDING SO MANY TEARS.

I HAVEN’T REALLY LEFT YOU EVEN THOUGH IT MAY SEEM SO.

I HAVE JUST GONE TO MY HEAVENLY HOME, AND I’M CLOSER THAN YOU KNOW.

JUST BELIEVE THAT WHEN YOU SAY MY NAME, I’M STANDING NEXT TO YOU.

I KNOW YOU LONG TO SEE ME, BUT THERE’S NOTHING I CAN DO.

BUT I’LL STILL SEND YOU MESSAGESAND HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND,

THAT WHEN YOUR TIME COMES TO ”CROSSOVER” I’LL BE THERE TO TAKE YOUR HAND.

-AUTHOR UNKNOWN

*****

Jon's Eulogy

Read By Bob Warren

JON’S EULOGY BY HIS FATHER BOB WARREN

I CAME WITH A SUIT ON IN RESPECT FOR THE CEREMONY. I TAKE MY JACKET AND TIE OFF IN RESPECT FOR JON AS HE WAS A SIMPLE DRESSER WHO WOULD ONLY REALLY DRESS UP ON RARE OCCASIONS. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO MISSED THE VIEWING FROM 10:00 TO 11:00 JON IS DRESSED IN ONE OF HIS FAVOURITE BUTTON UP HARLEY DAVIDSON SHIRTS. HIS GOOD JEANS AND HIS MOCASSIN SLIPPERS SO WHEN HE WALKS AMONGST THE CLOUDS HIS SIX THREE HEIGHT AND 220 POUND STATURE DO NOT MAKE SOUNDS LIKE THUNDER. HIS SIGNATURE SUNGLASSES ARE ON HIS HEAD AND HIS AFTER DARK MOTORCYCLE HAT BESIDE HIM. WE PUT $20.00 IN HIS WALLET FOR A PACK OF SMOKES AND A TIM’S TRIPLE TRIPLE AND A TOONIE AND LOONIE FOR PARKING HIS SKY BIKE.

THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING TODAY TO SEE JON OFF ON HIS LAST JOURNEY. TODAY IS ALL ABOUT JON AND THE PEOPLE HE TOUCHED AND IMPACTED IN HIS SHORT LIFE. HE IMPACTED OUR FAMILY IN MANY WAYS AND WE FOUND OUT HE IMPACTED MANY OTHERS FROM HIS FRIENDS THAT CAME TO VISIT AT THE HOSPITAL. WHO WAS JONATHAN RICHARD WARREN AND WHAT WAS HE ALL ABOUT? ON WAS A GREAT FRIEND TO MANY. HE WAS A BEAUTIFUL SON, LOVING BROTHER, GRANDSON AND NEPHEW. FOR HIS MOTHER JANETTE AND I HE WAS AN INCREDIBLE CHILD, INCREDIBLE BOY AND INCREDIBLE YOUNG MAN WHO OVERCAME MANY CHALLENGES THROWN HIS WAY IN LIFE. TO UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT WHO JON WAS I WILL PARAPHRASE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN SAID ABOUT HIM IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS.

(1)THIS IS WHAT HIS FRIEND BIG JOHN POSTED:

SUNDAY ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS PASSED AWAY. JON WARREN HAD A HEART THE SIZE OF A HOUSE AND A GENUINE KINDNESS THAT’S RARE TO FIND. HE WILL BE SORELY MISSED. JON OVERCAME MANY HURDLES WITH HIS POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND TREMENDOUS DETERMINATION. HE NEVER LET HIS HANDICAP STOP HIM FROM LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST. THE WORDS “I CAN’T DO THAT” WERE NOT IN HIS VOCABULARY.

JON HAD MOTORCYCLE LUST WORSE THAN MOST. EVERY SENTENCE STARTED WITH “WHEN MY BIKES UP….”. HE HAD BEEN SLOWLY GATHERING PARTS SINCE I’VE KNOWN HIM. I ALWAYS HARASSED HIM AND TOLD HIM HE’D BETTER HURRY OR I MIGHT NOT BE ALIVE TO SEE IT! SADLY, HE NEVER REALIZED THAT DREAM OR HAD HIS FIRST RIDE.

-JANETTE AND I HAD NEVER MET HIS FRIEND JOHN BUT IT IS INTERESTING HOW HE PICKED UP ON OUR JON NEVER SAYING “I CAN’T”.

-THIS STARTED WHEN JONATHAN WAS SMALL – IF HE SAID “I CAN’T” HE WOULD LOOK AT US AND SAY “I AM SORRY” AS IF HE HAD SAID SOME SWEAR WORDS.

(2)THIS IS WHAT JON’S FRIEND CODY FROM THE MOTORBIKE SHOP SAID:

“JON WAS ALL ABOUT OTHERS”

(3)MY GOOD FRIEND LEON WHO COULD NOT MAKE IT TODAY SENT ME AN EMAIL AND THIS IS WHAT HE SAID ABOUT JON:

“MY MEMORY OF JON IS THAT HE WAS A FRIENDLY, GENTLE YOUNG MAN, DOING HIS BEST TO MAKE HIS WAY THROUGH LIFE WITH THE LOVE AND SUPPORT OF HIS FAMILY”

(4)BJ’S MOM SAID WHEN JON CAME OVER “THEY CALLED HIM THE GENTLE GIANT”

(5)KELLY, HIS FRIEND JESSE’S MOM SAID “JON TOUCHED MANY LIVES”

(6) DEB - ONE OF JON’S MOM’S COWORKERS AT ZELLERS WHO NEW JON FROM WHEN HE WORKED IN RECEIVING AT THEIR STORE FOR AWHILE SAID THIS:

“JON WAS A NICE GUY – LOTS OF FUN AND EVERYONE LIKED HIM. EVEN WITH HIS SCREWED UP ARM HE WORKED HARDER AND DID MORE THAN THE OTHERS” THESE ARE BUT A FEW OF THE MANY THINGS THAT COULD BE SAID ABOUT JON BY THE PEOPLE HE IMPACTED BUT THE THEME IS THE SAME REGARDING HIS BEAUTIFUL CHARACTER.

WE WERE ALL PRAYING FOR A MIRACLE FOR JON TO PULL THROUGH – BUT IN REALITY JON WAS OUR MIRACLE. WHEN HE WAS 15 MONTHS OLD HE CONTRACTED MENINGITUS AND ALMOST DIED ON US BUT HE WAS A FIGHTER AND PULLED THROUGH. THIS DETERMINATION AND SPIRIT SHOWED UP ONE NIGHT WHEN JANETTE AND I WERE GETTING READY TO LEAVE HIM AND GO HOME AND WERE TUCKING HIM IN HIS CRIB. HE WAS TIRED OF ALL THE WHITE COATS POKING AND PRODDING HIM AND DID NOT WANT US TO LEAVE. WE STARTED TO HEAD FOR THE DOORWAY AND WE HEARD HIM WHIMPER AS HE LOST THE ABILITY TO CRY WITH THE PARALYSIS AND TURNED AROUND TO SEE JON DRAGGING HIMSELF ACROSS THE CRIB MATTRESS WITH HIS ONE GOOD ARM AND LEG. HE WAS CRYING AND WE WATCHED AS HE GRABBED THE STEEL BARS OF THE HOSPITAL BED AND PUSHED HIS FACE UP AGAINST THEM AND PUSHED WITH HIS GOOD LEG. HE REPEATED THIS AND EVENTUALLY GETTING INTO A STANDING POSITION WITH HIS LEFT HAND AND LEFT LEG HANGING LIMP AS THE FULL IMPACT OF THE PARALYSIS FROM THE BRAIN DAMAGE HAD SET IN. EVEN THOUGH WE HAD TO LEAVE HIM IT BROKE OUR HEARTS AND ON THE WAY TO THE ELEVATORS WE WERE BOTH CRYING.

WE CRIED FOR HIM BACK THEN AS WELL. WE HAD SEPARATELY IN OUR OWN MINDS COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH JON FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES REGARDLESS OF WHAT WAS LEFT OF THE LITTLE BOY WE TOOK HOME. AT THE ELEVATORS WE TURNED TO EACH OTHER AND MADE IT A PACT THAT BECAME OUR LIGHTHOUSE. WE DID NOT KNOW THAT JON HAD BEEN GIVEN BACK ON LOAN TO US TO INFLUENCE OUR LIVES ONLY FOR THE NEXT 25 YEARS. EVEN AT THAT AGE HE HAD THE ABILITY TO IMPACT PEOPLE. HE HAD THESE BIG SEAL LIKE EYES AND WHEN WE WOULD GO TO THE SICK CHILDRENS HOSPITAL IN TORONTO TO SEE HIM WE WOULD NEVER FIND HIM IN HIS ROOM BECAUSE THE NURSES WERE ALWAYS CARRYING HIM AROUND.

EVEN THOUGH HE HAD A RESIDENT NEUROSURGEON ASSIGNED TO HIM THE CHIEF NEUROLOGIST TOOK A LIKING TO JON AND WOULD COME AND VISIT HIM EVERY DAY WHEN IT WAS TIME FOR JON TO HAVE SURGERY FOR A SHUNT TO BE PUT IN TO STOP THE SPINAL FLUID BUILDUP IN HIS BRAIN THE CHIEF NEUROSURGEON WALKED AWAY FROM HIS SURGERY UNIT AND SENT THE RESIDENT TO DO THE SURGERY ON HIS PATIENT AND DID JON’S SURGERY HIMSELF. HIS BATTLE SCARS FROM THAT CHALLENGE EARLY IN HIS LIFE WERE HIS LEFT SIDE WEAKNESS, SHORT TERM MEMORY CHALLENGES FOR AWHILE AND EPILEPSY. THEY TOLD US AT SICK KIDS IN TORONTO THAT JON MIGHT BE MENTALLY RETARDED ALL HIS LIFE – THEY STILL USED THAT TERM WAY BACK THEN. HE PROVED THEM WRONG AND WENT THROUGH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. MOST OF IT WAS SPECIALIZED. BECAUSE OF THE INJURY TO JON’S BRAIN AND THE SHUNT THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY ADVISED ME THAT I SHOULD LOOK AT ONLY THREE CAREER MOVING OPTIONS FROM TORONTO. BACK TO EDMONTON, TO OTTAWA OR HALIFAX FOR THE NEUROLOGICAL MEDICAL FACILITIES THESE CITIES HAD.

WE TRANSFERRED TO THE HALIFAX AREA AND BEGAN OUR ADVOCACY FOR JON AND FOUND A GREAT PLACE CALLED THE DARTMOUTH DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE DARTMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL. IT WAS A FACILITY WHERE REGULAR CHILDREN, SPECIAL NEEDS AND THE BABIES OF SOME OF THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WERE LOOKED AFTER. IT HAD A STAFF OF SEVEN YOUNG WOMEN ALL WITH UNIVERSITY DEGREES IN WORKING WITH SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN. JON RECEIVED THE PHYSIOTHERAPY, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AND SPEECH THERAPY HE NEEDED TO MOVE AHEAD IN HIS RECOVERY. THE FACILITY WAS A NONE PROFIT ORGANIZATION AND I BECAME THE PRESIDENT SO THE STAFF NEW ME WELL. IT WAS AT THIS TIME IN HIS LIFE JON BECAME A GREAT STORY TELLER. I SHOWED UP AT THE CENTER ONE DAY AND THE STAFF CAME RUSHING UP WITH HORRIFIED LOOKS ON THEIR FACES AND TOUCHING MY ARMS AND ASKING IF I WAS OKAY. THERE WAS A TV SERIES CALLED RESCUE 911 OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT AND JON HAD WATCHED IT A FEW WEEKS BEFORE THIS AND HAD WOVE A STORY FOR THE STAFF ABOUT SOME GUY STEPPING OFF THE SIDEWALK AND GETTING HIT BY A CAR AND HAVING TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL IN AN AMBULANCE. JON LEAD THE STAFF TO BELIEVE IT WAS ME – IT WAS HILARIOUS. JANETTE AND I WERE ALSO WORKING WITH JON AT HOME ESPECIALLY ON HIS SHORT TERM MEMORY. A SIMPLE EXAMPLE IS WE WOULD TELL HIM TO PICK UP HIS KNIFE OF THE TABLE, WALK OVER TO THE COUNTER AND PUT IT IN THE SINK. HE WOULD GET TO THE SINK AND TURN AROUND WITH A PUZZLED LOOK BECAUSE HE HAD ALREADY FORGOTTEN THE LAST STEP OF THE INSTRUCTIONS – WITH TIME HE OVERCAME THIS CHALLENGE. MY CAREER TOOK US BACK TO EDMONTON AND JON STARTED HIS SCHOOLING AT THE GLENROSE REHABILITATION HOSPITAL – ANOTHER OUTSTANDING FACILITY. THE GLENROSE WOULD REMAIN PART OF HIS LIFE INTO HIS TEENS WITH PHYSIOTHERAPY AND FITTINGS FOR NEW SPLINTS FOR HIS LEFT HAND AND LEG AS HE OUTGREW THE ONES HE HAD. FROM THE GLENROSE JON MOVED TO THE LAUDERDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WHICH HAD SEPARATE CLASSES FOR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN BUT INTEGRATED THEM WITH THE REST OF THE STUDENTS IN MANY WAYS. HIS ACADEMICS CONTINUED TO MOVE AHEAD. THROUGH THESE YEARS WHEN JON WAS YOUNGER HE ALSO SPENT TIME AT CAMP HE HO HA WEST OF THE CITY AND BECAME A REALLY GOOD SWIMMER WITH THE PARALYMPIC SPORTS ASSOCIATION. NABIS OR THE NORTHERN ALBERTA BRAIN INJURY SOCIETY BECAME PART OF OUR LIVES THROUGH THIS TIME PERIOD WITH ME JOINING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND JON JOINING THE YOUTH GROUP. FROM LAUDERDALE ELEMENTARY JON WENT TO LY CAIRNS COMBINATION JUNIOR AND HIGH SCHOOL THAT SPECIALIZES IN ASSISTING STUDENTS WITH ACADEMIC CHALLENGES. IT WAS AT LY THAT JON PUT THE FINALE ON PROVING THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY AT SICK KIDS IN TORONTO WRONG ABOUT THEIR COMMENT RE THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING RETARDED. JON HAD MOVED UP THROUGH THE EDUCATION SYSTEM AND WAS THE VALEDICTORIAN OF HIS GRADUATING CLASS AT LY CAIRNS. HIS FIGHTING SPIRIT AND A PASSION TO OVERCOME LIFE CHALLENGES WAS A KEY CHARACTERISTIC THAT KEPT JON GOING THROUGH HIS SHORT LIFE. AGAINST ALL THE ODDS THROWN AT HIM HE MIGHT GET DISCOURAGED BUT WOULD NOT GIVE UP. ESPECIALLY ON HIS DREAMS. HE WAS A DREAMER AND HAD DREAMS HE WANTED TO REACH AND WOULD NOT LET ANYONE STEAL HIS DREAMS. ONE OF THE DREAMS HE VALUED WAS HIS INDEPENDENCE AND EVEN WHEN HE WAS SMALL WHEELS PLAYED A PART IN IT. HE DID NOT WANT TO STAY ON A SMALL TWO WHEELER WITH TRAINING WHEELS BUT HE COULD NOT RIDE ONE WITHOUT THEM. WE BOUGHT HIM A THREE WHEEL ADULT TRIKE AND HE RODE AROUND THE NEIGHBOURHOOD ON IT AND ALWAYS GOT POSITIVE ATTENTION BECAUSE IT WAS DIFFERENT. THE SHINE OF THE THREE WHEELER FADED AND THEN HE DID WANT A TWO WHEEL MOUNTAIN BIKE AND WE HAD A SHOP ADAPT SMALL BIKE WHEELS AS TRAINING WHEELS AND HE RODE AROUND THAT WAY. JON DONATED HIS THREE WHEELER TO THE GLENROSE REHABILITATION HOSPITAL TO USE OR TO GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO COULD USE IT BUT COULD NOT AFFORD ONE – HE WAS A GIVER BACK THEN. THEN ONE DAY JON SURPRISED US AND MADE A DECISION AND TOOK THE ADAPTED TRAINING WHEELS OFF THE MOUNTAIN BIKE AND RODE WITHOUT THEM. AS HE GOT OLDER THAT INDEPENDENCE CHANGE TO WANTING TO DRIVE A CAR. WHEN HE WAS WRITING HIS DRIVERS TEST HE WOULD FAIL BUT KEPT GOING BACK AND ON THE FOURTH TIME EVEN THE GIRLS IN THE REGISTRY WERE CHEERING HIM ON AND HE MADE IT ON THAT FOURTH TRY AND WAS PROUD OF IT. WE SWEATED THROUGH HIS FIRST ROAD TRIP BY HIMSELF – WAS TO LETHBRIDGE – HE HAD TO CALL US AND REPORT IN REGULARLY BECAUSE WE IMAGINED HIM ENDING UP EVERYWHERE ELSE EXCEPT IN LETHBRIDGE. TYPICAL OF JON HE WAS NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THE ROAD TRIP HE WAS MORE CONCERNED WE WERE SO WORRIED. HE MADE THE TRIP THERE AND BACK NO ISSUE. IN HIS LATE TEENS JON WENT TO WORK AT YELLOWHEAD HARLEY DAVIDSON AND HE DEVELOPED A PASSION FOR TWO WHEELED MOBILITY AGAIN – MOTORBIKES. HE KEPT TELLING ME THAT I NEEDED TO GET A MOTORBIKE SO WE COULD RIDE TOGETHER WHEN HE HAD HIS.

ANOTHER PIECE OF THE INDEPENDENCE THAT JON WANTED WAS TO LIVE ON HIS OWN AND HE WAS GONE AND BACK HOME A COUPLE TIMES BEFORE HE FINALLY WAS ABLE TO REALLY DO IT. HE ALWAYS SAID “I AM NOT HOME FOR LONG DAD – I WILL HAVE MY OWN PLACE” ANOTHER DREAM WAS GETTING A TATTOO LIKE SOME OF HIS FRIENDS AND I WOULDN’T LET HIM GET ONE UNTIL HE WAS AT LEAST 16 AND ONE DAY WITHOUT TELLING US HE WAS DOING IT JON CAME HOME WITH A HEART AND THE WORDS “MOM AND DAD” FOREVER ON HIS ARM. WHEN I CHALLENGED HIM WHY HE GOT IT AND WHY THAT TATTOO HE LOOKED AT ME WITH THOSE BROWN EYES AND SAID “BECAUSE YOU AND MOM HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THERE FOR ME” – I MELTED AND THAT WAS THE END OF IT. HIS STRONG SPIRIT AND PASSION WOULD KEEP HIM FOCUSED ON HIS DREAMS EVEN WHEN I TRIED TO COACH HIM THAT I THOUGHT HE SHOULD CHANGE HIS THINKING. EVEN THOUGH HIS LEFT ARM DID NOT WORK THAT WELL HE HAD DEVELOPED A LOVE OF MOTOR BIKES WHEN HE WORKED AT YELLOWHEAD HARLEY AND ONE OF HIS DREAMS WAS TO BUILD A MOTOR BIKE. HE SCRAPED AND SCRIMPED TO BUY PARTS AND SOME PEOPLE DID NOT THINK HE WOULD BE ABLE TO BUILD IT INCLUDING MYSELF. RECENTLY WHEN WE WERE MOVING SOME OF HIS BELONGINGS INTO HIS STORAGE UNIT HE HAD ALREADY MOVED THE BIKE PARTS IN AND HAD PUT THEM TOGETHER AND IT LOOKED LIKE A MOTOR BIKE. I WAS IMPRESSED WITH WHAT HE HAD DONE AND WAS GOING TO TELL HIM I WAS PROUD OF IT BUT JUST RAN OUT OF TIME TO TELL HIM. HIS GOOD FRIEND TYRELL IS GOING TO FINISH BUILDING THE BIKE FOR JON SO HIS DREAM WILL BE REALIZED. ANOTHER ONE OF HIS DREAMS WAS TO RESTORE AN OLD 50”s PICKUP TRUCK THAT HE HAD MOVED INTO HIS STORAGE UNIT. WE ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE IT TO THE SCRAP YARD LIKE I USED TO THREATEN HIM – IT WILL GO BACK TO THE ACREAGE. HIS BIGGEST DREAM WAS TO FIND A GIRLFRIEND THAT WOULD FINALLY UNDERSTAND HIM AND BE HIS SOUL MATE. THIS DREAM WAS REALIZED LAST YEAR WHEN KAYLA CAME INTO HIS LIFE AND WAS A BRIGHT STAR FOR HIM AND IT MADE HIM SO HAPPY. HE HAD FINALLY FOUND SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTOOD HIM, TOOK HIM FOR WHO HE WAS AND THEY THOUGHT IN SIMILAR WAYS. JON WAS ALWAYS TALKING TO US AND OTHERS ABOUT KAYLA. JANETTE AND I COULD VISIBLY SEE HOW KAYLA ENLIGHTENED HIS LIFE – IT WAS SO GOOD FOR HIM. KAYLA’S PARENTS TOOK JON IN LIKE ONE OF THE FAMILY.

JON WAS A GIVER FROM HIS HEART

WE HEARD THIS FROM ALL THE FRIENDS THAT CAME TO VISIT HIM AND HOW HE IMPACTED MANY OTHER PEOPLE WE DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT. HE WAS WILLING TO HELP ANYBODY THAT ASKED HIM FOR IT ESPECIALLY WHEN ONE OF HIS FRIENDS HAD TO MOVE. AS I MENTIONED EARLIER HIS FRIEND CODY FROM THE BIKE SHOP SAID JON WAS ALL ABOUT OTHERS AND WE KNOW THIS IS SO TRUE. THIS WAS REFLECTED IN WHAT ANOTHER FRIEND, BIG JOHN SAID ABOUT THE TIME HE WAS RECOVERING FROM A HEART ISSUE. JONATHAN WOULD GO OVER TO SEE HOW HE WAS DOING AND SHOVEL THE SNOW OFF HIS SIDEWALK USING HIS ONE GOOD ARM. HE WAS ALWAYS ASKING US IF WE NEEDED HELP FOR SOMETHING. EVEN IN THIS LAST CRISIS JON WAS ACTING AS A GIVER – HE BROUGHT US ALL TOGETHER UNITED IN OUR LOVE FOR HIM AND IT HAS STRENGHTHENED OUR RELATIONSHIPS. IN THIS LAST CRISIS JON TAUGHT ME HOW TO CRY AGAIN – WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH NUMEROUS CRISES OVER THE YEARS AND I HAD STOPPED. I HAD INTERNALIZED AND PUT THIS CAPABILITY BEHIND A DOOR. IN THE DAYS WE SPENT WITH JON IN INTENSIVE CARE I SHED ALOT OF WATER FROM MY HEART THROUGH MY EYES. THANK YOU JON.

JONATHAN WAS ALSO DEEPLY REFLECTIVE AT TIMES

I REMEMBER WHEN HE WAS ABOUT SEVEN YEARS OLD AND I HAD COME HOME FROM MY CORPORATE JOB, STRESSED AND TIRED AND SAT DOWN ON THE COUCH AND HE CAME AND SAT DOWN BESIDE ME. HE SAID “WHATS WRONG DAD”, AND I DONT KNOW WHY BUT I SAID “WHATS THE MEANING OF LIFE JON” AND HE REPLIED “DAD IF YOU DONT LIKE IT CHANGE IT”. HIS RESPONSE FLOORED ME AND MADE ME DO ALOT OF THINKING. IT WAS AS IF WITH HIS BRAIN INJURY AND ALL THE CHALLENGES AND SOME OF THE HARDSHIPS HE FACED IN HIS LIFE HE HAD A DEPTH OF REFLECTIVENESS THAT WE DIDN’T HAVE. THIS TYPE OF REFLECTIVENESS WOULD CONTINUE TO COME OUT IN DIFFERENT WAYS THROUGH HIS LIFE AND I BELIEVE WOULD SOMEHOW IN SUBCONCIOUS WAYS PROVIDE US SOME GUIDANCE. IT ALSO CAME OUT IN HIS TATTOOS.I PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED HIS REASON FOR HIS FIRST TATTOO – MOM AND DAD FOREVER ON HIS RIGHT ARM. HE ALSO HAD THE COAT OF ARMS OF BERLIN TATTOOD ON HIS UPPER RIGHT CHEST TO REPRESENT HIS OMA AS SHE WAS FROM BERLIN AND HE REALLY LIKED HER. JON HAD A SKULL WITH A TOPHAT SMOKING A CIGGARETTE AND A HAND OF CARDS PUT ON HIS BACK THAT WHEN I FIRST SAW IT SAID IT WOULD SCARE CHILDREN OFF THE BEACH. HE SAID IT REPRESENTED HIS FIRST CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH DEATH WHEN HE WAS A BABY AND THE HAND OF CARDS OF LIFE HE WAS DEALT. THE HARLEY TATTO ON HIS ARM REPRESENTED HIS PASSION AND LOVE FOR MOTORBIKES.

WE HAVE ALSO LEARNED FROM JON.

THAT IT IS KEY TO BE A DREAMER AND NOT LET ANYONE STEAL YOUR DREAMS. THAT RELATIONSHIPS ARE MORE IMPORTANT IN LIFE THAN MANY OTHER THINGS. THAT FRIENDSHIP IS IMPORTANT AND NO HIDDEN AGENDAS. TO BE PASSIONATE. TO BE A GIVER AND FREELY BE A GIVER WITH NO STRINGS ATTACHED. TO NEVER GIVE UP NO MATTER WHAT THE ODDS ARE AGAINST YOU. NOT TO LET FEARS GUIDE YOU – BECAUSE OF THE BRAIN INJURY JON ALWAYS FACED HIS FEARS.

WHAT ARE GOING TO MISS ABOUT JON

HIS DETERMINATION EVEN THOUGH IT COULD BE FRUSTRATING AT TIMES. WE WILL ESPECIALLY MISS HIS BEAR HUG AND KISS ON OUR HEADS WITH HIS BRISTLY BEARD SCRATCHING OUR SCALP AND TELLING US HE LOVED US WHEN HE HAD BEEN VISITING AND WAS GETTING READY TO LEAVE. HIS PHONE CALLS WHEN HE WAS ON HIS BREAK FROM WORK TO SEE HOW WE WERE DOING AND TELL US HOW HIS WORK DAY WAS GOING. WHEN HE WOULD COME TO THE HOUSE AND I WAS SITTING DOWN IN A CHAIR AND HE WOULD COME UP AND PAT MY HEAD WITH HIS HUGE RIGHT HAND AND ASK ME HOW I WAS DOING. HIS NEPHEWS WILL MISS HIM GRABBING THEM AND PICKING THEM UP TO HIS SHOULDER WITH HIS GOOD ARM. WE ARE GOING TO MISS HIS HEARTY LAUGH ESPECIALLY WHEN HE WAS APPRECIATING GOOD MOTOR SOUNDS – IT WOULD BE SO AWESOME IF WE COULD ALL HEAR THAT LAUGH JUST ONCE MORE

FUNERAL DIRECTOR WILL PLAY THE RECORDING OF MOTORS AND JON LAUGHING.

THERE WILL BE MANY OTHER THINGS EVERYONE WILL MISS THAT ARE TOO MANY TO WRITE AND MANY I MAY NOT EVEN KNOW ABOUT. WE WILL HAVE TO CHERISH THE MEMORIES AND PICTURES WE HAVE OF JON. AT THE END OF HIS JOURNEY JON HAS SOME GOOD PEOPLE THAT PREDECEASED HIM TO GUIDE THE WAY, HIS GRANDMA AND GRANDPA, HIS OMA, HIS UNCLE BILL, MY COUSIN CLARK WHO HE LIKED AND CALLED UNCLE CLARK AND JANETTE’S FRIEND LINDA WHO USED TO LAUGH AND JOKE WITH JON AND GIVE HIM HUGS. HAVE A GOOD JOURNEY MY SON, MOM, DAD AND THE REST OF THE FAMILY WILL CHERISH THE 26 YEARS THAT WE DID HAVE TOGETHER. I KNOW THAT JON WILL BE WATCHING OVER US. ONE DAY WHEN THERE IS NO WIND YOU MAY FEEL SOMETHING FLICKING YOUR HAIR AND IT MIGHT BE JON LETTING YOU KNOW HE IS THERE.

*****

Some Readings and Remarks

From the

Tribute to Jonathan Warren

By Linda Wood Edwards

Certified Funeral Celebrant

July 26, 2013

In his book “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance,” Robert Pirsiq says:

“In a car you're always in a compartment, and because you're used to it you don't realize that through that car window everything you see is just more TV. You're a passive observer and it is all moving by you boringly in a frame.

On a cycle the frame is gone. You're completely in contact with it all. You're in the scene, not just watching it anymore, and the sense of presence is overwhelming.”

This feeling, this experience both literally and figuratively, is what Jon craved. He didn’t want to observe life, he wanted to live it and live it fully.

**

Jon enjoyed “Sons of Anarchy.” In one episode Jax Teller says: “Something happens at around 92 miles an hour – thunder-headers drown out all sound, engine vibrations travel at a heart’s rate, field of vision funnels into the immediate and suddenly you’re not on the road, you’re in it…That’s why I love these long runs. All your problems, all the noise, gone. Nothing else to worry about except what’s right in front of you. Maybe that’s the lesson for me today, to hold on to these simple moments. Appreciate them a little more – there’s not many of them left. (Season 5, Episode 1)

It’s no wonder that show spoke to Jon.

**

The song “Home” by Michael Buble was Jon and Kayla’s song. When they heard it at that Christmas party, the lyrics spoke to both of them. This added another genre to Jon’s very eclectic music taste. They even had a back-up song, just in case. Kayla’s parent’s song, “Dream Come True” by Frozen Ghost, seemed to fit them as well:

Love of my life, I don't have a lot to give you

What's in my heart is all that I can really give you

Love... undying love is all I have

A handful of words that might make you laugh

And all the strength you need

To make it through all your troubled times

I give all of myself to you

Only you

My dream come true

**

On Sunday after Jon passed, the family gathered on Bob and Janette’s deck to grieve and to celebrate his life. At some point a very large dragon fly entered their conversation and stayed awhile. They all agreed that it was Jon, just checking in – still giving.

**

(prayer) We thank you for the life of Jon Warren. For his strength and kindness, for his immense spirit that rose well above what others expected of him, and for the love that was shared through his amazing laugh. Touch the souls here and help them find comfort in the embrace of memories, for today and in the coming days. Amen.

**

Another quote by Jax Teller: “No matter what, you have to find the things that love you. Run to them. There’s an old saying, ‘That what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger’ I don’t believe that. I think the things that try to kill you make you angry and sad. Strength comes from the good things – your family, your friends, the satisfaction of hard work. Those are the things that’ll keep you whole. Those are the things to hold on to when you’re broken.” (“Sons of Anarchy” Season 5, Episode 1)

In this passage Jax tells us that strength comes from the good things in your life, and not from suffering. Jon believed and demonstrated that strength can come from both. Jon set a wonderful example for you. He would want to see those he loved turn their suffering into something positive; into strength.

**

From this day on, this place will bear the name of Jonathan Warren. It is here that his name will be honoured by those who love him. This place means he will always have his name. ** In committing Jon’s body to hallowed ground we do so with deep reverence for during life, that body was the temple of a unique and beloved personality. Treasure Jon’s memory. Leave thanksgiving, not regret, for Jon has filled us with memories. That he has lived, and what he has experienced, can never be taken from us.

**