CELEBRATE FOR ME

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free.
I'm following the path God made for me.
I took His hand when I heard Him call
Then turned and bid farewell to all.

I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to sing, to play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way;
I found my peace … at close of play.

And if my parting left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss – 
Ah yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened … deep with sorrow;
I wish you sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I savored much – 
Family, friends, good times –
 a loved one's touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief;
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me –
God has me now.  He set me free.

A postscript to this enlightening thought – 
Do you really think I would have forgot?
At the risk of seeming somewhat rude,
Please know that a good life requires 
Good ATTITUDE! 


 
My pal, Jesse:

I came to really know my father-in-law, my pal, my mentor, Jesse since he moved back here shortly after the death of his wife, Sherlee, in Alabama. He moved some furniture and personal items with him, but, perhaps being misplaced, some of his belongings never arrived. It was upsetting, but he just took it in stride. He was happy to be back to reunite with his family here in Chicago where he was raised.

Jesse made new friends wherever he went – at his new church on Sundays to evenings out at Morton’s, his favorite restaurant.

He told many stories of his past, growing up in a family of eleven, and of his wife, Sherlee, and his adopted step-children, Dariana and Byrom. He was a man who loved family – especially kids. Jesse was always beaming around his granddaughter Kimberly and his great-grandkids David, Alex, and Victoria.

After Jesse’s stroke, he moved in with Felicia and me.  Jesse gave up most of the things that he brought back to Illinois. He held on to only a few precious mementos – especially his books. As a self- proclaimed student of history, he mastered all the battles of the Civil War and the war generals’ biographies.

As Jesse slowed and needed assistance walking, he never complained – NEVER. He would say only how lucky he was to be healthy and with family. You see, he accepted growing old gracefully and relished his blessings. As I began to experience the pain of arthritis that was evident in him, he would admit only that he felt weakness but that in general he was “super-fine.”

Jesse had accepted all that came his way in life with gratitude and dignity. His famous one-word motto in life was “ATTITUDE.” And Jesse had the best attitude I have ever witnessed.

My pal, Jesse, has inspired me with his simplicity of life expectations. He has inspired me to realize the relative unimportance of many things that we sometimes cling onto. Jesse has inspired me to improve my too-often pessimistic attitude and to enjoy life – to make the best of whatever comes our way.

We will miss you, Jesse.
Your Pal, Warren


In Loving Memory of

Jesse “Chuy” Vargas
September 25, 1924 – April 28, 2018

Entombment
ALL SAINTS MAUSOLEUM

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free.
I'm following the path God made for me.
I took His hand when I heard Him call
Then turned and bid farewell to all.

I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to sing, to play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way;
I found my peace … at close of play.

And if my parting left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss – 
Ah yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened … deep with sorrow;
I wish you sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I savored much – 
Family, friends, good times –
 a loved one's touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief;
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me –
God has me now.  He set me free.

A postscript to this enlightening thought – 
Do you really think I would have forgot?
At the risk of seeming somewhat rude,
Please know that a good life requires 
Good ATTITUDE! 


OBITUARY

Jesse Vargas

September 25, 1924 – April 28, 2018

Glueckert Funeral Home

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