This is Jacob's eulogy that he wrote and gave in front of the standing room only church of around 350 people on June 16. I only suggested one change - a duplicate word. I was extremely proud of him. I had to follow him with the eulogy I wrote. My eulogy for Mary wouldn't have been as good if I didn't follow the great example my son Jacob set for me. He was really remarkable - all and to make it even more remarkable, he was supposed to have his Bar Mitzvah on June 15.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi everybody, I would like to share a few words about my Mom. Loving, caring, the best, smart, funny, and understanding are all words that could describe my Mom. My mom was probably one of the nicest people and most compassionate people any of us will ever know. She was one of the most peaceful people ever, if you met her you would understand. When I was younger, even if somebody deserved to get yelled at, she would never follow through with it. She always supported us, no matter what happened.
I remember, back in the beginning of March this year, even though she was under heavy medicine she still made the trip to my first Soccer game. Her legs were wrapped due to her lymphedema, and she was having trouble walking. The game was at the lower field at Chubb Park, for those of you that know, The lower Chubb Park field is down a very steep slope. She managed to walk down it and back up just to see her son play. My Mom was the kind of person who would give everything to see us play or do something we love.
She was the kind of person who would put everybody before herself. When she was in the hospital for her last stay, she still managed to get a birthday present for my Aunt. My mom advised me on everything, whether it was a project, friends, or even girls! She used to proofread all of my essays and writing tasks, even if she had to do work. She would stay up later just to help her son out. We did everything as a family, our trips like going to Avalon, Disney World, or the Caribbean were some of her favorite places to visit. My Grandma said to me the other day, ‘She never left Disney World.’, just a month ago we were in Disney together as a family. We walked miles a day and stayed out late, and she was fine. The night we flew back she had a major headache and spent her last month almost fully in the hospital. So I agree with my Grandma that she never left Disney. In December when she found out about the new found cancer, she didn’t want my Dad and I to cancel our 5k run in Disney, so she tagged along. She did everything to make sure others were happy.
My Mom’s love for her family and friends was so large that she continuously fought back the Cancer. I am sure not all of you know about this so I will just say it. Wednesday Night, (the night before she died) {this is Eric. He actually meant early Thursday morning} I could not sleep from 3:00 a.m to 5:45 am. The importance of this time frame is, Mom died at 5:45.
As soon as I fell asleep I had a dream or vision of sorts that she was sitting at the foot of the couch i was sleeping on. The only thing I said was ‘You’re cured from cancer!’ she responded by saying ‘Yes.’ and it was gone. In my dream she had all her hair, no wraps, and was sitting up straight. The couch I had this dream on, was the couch I NEVER slept in and the last place my Mom was in this house before her final Hospital visit. At first, I thought I had gone crazy, but after telling enough people and them telling me it was real and she contacted me on the way out, I agree. Out of the entire family she contacted me, she wanted me to know that she was OK.
I will forever miss Mom, everything about her read “Angel”. She was my Mom and my closest friend, I told her everything. I remember when I was making my first list for my Bar Mitzvah, my Dad said ‘I don’t know half of these kids!’ and my Mom responded by saying ‘Well, you don’t drive Jacob to sports and hear the daily scoop on what happened in School in the car!’ I told her everything.
Billy Joel said, “ Only the Good die young”. This holds true for my Mother. She was an Angel on earth. I will forever miss her, there will forever be a hole in my heart that I will never again fill.
Jacob Frenchman
Eric, I heard about Jacob's eulogy from a few people. I heard it was beautiful. It was. I know that you've been through a lot as a family. Jacob nailed it about the "hole in the heart" that will never be filled. We didn't know Mary, but Jacob helped us know just how special she was. You and your family continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless all of you.
Posted by: Richmistkowski | June 22, 2013 at 06:12 AM