This is me, Amy. I'm so blessed by this man, as are many. I nearly have any words. So abrupt. So unexpected. I cannot imagine not having another meal, spa day at the gym, attending a church service, or another talk with him about life over margaritas. He makes everyone feel like they are the most valued and special person he has ever met. I don't know how one person could have the capacity to do that but he does. I think he will carry on in all of us by reminding us of what a difference it can make to take just a few moments more to smile, say hi, give a compliment, care about someone, get to know their story and express their value. I met Paul 6 months after his acceptance of Christ as his Savior and he approached me with my two special needs children in a church service. From that point, we met many Monday evenings for an early dinner and then church service, sometimes after for frozen yogurt! Seeing his excitement for God is infectious and made me realize what true acceptance of saving grace should look like in our lives...the difference it should make in how we live, the things we talk about, and where we spend our time. He always brought his personality to God...bare feet in the service was one of his signatures! He is the embodiment of living life and I cannot yet accept that he won't be part of ours any longer. But I KNOW where he is going and in a twinkling of an eye I will see him again. Can I just say I hate cancer and this part of our broken world! I cannot wait for the new heaven on earth without sin and death! The day Paul was diagnosed he said to me. "I'm not afraid to die. I've never been. But then again, I've never died before so there's that. But, now I know where I'm going. Yea...thankfully I got in 'right under the wire'. But you know, I'm kind of excited. It's kind of like a new adventure." I sat there rather dumbfounded and once again, amazed by his faith and love for God for saving him.....as Paul put it...."right under the wire". I love you Paul. You ran your race well, and saved the best and most important one.... for the last wire!❤️
Pics below: Paul and I out for a Mercy Me concert. His bare feet inspiring my Mark....in the same pew where we met. Flowers and Margaritas brought by Paul for me on mother's day.
"He makes everyone feel like they are the most valued and special person he has ever met. I don't know how one person could have the capacity to do that but he does. I think he will carry on in all of us by reminding us of what a difference it can make to take just a few moments more to smile, say hi, give a compliment, care about someone, get to know their story and express their value" Wow. Well said.