Celebrating Dawn and Jon

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Happy Anniversary! (to Jonathan and me)

Dear Everyone,

Just wanted to write a quick note of thanks to all who came to our wedding/sealing last year. It was a great day--the best, most happiest day! But at the wedding dinner I didn’t take the opportunity to say anything and I really regret that. I was feeling so tired after the celebrations of those past couple days that my brain wasn’t working quite coherently, so I wanted to say the things I’d been thinking then, now. (Thanks for waiting J).

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I waited so long for the right person and when I found him he was perfect for me. A lot less hair than

I anticipated, but I found out I loved bald! There wasn’t anyone sweeter, more concerned about me and more respectful. He treated me so well, was cultured and appreciated the person I’d tried to become. And he was so funny! We would laugh like crazy together. And he loved the Lord, had lived a righteous life and was worthy to go to the temple and marry me forever. And our names even rhymed, Jon & Dawn—it was a sign J. I loved that he helped me do the dishes, that he ate my rice krispy encrusted fish, that he understood when I was sick and was trying to be more budget conscious. And he was such a good, kind person and always treated everyone well. And he was so cute and could pick me up and swing me around, what a bonus! He would read out loud to me and with me (my favorite). He would read the scriptures, would hang out with my family and would take walks with me and talked to me. And he actually liked going shopping with me, or pretended to very well—something my own mother, family and friends would tire off after only 3 or 4 hours. What stamina! He was perfect. I loved the person he was, but moreover I LIKED the person he was and soon knew I wanted to be with him forever.

But also, I wanted to thank everyone who waited with me while I was waiting to find the right person. It wasn’t easy for me a lot of the time and sometimes I was sad, ornery and impatient J. I had a lot of family and good friends who stuck with me and cheered me up and onward when I was feeling disappointed. So, THANK-YOU to my family and friends for sticking by me and loving me and a big THANK-YOU to Jonathan’s family and friends for raising him so well and loving him, it made him into a person who was easy to love and be loved by.
 

And now, I owe you all another big thank-you for all the prayers and love and patience you’ve had with me since Jonathan’s death. It’s been difficult but how much harder it would have been without you. Thanks for the phone calls, visits, emails, the flowers, gifts, lunches, dinners, notes, laughs and “thinking of you’s” and again, especially the prayers. I’ve felt blessed. It’s been really, really, really appreciated. And I know Jonathan appreciates it too. J How lucky we were to be sealed. How much stronger my testimony is of God’s love for his children. That the Plan of Salvation is the Plan of Happiness. That Christ’s life, death and resurrection make it possible for Jonathan to be resurrected. I know this. I know that the only things that matter in life are our relationship with the Savior and our relationships with other people. How lucky we are.
 

Love you all,

Dawn Andrus Paine
 

P.S. Jonathan is definitely going to get me a great anniversary present this year! I just haven’t actually decided how good it’s going to be. J
 

And, there’s more! I decided to add the last entry Jonathan made in his journal. Just to end on a happy note.
 

Jonathan’s Journal: Fri 9-19-08
 

Today we had our wedding reception. It was billed as a “pre-wedding celebration” since Dawn isn’t good with staying on her feet all day and since she needs her rest, we divided it up into 2 days, and since we didn’t want to stick around after our wedding we did the reception first. We had tons of help. Kelly & my mom, Jo & Vicki, other friends & family, Jeff & Carolyn + kids were there (and will be tomorrow. It was all great. Well, I gotta get to bed because…

I’M GETTING MARRIED TOMORROW!!

Vicki here (editor of this blog and Jon's aunt)...I loved the poem that Jon wrote about his beloved and thought it appropriate to share it here again today:

A poem to Dawn….

No sunshine in my mourn
E’en though the sun was shining.
In darkness slept forlorn,
Morose, self pity pining.

Not til my afternoon
Did slumber turn awakening –
A stirring opportune
When, through clouds,
Dawn came breaking.

Comments

[vicki]

Dearest Dawn...Thank YOU for being you and recognizing just how terrific dear Jon is. After spending even a little time with you I totally understand why he loves and treasures you so much. I am inspired by your believing heart and happy nature even in the shadow of your great loss and the physical challenges that you face everyday.

You and Jon are two of the dearest, most treasured people in my life.

And, I just have to add one more thing:
Dear Steelers,
It would have been really, really nice if you could have won your game today. Jon would have really appreciated it, guys! Oh well...he will always love you just the same!

oops...and here's another thought:

Dear Jon,
I know just how much you love Dawn--she is such a cutie! And I just KNOW that you're gonna buy her a VERY terrific anniversary present!!
:^)