On behalf of Ann, Stacey and I along with our family members we would like to thank you all for your love of Paul and support and prayers for us...it has been so wonderful seeing dear friends and hearing so many great stories about Paul...it is an understatement to say that he was a very unique man and 'one in a million' and he will be sorely missed. As you all know, the days ahead will be filled with so many emotions for us all especially Ann and Stacey...as we all know death is a part of life and we can all rationalize that until we wake up each morning missing the heck out of a loved one and wondering how in the world we will go on...but you do...you find a way...it has been a joy and privilege to write these updates and I would not have been able to do so without having God lead and guide me. It was an honor to meet so many of you today and put names to faces of friends whom I had heard so much about all these years...there were a few of you who had asked for a copy of the poem I wrote and read at Paul's service so here it is...my personal thanks for loving and caring so much about my dear family.
My Tribute to Paul…
Don’t grieve for me…for now I’m free
I’m following the path God had planned for me
I took His hand when I heard Him call
Yes, I turned my back and left you all…
Please understand I could not stay another day
When getting well was just not my say
As you all know I gave it my best
And now God says it is time for me to rest
First you made us laugh…now you’ve made us cry..
God knows we surely do not understand why..
Don’t be burdened with times of sorrow
I wish you smiles and sunshine of tomorrow
My life’s been so full…I’ve savored much
Great friends…good times…my family’s touch…
If my leaving has left a void…
Then fill it with remembered joy…
Tasks left undone must stay that way
I found my peace at the close of the day
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief
Please don’t lengthen it now with undue grief…
May you always feel my presence…by your side
This is our Fathers’ wish that we must abide…
Lift up your hearts and peace to Thee
God wanted me now…He set me free…
~Laurie Chambers
Monday, April 5, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
it is a sad day....
AS most of you know, Paul's died this morning at around 4:00am...he had gotten up to use the bathroom around 2:00am and was almost back to his bed when he fell on the floor and was unresponsive...Ann called 911 and they began to adminster CPR...he was transported to Piedmont...they were able to get a pulse and heartbeat but he had 'been down' for 40 minutes or so and there was concern of brain damage...they were unable to keep his pulse and heartbeat and we all realized that it was just 'his time'...I take comfort in that Ann and I were with him when he took his final breathe as he didn't want to die alone...he fought long and hard and coming back this time was just more than his condition would allow him...though his determination never waivered even last evening before I left, he told me that maybe the therapists could help him regain his strength and getting him feeling better.
Paul's last day was spent going to see Dr. Woodson and afterwards, asked to be driven by some of the properties he owned...kind of take a ride through his 'beloved' Atlanta that he was instrumental in developing the skyline of (I know that's not good English but you all just please bear with me). Once they returned home he had some soup...then after I arrived, Ann went to get him a 'Steak n' Shake' milkshake (his very favorite)...he and I chatted our 'usual chat'...tonight it was about Obama's health care plan which was a loaded question...I gave my opinions then I bounced off him the quote I had received to have my yard cut, etc. and told him that he needed to get himself better so he could come see my new little house...that will never happen and he would be so proud.....I realize I am rambling here a little...I'm sorry...he seemed very fidgety while I was there first wanting to sit in the chair then get back in bed and sit up....'sitting up' seemed to be key yesterday as we heard the same comments from Ernestine...
After us all talking during the course of today, we have come to realize that Paul believed his time was near, though he never waivered with his determination...we know that he died peacefully...and that he is in Heaven...
We have made his funeral arrangements....many of you may not know that Paul's wish was to be creamated...just a few days ago Ann asked if that was 'really still his wish' and he told her "I've been telling you that ever since I first met you' so his ashes will be interred at a later date. On Monday, April 5th at 11:00am we will have a Memorial Service at HM Patterson & Son's on Allen Road in Sandy Springs...we will be there to receive family and friends at 10:00am...
We are holding up as well as can be expected...finalizing the arrangements was a great relief...we are good for now with food, etc. The days ahead will be difficult but we will get through...it would make Paul furious if we didn't....
Your continued prayers are so welcomed, appreciated and what we all need most right now....I must say that it has been a sincere privilege to write these updates about Paul and obviously regretted writing this one but knew it would happen one day...our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you.
Love, Laurie
Paul's last day was spent going to see Dr. Woodson and afterwards, asked to be driven by some of the properties he owned...kind of take a ride through his 'beloved' Atlanta that he was instrumental in developing the skyline of (I know that's not good English but you all just please bear with me). Once they returned home he had some soup...then after I arrived, Ann went to get him a 'Steak n' Shake' milkshake (his very favorite)...he and I chatted our 'usual chat'...tonight it was about Obama's health care plan which was a loaded question...I gave my opinions then I bounced off him the quote I had received to have my yard cut, etc. and told him that he needed to get himself better so he could come see my new little house...that will never happen and he would be so proud.....I realize I am rambling here a little...I'm sorry...he seemed very fidgety while I was there first wanting to sit in the chair then get back in bed and sit up....'sitting up' seemed to be key yesterday as we heard the same comments from Ernestine...
After us all talking during the course of today, we have come to realize that Paul believed his time was near, though he never waivered with his determination...we know that he died peacefully...and that he is in Heaven...
We have made his funeral arrangements....many of you may not know that Paul's wish was to be creamated...just a few days ago Ann asked if that was 'really still his wish' and he told her "I've been telling you that ever since I first met you' so his ashes will be interred at a later date. On Monday, April 5th at 11:00am we will have a Memorial Service at HM Patterson & Son's on Allen Road in Sandy Springs...we will be there to receive family and friends at 10:00am...
We are holding up as well as can be expected...finalizing the arrangements was a great relief...we are good for now with food, etc. The days ahead will be difficult but we will get through...it would make Paul furious if we didn't....
Your continued prayers are so welcomed, appreciated and what we all need most right now....I must say that it has been a sincere privilege to write these updates about Paul and obviously regretted writing this one but knew it would happen one day...our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you.
Love, Laurie
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