This will be the shortest post but the hardest. Paula moved on to the great skating rink/garden/dance floor (take your pick) in the next world at 12:37 this morning. She went peacefully.
As I have told some people already, I was blessed for these 36 years. We have lived a life that I could have only dreamed of. We have talked many times about if it all ended tomorrow we would have no regrets, and I have none. We have taken the wise words of Auntie Mame - LIVE, LIVE, LIVE......
Jeff
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Jeff, we are all here for you. I'm so sorry.
ReplyDelete~ Lexi
My heart goes out to you and all of Paula's family.
ReplyDelete*gently lays one last rose on the ice for Paula*
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear this.
ReplyDeleteSo Sorry,
Sharidan
Jeff,
ReplyDeleteMy heart breaks for you. Again, there are no words of comfort to offer. I know you know you are loved, and have amazing support around you. If there ANYTHING you need, please don't hesitate to call.
I will do the only thing I know how to do for you, and that's pray.
Shar'ee
Jeff, we are so sorry to hear of your lost.
ReplyDeleteAt this sad time there is little anyone can do. May you know that our prayers and thoughts
are there with you.
Jeanie & Mel
Deat Jeff,
ReplyDeleteWe've never met, but I've known Paula (as a skater) for many years. I've always been amazed by her accomplishments, enthusiasm and demeanor. We've had a symbiotic support system and she's always been so encouraging! I'm sending thoughts of love and support for you and your families.
It turns out that the quantity of Paula's time with us was brief (way too brief!) but the QUALITY was exceptional! This is serving as a great reminder for me to appreciate, appreciate, appreciate! I'm privileged to have known her. Love keeps us all connected; she will always be in my heart!
With much love and support,
Debbie Barry
There are no words. You will miss her dreadfully, and we, the international adult skating community (who will also miss her) can but hold you in our thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDelete“The risk of love is loss, and the price of loss is grief -- But the pain of grief is only a shadow when compared with the pain of never risking love.” -- Hilary Stanton Zunin
ReplyDeleteI am so glad Paula was so tenderly loved and appreciated by so many, especially and most of all you, Jeff.
Jeff
ReplyDeleteMy heartfelt condolences go out to you. I am sure that the past few weeks were the most difficult in your life, and the road is still going to be hard. However I hope that you can gain some peace knowing that all of these wonderful people are really and truly here for you in anyway that you need them.... a hug, an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, even a swim lane to share.... You and Paula are truly blessed and special to have been able to spend those 36 years together. I wish you all the strength and peace possible, and may you always carry the positive light of Paula with you every day...... Much Love to you all.. Julie Flores
Jeff, I am so sorry. Make sure you get a hundred, no, at least a thousand hugs a day from your friends and family there with you. My heart goes out to you and Paula's family.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you all.
Jeanne Ensign
Jeff,
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts and prayers are with you and your's and Paula's families and friends. It must be unreal to have it so final. I can't imagine what it must be like for you. You've been given a very difficult path to try to follow from the darkness of the present to the light at the end of this road. Your many friends will be happy to help you find your way. I pray that you'll find courage and strength as you undertake this journey.
Nancy
Jeff,
ReplyDeleteYour PSI family all have heavy hearts. I hope you can feel the support from the staff here in Burbank. Our thoughts, prayers and endless support are with you during this difficult time.
Jeff, sorry just does not seem like enough at this difficult time. It seems as if you and Paula were blessed to have found each other and to have spent 36 wonderful years together. May your fond memories help you through the difficult times ahead. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
ReplyDeleteTracy, Ashley & Meaghan
Jeff,
ReplyDeleteWords seem inadequate to express the sadness we feel about losing Paula. Just know that so many people are better for having had Paula in their lives--the adult skating community, the dog rescue community, the gardening community, and even your community of fellow swimmers. That which Paula brought to you and everyone else will live on through the people (and dogs) she touched. She leaves behind quite a legacy, and that will never go away.
Please know that we are here for you in any way that you need us. If that means getting up at 4:00 AM to drag you to the pool, then so be it. We care so much about you and will do all that we can to help you travel this difficult path.
Love, Heidi and Ed
Jeff,
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear that Paula passed on. I wish that I could have known her. I've been reading this blog everyday and she was a really neat person. Let me know if there is anything I can do.
Mary (CSA)
Dear Jeff, May the memories you hold dear be your comfort in this time of sorrow. Paula will live on in our memories and in our hearts--our volunteers and Keeshond rescue dogs will never forget her. Susan McCoy SoCA Keeshond Rescue, Inc.
ReplyDeleteJeff, I noticed the sun shone a little less brightly this morning. Now I understand why. My heart goes out to you, your family, and your friends.
ReplyDeleteI will be out looking at the sky tonight, knowing that I will see a new star shining brightly in the heavens.
Thank you for allowing me to join you and Paula on this journey. I have been so moved by the stories and sentiments shared by those people touched by you and your lovely soul mate.
God bless you, dear Paula, and thank you for gracing us with your generosity, compassion, and sparkle.
With heartfelt sympathy,
Cindi
Another skater whom you do not know offers her deepest sympathy to you, and sincere thanks for sharing her with us. She skates now without pain.
ReplyDeleteLinda
Jeff,
ReplyDeleteWe share heartfelt sympathy in your loss and grief, and pray you find comfort in the memories you have shared with Paula. We pray the Lord will be with you and give you peace. We are remembering Paula and her kindness when she brought me soup when I had the flu or the lovely unexpected bouquet of flowers she made me from the garden she loved. Thinking of the joy she had cooking in the kitchen we remodeled, as well as the other projects she had us involved with always showing her creative beauty, warmth and love. All of us who have known her have been blessed and she will be remembered as one who lived, laughed and loved well. We will miss seeing her wave happily as she watered or tended the garden as we drove past your house, we will miss seeing her ride her bike or walk the dog past our house always stopping to visit with us when we were out. She was joyful in everything she did.
Love,
Debbie and Robert
Jeff,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear that Paula isn't with us anymore. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Mary
Jeff -
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry. I still remember when you two told me the story of how you met. It's a beautiful story. I know you will miss her very much.
Kristen Moyer
"And when she shall die, cut her out in little stars,
ReplyDeleteand she shall make the face of heaven so bright,
that all the world will fall in love with night,
and pay no worship to the garrish sun"
Romeo and Juliet
Rest peacefully, Paula.
Your friends Alyce and Dee DeMarco and sons
Jeff, what an inspiration Paula was to me years ago when I could barely skate (helmet, knee pads, hugging the boards). Her grace on and off the ice will never be forgotten. Blessings to you,
ReplyDeleteDr. Karen
Dear Jeff - Sending you many warm hugs from Arizona. You and Paula were and will always be a most wonderful team of supporters and motivators for so many! We had so much fun practicing and putting each other on the ice for competitions - after all "it's just skating!" Paula's sense of humor, love of gardening and her practical but positive attitude are just a few great memories. Each graceful sway of a rose bloom will remind me of her. Love to you always, Paula and Jeff!
ReplyDeleteJenny Thompson
Jeff,
ReplyDeleteOur whole family is so deeply sorry and sad for the loss of one of the world's shining vivid stars - Paula. I for one, won't ever pass a lovely rose garden without thinking of her. We will always keep an image of her brightly smiling, kind and beautiful face in our hearts. I know you guys were so lucky to have found each other, and your time with her was too short by far.
Much love to you Jeff and let us know if we can help in any way.
Tracey and Jim Gilmore