MONCK Gary

MONCK (Gary):

Dad,

I still can't find the words that reflect the pain of losing you. I'm not sure that I ever really will.

You may have embarrassed me on more occasions than I wish to admit growing up. It always felt like you were a generation older than you needed to be, and I honestly struggled to understand what you meant for longer than I dare to admit.

Notwithstanding that, you gave me the foundation of everything that I have ever known to be real. I never understood or appreciated you enough while you were alive, but grew to do so more in the last years than any of those that preceded them.

You suffered more than any human living in our privileged society was ever supposed to. I know how much this broke you, and I'm sorry for not being as understanding at the time, as the entitled and ungrateful brat that I was for most of my life.

In the end, you persevered to take care of the love of your life, Lesley, who survives to this day thanks to your sacrifice and unwavering commitment. While I wish you were still here, I thank you that she still is.

While we disagreed on so many things over so many years, I will never forget what you taught me, what you challenged me to investigate, and what you sowed in my soul that I might cultivate and mature one day. I am infinitely sorry for the pain that I caused you in being a slow learner.

While you are no longer for this world, you live forever in the kingdom of heaven, and I long to meet you there again one day soon, but not too soon. It is perhaps your greatest legacy that many generations to follow you will find you there, in time.

May you until then rest in peace. The battle is won and you have finished the race (2 Timothy 4:7), so thanks indeed be unto God.

I pray that I and many more shall follow in your example. We are forever in your debt for sharing it with us.

In parting, I share the words of U2 that I wept over decades before your death. They ring true now as they ever did.

God Bless you, and keep you for ever and ever. I love you, and look forward to joining you in eternity soon (but not too soon).

Love Always,

JP (or John-Paul, as you always knew me)

"Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own"

Tough, you think you've got the stuff

You're telling me and anyone

You're hard enough

You don't have to put up a fight

You don't have to always be right

Let me take some of the punches

For you tonight

Listen to me now

I need to let you know

You don't have to go it alone

And it's you when I look in the mirror

And it's you when I don't pick up the phone

Sometimes you can't make it on your own

We fight all the time

You and I...that's alright

We're the same soul

I don't need...I don't need to hear you say

That if we weren't so alike

You'd like me a whole lot more

Listen to me now

I need to let you know

You don't have to go it alone

And it's you when I look in the mirror

And it's you when I don't pick up the phone

Sometimes you can't make it on your own

I know that we don't talk

I'm sick of it all

Can – you – hear – me – when – I -

Sing, you're the reason I sing

You're the reason why the opera is in me

Well, hey now

Still I've got to let you know

A house doesn't make a home

Don't leave me here alone

And it's you when I look in the mirror

And it's you that makes it hard to let go

Sometimes you can't make it on your own

Sometimes you can't make it

Best you can do is to fake it

Sometimes you can't make it on your own

MONCK Gary (Grandad):

Though you are no longer with us, you and your boundless love will always be remembered.

Forever ingrained in my brain are you and grandma waving goodbye, until you cannot see us, by the end of your driveaway each time we drive away from your home. You will be deeply missed, but your endless love will endure indefinitely - I aspire to carry this forward and share your love just as Jesus guides us to.

May you eternally rest in peace in God's kingdom, with the promise of a heavenly reunion awaiting us all. God bless.

With love, Imogen.

MONCK (Gary):

Happy memories of growing up with Gary and the Monck family. Sympathy to his family, Vicki and Sue Barrett.

MONCK GARY Our sincere love and thoughts to Aunty Leslie and family on the sad passing of Uncle Gary.

Happy safe memories. Recent visits introducing my family cherished.

RIP Givenchy and family.