Leearne's Tribute
Alfred
d’ Souza
'For
a long time, it had seemed to me that Life was about to begin – Real Life.
Like
us all, Life dealt Leearne her set of obstacles; and not un-like most of us
here, she was determined to get through them, rise above the obstacles
and make a better life for herself.
We
all sit here today to celebrate and pay tribute to the Life and
passing of our friend, sister, daughter and most importantly mother
of 2 very special children – Susannah and
Russell. Having
kids is like throwing the 'genetic dice' - God gives you the best!
I
believe Susannah and Russell are 2 of the best things Leearne ever
accomplished in her life!
Life
is not like a box of chocolate – Life is not scripted and not a movie
production. Life is in fact a jigsaw puzzle made up of multitudes of
different people all interacting for richer and poorer, for better or worse,
in sickness and in health.
Family
members, relations, friends, acquaintances, even a stranger walking down the
street who could have been an angel in disguise! Some people have incredible
power and influence on our life; some with none. Some have divine
intervention; even if it is for but a brief moment. YES - Life is about war and disaster, fire and famine;
Life
is about finding love, being in love and too often falling out of
love;
Life
is about pride and passion but also about disappointment, jealously
and even premeditated destruction;
Life
is also about the giving and taking of life and; Life is about
Death and ultimately passing on the batten!
For
most of us - it seems to take a Lifetime to actually work ourselves out.
And often its when we are confronted with crisis and even facing death - the
True Inner Self emerges.
For
me Leearne; during the past several months was the Leearne I remember when I
was a kid. But like Leearne we all become preoccupied with the obstacles
that make up our life – Stuff.
The
past several weeks Leearne had by the Grace of God; opportunity to lay aside
the STUFF and get on with her Life – The Progressive Release Of Her
Spirit.
We
all sit here today because we are part of the jigsaw puzzle that made up
Leearne’s life; and in fact, she was part of our jigsaw puzzle,
which we call our Life.
Jigsaw
puzzles
are never complete until the last pieces are put into place.
Some
puzzles are pretty easy and very predictable – most take an absolute
lifetime to complete. However when your running to the clock – and your
under the pump its amazing how those pieces that never seemed to fit;
finally just seem to ALL fall into place.
I
think; This Is The Grace Of God in our individual lives. We can spend
a lifetime going around the mountain before we finally cross the river
Jordan.
We
all sit here today, because we were part of the pieces; BIG or SMALL that
were fashioned to make Leearne’s life.
4-weeks
ago; as
family - we were confronted with the news that Leearne’s condition had
deteriorated. During this second operation – they simply sewed her back up
and like most of us have heard before – the caring and compassionate
doctor advises - Get Your
House In Order.
I
witnessed the essence and purity of Leearne’s spirit emerging over
recent months but when she was under the pump – it was by the GRACE
OF GOD that Leearne drew from the incredible depth of her being; and shared
her life with us all. Some of you witnessed this over the recent weeks.
Each
day was a winner
with Leearne. Each day Leearne’s spirit had another Chapter that
was being written. We spend a lifetime attempting to sort out issues from
our childhood or the hurts that accumulate over the years. Unfortunately;
some of our best material is written in the final hours.
It
was during this period I was overwhelmed with my sister transforming
before my eyes. Over the years we have all testified to the handiwork of God
and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. But HEY: this was my sister. I witnessed and saw the grace of God on her face.
I
witnessed depth of compassion, wisdom and a presence of God in her voice
and instruction.
She
was clear, concise and ultimately further away in God than what I have ever
experienced. In fact; She was ministering to me!
The
scripture calls it the shikina glory – the presence of angel’s
wings upon us. This was not Leearne. This was something else that I did not know about her. In her death was the revelation of something beyond us all!
‘Courage
is not the absence of Fear but through the presence of Fear, Courage is the ability
to look Fear in the face and Carry on’.
Life
DID deal its blows to Leearne but with an enormous and persistent courage
she continued her Life’s journey.
Leearne
has always had a faith in God – some of us have been like the preverbal
sausage on the BBQ and at other times we have wonder if we have enough
frequent flyer points to get home – or have they expired!
Leearne
KNEW her salvation. She inspired those around with her prophetical
words of wisdom and counsel. On many occasions she looked me in the eyes and
told me she was not fearful and KNEW where she was going. In fact mum
told me after Leearne had passed that on her last day; she told mum that the
Lord was talking to her and showing her the way.
Leearne
had been fasting for the past several months because of her
condition. As her body became less reliant on the props that we call our
existence she daily drew her strength from her Lord.
I
trust that this day of remembrance is a day that we all start to live
Life, as we should. Dismantle and lay aside the issues that are not Life
giving. I am sure that Leearne would say to us now – to restore
relationships, resolve our differences and make better lives for our selves
and the world around us. “A
pure religion before God; is one that cares for the widow, orphaned and the
infirmed,”
(James 1 vs. 27 [KJV - Adapted])
Finally:
Trevor-
you were the final piece of the jigsaw puzzle – your compassion and
understanding, your encouragement and support; and of course - your love;
was phenomenal. Leearne said to Kate; that you loved her like she thought
she could never be loved. Thank
you! Dr Mal Hooper
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