Juliane Patricia Richard joined Jesus on September 26, 2006. She is no longer suffering the pain and hardship of her last days.

She was a loving christian wife and mother.

I've been told that her husband gave a truly honoring eulogy that should not have been missed.
How I yearn to have been there, but I was not. For hearing of her terminal disease, I cowered and hid from it like a frightened child. Oh, if only I had the courage.


I didn't know Julie well for I was but an acquaintance, no, more than that, but I'm not sure if a friend. You see, I met Julie about a year before her departure, though I only saw her briefly now and again as she picked up her children. Seeing the way that she loved them, I would have liked to have had her as my mother, if only, I were forty years younger.

Perhaps I should explain. My own mother, was not truly present in my life, I had a nanny till I was 10. And after not hearing from my mother for nine years, I called her on her birthday and asked if she would like to get together and talk. She replied, "I'm not enthusiastic about it." I do not believe that my mother and I shall ever speak again.

When her husband told me of her lung cancer, being a smoker, I replied "I wish I could trade." "Me too," he replied.
I don't think that he understood that really I meant it. That I was ready to be done with my life; that my paternal family is dead to me. I have no ties here.
What I didn't understand was that that was not part of God's perfect plan.

There was a time in the summer, when she and I were outside of The King's Cup Coffee Shop when we had an opportunity to talk. It was then that I saw Jesus in her eyes.
Looking into her eyes, I said to her, "I have been where you are. I know of the Joy deep in your heart and I am glad to see it in you." "You could have it again," she replied as if speaking for Jesus. If only she had known of my feelings of unworthiness and inadequacy. In those few moments, looking into each others eyes/hearts I felt as though we connected.
For these reasons, the tears have come, yes even now as I write this.
I will truly miss her.

Make no mistake, I cannot and will not compare my sense of loss with that of her husband or children. For their's is a loss beyond comprehension. No one can tell another what it is like to loose a wife, or a mother. Their hearts torn in half when she was taken. I feel great sorrow for the loss that they have had to endure and will have to endure for years to come. I have nothing to offer them other than what Julie offered to me, the Love and Peace of Jesus Christ. May He give them both compassion and strength as they try so to understand why. Why?!

If you would like to leave a note, you can do so by clicking on the guestbook below. If you want to submit a poem, please email me.

When you feel overwhelmed, call to Jesus, cry to Jesus, be with Jesus, and He will wipe away your tears.

It seems sad that it was Julie's departure that brought me back to Him. Yet, isn't that what she was asking me to do on that summer day?

Stay close to the Lord. Always seek the truth. Be a soldier for Christ. I think that is what Julie would want. For the Lord to look down and smile at our efforts to try to prevail, regardless of our circumstances.


May God bless you as you walk through life for Him."

If you are having trouble with or would like some company along that walk, feel free to visit your local church of your choice.