Johnny John McCallister Slow Me Down, Lord for John Leonard McCallister March 31, 1956 - May 26, 2001 Words are naught to express our grief so deep. Though John would not want us to mourn the loss of him -- we do, and John would not want us to be so sad -- we are, and John would not want us to cry -- we cannot help it. We are left with the shock and pain of losing him -- yet, we can find comfort in knowing he was welcomed into Heaven. While watching the little children play, I drift back to my own childhood and revisit the joyful memories of our shared yesterdays. I reminisce about the little boy who talked of running away from home, but then, he couldn't for who would turn the lights on and off for him then? I reflect on a twelve-year-old who sent me wonderfully silly letters about Capitan's Smokey Bear. It was Smokey Bear this and Smokey Bear that -- good grief! I cherish the memory of the sixteen-year-old who came to live with my new family, so he could finish high school, because our mother could not control him any longer, and I cheered the long-awaited day when he graduated from the University of New Mexico. Through my veil of tears, today I can see his silly juvenile jokes seeking to quiet my fears, I can feel his soothing embraces attempting to relieve my pain, and I can hear his carefree laugher declaring to me that love never dies. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, and sand to sand . . . Our prayers beseeched the Lord for understanding of his passing, as before God Almighty we stood and consigned John's body and soul unto Him. Then, most of those congregated for this final goodbye left to sup an grieve collectively. And so, I, with the music John loved softly playing, and drinking a final farewell brew, and as the grave diggers covered his coffin -- I, his older sister, quietly said my goodbyes: "Lord, ease the pounding of my heart by the quieting of my mind. Steady my hurried pace with a vision of the Eternal reach of time. Give me, amidst the confusion of this day, the calmness of the Everlasting hills. Break the tension of my nerves and muscles with your soothing music. Help me to know the magical restoring power of faith and understanding. Slow me down, Lord, as I say goodbye to my beloved baby brother. Heal our hearts, and help us realize that John has merely slipped into the next room, and he is waiting for all of us somewhere very near -- just `round the bend." Loving husband, doting father, you have left this life, but your family will feel your love for them by means of all you touched. Guiding mentor, concerned teacher, you have gone ahead to blaze a new trail so your students will continue to grow and learn from you. Fallen brother, we were all so very blessed by your presence . . . and we were all moved by your tender touch . . . We will forever miss and love you, and you will live on in our hearts forevermore. Amen . . ." May 30, 2002 Johnny John Leonard McCallister Born March 31 1956 Albuquerque New Mexico USA Passed Away May 26 2002 Albuquerque New Mexico USA Cemetery Corona New Mexico USA Memorial Gardens