Kevin John O'Connor
April 22, 1953 - August 11, 2010


As I faced my Maker at the last Judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with the
other souls. Before each of us laid our lives, like the squares of a quilt, in many
piles. An angel sat before each of us sewing quilt squares together into tapestries
that represented our lives. But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I
noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares were. They were filled with giant
holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the
challenges and temptations I was faced with in everyday life. I saw hardships that
I had endured, which were the largest holes of all.

I glanced around me. No one else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and
there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and bright hues of worldly
fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened. My angel was sewing the
ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty. Finally, the time came when
each life was to be displayed, held up to the light. . . the scrutiny of truth. The
others arose, each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been!

My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to arise. My gaze dropped to the
ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I did have love in my life,
and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness and death, and false
accusations that took from me my world as I knew it. I had to start over many
times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the
strength to pick up and begin again. I had spent many nights on my knees in prayer,
asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which
I endured painfully; each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would
not melt within my skin beneath the critical gaze of those who unfairly judged me.
And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it
for what it had been.

I arose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled
gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with eyes wide.
Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating
an image….the face of Christ.

Our Lord then stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, "Every
time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My
struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me
shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!
FATHERS DAY, 2010
Daddy was an amazing person and I want everyone to realize
that if you haven't already.  He had his issues, but so does
everyone else.  He was an amazing dad, and I still look back to
the days where he would bounce me on his knee, back when
he called me "Boop."  Whether I was near or far, every
Christmas eve he would read "Twas The Night Before
Christmas".  He would also say prayers for me every night, and
not just everyone in general, but he would specify people, even
if they were only in our lives a short time.  Fishing was his all
time favorite passion and I made sure to throw at least 20 bags
of good luck in the boat before we left the house.  He always
put others before himself and appreciated everything that was
done for him, whether it be a big or little favor.  If he had a
problem with someone, he was always quick to forgive and
forget which is one of the things I admired about him.  His
illness got the best of him but he had the Fighting Irish in him
and fought his hardest and always with a smile on his face.  
Even in his last days, I will never forget his reassuring wink that
he would be OK.  He was always sugar coating everything and
never wanted anyone to worry or get upset.  Miracles happen
and my father passing was my daddy's miracle.  It might be
hard on all of us to know he's no longer here, but his miracle is
that he does not have to battle through pain and suffering
anymore.  He's with PopPop now and that's where most of his
pain started because of losing his hero in life.  So don't cry
because he's gone, look back on all the great times we all had
with him, because in some way he touched each and every
one of our lives.  Either with his witty sense of humor, his
insight from past experiences, being a shoulder to cry on or
just someone to talk to.  Even to this day he's in my life all the
time letting me know everything will be ok.  We have been
trying to grow Morning Glorys (spiritual flower meaning
resurrection) for a while now and waiting weeks for flowers to
bloom.  The morning my daddy passed, one single flower
bloomed and then fell off to the ground.  So those of you who
are crying don't need to shed any tears because he would not
want anyone to get upset and is in a better place now.  So
smile and know you have an amazing angel watching over you.
 I am so happy you all could come here today in honor of your
friendship and love for my daddy and his love for all of you.  If
you ever need someone to talk to he's always listening and will
definitely find a way to prove he is there.  Don't mourn his
death, celebrate every moment you shared with him.  Go out
and fish and catch the one he would have envied you for, get
that 10 point buck that always got away, go for a walk in the
woods and enjoy the fresh air.  Enjoy everyday and let
everyone know how proud you are to have known such a
kind, generous, grateful and loving man.  I love you daddy, like
I have always told you, I will never forget you, and hope you
will wait for me like you promised.    
Love, Laura and Debbie
Laura's own words from her heart speech given at her
Dad's Memorial Service at Lady of Fatima which was the
Church he belonged to in Piscataway, NJ
God saw you getting tired and a cure was not meant to be,
So He put His arms around you and whispered "Come Home to Me".
Single Bloom on
the morning of my
daddy's passing.