Hi. My name is Richard Guillot. I am 53 years old. I was born in New Orleans Louisiana on February 18th, 1955 to two wonderful people Siegfried and Rae Ann who are still alive to this day. I have celebrated a very rich, rewarding life because of all the wonderful people and families I have had the pleasure of knowing during the time that, so far, has been granted me on earth. All have been different, but one thing is for certain, some are perfectly exceptional.
It has been my experience that God does in fact work in wondrous ways, especially when we are perhaps in low periods of our lives. Every now and then, he leads us off our volcanic barefooted tread way to a path of comfort we find by some very special families and individuals that remind us by their example, to renew our faith. One such family that has been brought to that task in my life is my dear friends, the Lipat family. They are from the Philippines and are very special to me because of the love they share and demonstrate not only for themselves, but also for everyone. So much in fact, it makes me want to leave the U.S. and move there. One very special family members name is Joshua Ruel. I say is, because he is still with me by the BIG kind innocent spirit he has left behind for me. I only “physically” lost my friend Josh, July the 15th, 2008, but his spirit remains and is rich within me to this day. Josh is special to me, as I knew he would be from the first moment I met him. Kindness radiated from my young friend like sunshine. He even liked my dog, which is saying a lot because not too many people like my dog!
I like to call him Joshua because I like his name, but everyone else refers to him as JR. I do not know the total number of people Josh met and remembered during the short nine years of him inhabiting this earth, but I am very glad to have known him and will always remember him as my young friend. Why his friendship was taken away from me so suddenly will remain a mystery until I rejoin him one day and I can ask. Whatever the reason was, his big kind spirit has been left behind for all who knew him. Sometimes I think that Josh had to leave because God knew that he was too kind to be in this cruel world we all inhabit. Some things are just too beautiful for this world. He is definitely in a better place now, and I know that when it is my time to go that my young friend will be there on the other side to greet me so maybe he and I will be able to sit down and laugh for a while together. Only the good expire young. If only I were so blessed to celebrate the same reward. If only I were so good to have been spared from, and, never seen some of the things I have laid witness to in this world. All of our lives, we strive to graduate to higher levels, always reaching for the next degree of achievement and notoriety. Josh went for it all at once. He skipped all the middlemen and went straight for the top. I may imagine that he may even be saying, “Well, it was a nice place to visit, but I am glad that I don’t have to live there for the next 70 years!” I will see him again one day, he will know me when I do and I am sure we will pick up where we left off.
To my heavenly friend Josh and his beautiful earthly family.
With Respect, Love and Admiration,
Rich Guillot
We Miss You, JR!
To view the videos - it will be helpful to scroll down and hit PAUSE to the music located at the bottom of the page!
Memorial Service Photos
Blessed Hope
Here is the message written by JR's dad. He read at the Memorial service and some didn't get to hear it:
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; reads “Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in ALL circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”
“This day is the most painful and difficult day in our lives because of the death of our son JR, our only son. I cannot understand and cannot comprehend why. I have so many questions that no one knows the answer, only God knows. But who am I to question God and His will. Who am I? He giveth life, and he taketh. I have no control of this tragic and unexpected event.
I felt the pain of our God, the Father when His only Son died on the cross for our sins. Death is the result of sin. When we were born we inherited this sin from our ancestors (Adam and Eve). The Father can send angels to save His dying Son, but because this is His will, His Son died for our sin. Even though it’s hard for Him, He did not intervene to save His son from dying.
In similar passion, we prayed to God, the Father to intervene and asked to save my son JR, my only son from dying. He can send angels and make a miracle to save my son, but instead, he took our son’s last breath and died. I believe that this is God’s will. I cannot do anything; it’s very very hard to accept the fact that JR my son has gone to sleep. The separation is so hard to bear, but I still praise and thank God for loaning and giving JR to us. It’s short 9 ½ years, but those years were the happiest moments of our life. JR is the apple of our eyes, the candle light that shine in our life and now he is gone. But, we have this hope, Our Blessed Hope that when Jesus, our Savior return in second coming, the angels who supposed to save my some JR from dying, now; those angels will return our son to us completely whole, without sickness, pain and suffering, no more tears and will be with us forever and ever.
Let me tell you something about my son JR. He always has a smile on his face. He never says anything bad. He obeys and respects me. He is my best friend and loves to be with me. He wants to be a millionaire so he can help the needy. He wants to be a pastor and preach Jesus around the world. He wants to be an author and write books. He loves to learn and asks so many questions. He always offers to help. He loves reading his Bible.
We always do things together and we have this father and son bond that you cannot believe. We prayed every night together. We prayed to God that his asthma and skin eczema will be healed and be completely gone, to have sweet dream and to protect him with Holy angels and wake up in the morning so that we can praise God. He loves Jesus. I cannot remember any night that he did not kiss me before he goes to bed. Monday night July 14 was the last one; he passed away Tuesday July 15, 2008. Our home will never be the same without him.
My son loves sports like bowling, basketball, putt-putt (mini-golf); swimming. He can do a split (he’s very flexible). He likes movies such Avatar, Spongebob Squarepants; Transformers and Scooby-Doo.
My son JR taught us a lesson, not only us his parents but also everyone that he met. The lesson is: To show Love and Respect to both young and old. He showed love and respect to anybody he encountered. He was so open to them. He touched so many lives and hugs anybody with compassion and authentic love.
Now my advice to you all parents is NEVER stop saying “ I Love You” to your children. I always reminded JR that I love him. I always told him: JR, I love you and you are my best friend. He knows that even until the last moment of his life. He passed out on my arms and keep telling him the word I Love You every second. I missed him so much. JR, my son, my only son. Until we meet again. I am praying that it will be really really soon".
Ruel Lipat
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; reads “Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in ALL circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”
“This day is the most painful and difficult day in our lives because of the death of our son JR, our only son. I cannot understand and cannot comprehend why. I have so many questions that no one knows the answer, only God knows. But who am I to question God and His will. Who am I? He giveth life, and he taketh. I have no control of this tragic and unexpected event.
I felt the pain of our God, the Father when His only Son died on the cross for our sins. Death is the result of sin. When we were born we inherited this sin from our ancestors (Adam and Eve). The Father can send angels to save His dying Son, but because this is His will, His Son died for our sin. Even though it’s hard for Him, He did not intervene to save His son from dying.
In similar passion, we prayed to God, the Father to intervene and asked to save my son JR, my only son from dying. He can send angels and make a miracle to save my son, but instead, he took our son’s last breath and died. I believe that this is God’s will. I cannot do anything; it’s very very hard to accept the fact that JR my son has gone to sleep. The separation is so hard to bear, but I still praise and thank God for loaning and giving JR to us. It’s short 9 ½ years, but those years were the happiest moments of our life. JR is the apple of our eyes, the candle light that shine in our life and now he is gone. But, we have this hope, Our Blessed Hope that when Jesus, our Savior return in second coming, the angels who supposed to save my some JR from dying, now; those angels will return our son to us completely whole, without sickness, pain and suffering, no more tears and will be with us forever and ever.
Let me tell you something about my son JR. He always has a smile on his face. He never says anything bad. He obeys and respects me. He is my best friend and loves to be with me. He wants to be a millionaire so he can help the needy. He wants to be a pastor and preach Jesus around the world. He wants to be an author and write books. He loves to learn and asks so many questions. He always offers to help. He loves reading his Bible.
We always do things together and we have this father and son bond that you cannot believe. We prayed every night together. We prayed to God that his asthma and skin eczema will be healed and be completely gone, to have sweet dream and to protect him with Holy angels and wake up in the morning so that we can praise God. He loves Jesus. I cannot remember any night that he did not kiss me before he goes to bed. Monday night July 14 was the last one; he passed away Tuesday July 15, 2008. Our home will never be the same without him.
My son loves sports like bowling, basketball, putt-putt (mini-golf); swimming. He can do a split (he’s very flexible). He likes movies such Avatar, Spongebob Squarepants; Transformers and Scooby-Doo.
My son JR taught us a lesson, not only us his parents but also everyone that he met. The lesson is: To show Love and Respect to both young and old. He showed love and respect to anybody he encountered. He was so open to them. He touched so many lives and hugs anybody with compassion and authentic love.
Now my advice to you all parents is NEVER stop saying “ I Love You” to your children. I always reminded JR that I love him. I always told him: JR, I love you and you are my best friend. He knows that even until the last moment of his life. He passed out on my arms and keep telling him the word I Love You every second. I missed him so much. JR, my son, my only son. Until we meet again. I am praying that it will be really really soon".
Ruel Lipat
JR's Life Slide Show
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Friday, September 5, 2008
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