Thursday, October 1, 2020
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My Dear Mr. Finn,
I remember your jovial, boisterous New York loudness as you energetically buzzed around the table of....how many kids was it? It was my best friend Maryanne, then Re-Re, Kathleen, Patrick, and Mike....and then add my brother Chris, my brother Mike, and me. Was that all? I am not sure! But I remember all of us kids being there at the breakfast table with our pancakes and scrambled eggs. Mr. Finn would go one by one, child by child with his cool restaurant style ketchup dispenser (squeeze bottle with pointy tip) asking us "Superman or Spiderman?" "Wonder Woman or Bat Girl?" And for whatever superhero we named, he would emboss a giant letter written in ketchup. It was the capital letter that began the name of whatever hero we had mentioned. I thought that was so cool! Breakfast at the Finns, who lived just a short few blocks away, was quite the event! It was only one of the many adventures I was blessed to live with the Finns as a child growing up in Yardley.
As a kid, I thought the Finns were fun. Together we played kick the can, swam in the pool, went trick or treating, went to our first dances, and had some pretty good fights (haha). As an adult, I am deeply grateful that I had the privilege of witnessing a man such as Mr. Finn give his all to his family. As a kid I only knew that he worked long hours in New York. As an adult, I recognize this decision to give everything. So many hours commuting and working to support his family! As a kid, I heard him be loud and funny. As an adult, I know that the presence of a father is formative and priceless and eternal in its impact. As a kid, I hung out with, played with, laughed with, and got into trouble with the Finns. As an adult, I realize that God shone brightly on us when, in His providence, we moved to Yardley and became part of the fabric of families living near Chestnut Lane.
While Mr. Finn could be very loud, his silence spoke volumes. By silence I refer to his quiet, somber presence at the funeral mass for Mrs. Rosemarie Finn at St. Ignatius Church. I was deeply moved to witness Mr. Finn's fidelity to his wedding vows. He was faithful in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, until death. This was a powerful witness to love. This witness was louder than any words.
Thank you so much Mr. Finn for saying yes to your marriage, yes to children, and yes to all the countless sacrifices (large and small) you made to raise an amazing family. Thank you for being part of my life. I treasure all these things in my heart.
I deeply regret I was unable to attend your funeral and wake. I am not in Yardley, Pennsylvania, but my prayers are with you and everyone.
I will always be grateful to God for you and your family.
Love,
Quinn
jqlindes@yahoo.com
