Little memories in honor of my Pastor G.E.P. may he rest in peace

One of the earliest memories I have of him is when we first went back to my church after we left for a while. He hugged us very tight even if I didn't know him and he scared me bc he was a big stranger and he just picked me up and squeezed me like he'd known me my whole life.

I also remember when he took a group of us kids to Disney World. The whole drive he was laughing and singing with us. Then at the hotel we dropped off all out things and went out to play in the pool. His laughter filled the area and we knew we were safe with him.

The next day we woke up super early to get breakfast and to head into the actual park. It was really really fun and he bought me a stuffed mickey mouse when I cried after Space Mountain.

He bought my brother an me a turkey leg to share bc our parents didn't send much money bc we didn't have much at the time. And every trip we took, my parents paid for one of us and he paid for the other so we would both get to go.

The places I can remember that he took us are: Disney World, Miami Metro Zoo, Busch Gardens like 3 times. Every trip was made special by so many little things that he did to make us happy.

When I was little, he and his wife hosted a sleepover for us kids and it was so much fun. We stayed up watching Madagascar and eating popcorn. The next day we woke up and he made us pray before breakfast which was lucky charms. He read the Bible to us while we ate.

After that, we went to play in his pool. We played there all day and he sat under an umbrella studying the Bible and writing sermons while watching us. Then for lunch they served us hot dogs. We played some more, and then went in to shower.

He playfully rushed us bc it was getting late and "the pastor can't be late to church" so we all got ready with our bags and climbed into the church van and we went to church where we reunited with our families.

I also remember how he was there for me when my parents had a temporary separation. There was domestic abuse involved and my mom spent a few night in jail, unjustified though it may have been. When my parents swapped so my mom stayed with us and my dad went to live somewhere

else, he came to my house and stood with my brothers and me until my mom was able to come into the house. We were kids and we were scared having the police in the house alone so I'm eternally grateful that he was there with us until we felt safe when my mom came in.

When my dad was hospitalized after a near death accident at work, he came to visit us always bringing groceries and stuff to cheer us up. When the bank took our car away, he gave us one of his cars as a gift. The busted old Camry that I drive now was his gift to us. And I will

always cherish that lil car. He played for the six months of insurance since my mom wasn't working and he continued to show undying support and love for me and my family.

When I turned 15 we weren't able to celebrate my quinceañera bc my dad was in the hospital for health issues. So he organized the church council and they gave me a quinceañera. I was blessed and honored to be able to share a dance with him and he twirled me around in those

ridiculous heels. We laughed a lot and he started to sing the song we were dancing to, saying that it brought back many fond memories from when he was in his younger years.

He chose me to be the lead singer of a youth band a few years ago and while I was scared, I never said no to him. After about a year, our leader stepped down and he left me in charge. Its been a hard few years leading a band before I was ready and I constantly made mistakes

but he was always there to give me advice and to comfort me when I felt lost. He guided me and had my back with any decisions I made. He taught me how to be a leader, and now I have to keep doing that without him. But his advice rings clear as day in my mind and I will do my best

He was very proud of my band. We were HIS special little project. We answered only to him. He gave us so much support despite the fact that nobody knew ANYTHING at first. People laughed, criticized, looked down on, and mocked us. But his eyes always shone with pride and joy.

Whenever we got him a gift, we would surround him in a group hug and his laughter would voice off every nearby surface. His embrace would last for a long time and his smile would last for days. I once gave him a small frame that I don't remember exactly what it said

but it was saying something about how you are never alone because I, your God, am with you always. And he told me a few days later that that tiny little frame that I bought bc I didn't have much to give, that tiny frame that I saw hanging in his bedroom today

(from a distance bc we were in the foyer) that tiny lil frame made him cry bc he had been going through a really dark time in his personal life and there were many problems within the congregation. It was a small comfort and hope in a time of darkness he said to me.

I also remember a lot of other little things that he did and said. But I think I'm ready to end this thread by saying that I love him. Always have, always will. I love him and I will cherish every memory I was able to make with him. I know I'm not done crying yet, but for now

I'm at peace with his passing, knowing he was at peace when it happened. I might add to this when I'm feeling sad and want to write down more. To anyone who stuck with me for this long, thank you and I'm sorry for being so sad lately. I'm ready to find happiness again.

And I hope I make him proud