Memorial Video

Hi Friends,

While I'm on the video kick, I thought I'd share the slide show that I made for Jane's memorial service.


Jane's Memorial Service Slide Show from Doug Easton on Vimeo.

Hope you enjoy!

Dancing Around the World

Some of you may have already seen this video that has made its way around the internet, but I watched it again this morning, and was touched and delighted by it. I hope you will enjoy it too.


Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.

Kissed by Two Angels

I went to an outdoor concert on Friday night at Jamocha Joe's in Adair, and saw several friends that I had not seen for awhile. As I began to walk through the group of people, one lady came up to me, gave me a hug and kissed me on the cheek. I was very surprised! And not a little warmed by it. I told her, "you're the first woman besides Jane to kiss me in 23 years." We both laughed.

Moments later, another woman friend walked up to the two of us, hugged me, and kissed me on the same cheek! Wow, I really scored! I told her, "you're the second woman besides Jane to kiss me in 23 years, and the second tonight."

I want to say right now that both of those hugs and kisses were done out of friendship, and genuine concern for me. I forget these days how powerful human touch really is.

There are many people in our community who have lost loved ones, and are impoverished in the touch department. So when you see them, if you're a touchy-feely kind of person, give them a hug; and if you're extra touchy-feely, a friendly kiss on the cheek won't hurt either.

American Idol Tour Concert

My sister Robin and brother in law Tim bought tickets for Amy and me to go with the to the "American Idol" tour show in Portland last Friday. It was a pretty good show, overall. The lighting was great, the band was fabulous, and the singers were even better than when they were on the show in competition.

Jane and I watched every week of this year's season, and she even saw the final show when David Cook was crowned the winner of American Idol. Jane was weak and tired, but she raised her hand, made a fist, and whispered in a weak voice, "YES!"

So I took my cell phone to the concert on Friday, and I have a photo of Jane as my screen saver. When David Cook performed, I turned on the phone and pointed her photo toward the stage and told Robin, "Look, Jane is watching David Cook from heaven." We both laughed.

After a few seconds, her picture faded to black (it's a screen saver that times out) so I pushed the button and it came back on. Then it faded again, so I pushed the button and it came back on. I was reminded of Tom Hanks in the movie "Castaway" when he would flick the penlight on and off, while looking at the photo of his fiancee.

So, here's a video of the cellphone version of "Castaway" starring Doug and Jane.

The New Job

Some of you may have heard, but many of you may not have, that I took a new job at the Corvallis Clinic Surgery Center, and started this past Monday.

It was truly God that orchestrated the events that lead up to me being offered the position. A friend who is a nurse (Lisa) called me in March and told me about the open position. I applied for the job and waited until late April to hear back and get an interview.

Several more weeks passed, and I thought they were not interested in me. One week before Jane passed away, I received a phone call from the supervisor, offering me the job; I told her that Jane was still hanging on, and I did not know how long it would be before I could accept and start. So we agreed that I would call her back in one week. Well, one week was the day after Jane died.

So I called her and accepted the position, and we agreed upon a start date of July 7th (this past Monday). The surgery center is brand-new, and very nice. The nurses, doctors, and other staff are also great. It's good to be back at work again, doing something that I truly love. I don't know for sure what the immediate future (next 2 years) holds for me, but I trust that God has a plan, so I am resting in that.

Luminaria Ceremony

Recently a friend of mine and his wife participated in a Luminaria ceremony, and purchased a memorial for Jane. I want to thank Eric and Lisa for their love and thoughtfulness.

Here is a photo of Jane's memorial Luminaria.

Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again

Those of you who attended Jane's memorial service in Corvallis, will remember the song that Amy requested be played. The song is from "Phantom of the Opera" and titled, "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again."

This morning, I indulged myself and listened to that song again. Aside from the fact that the woman who sings this song has an incredibly beautiful voice, even before Jane passed away, it would bring me to tears.


I played the tune again, and allowed my emotions to run free. Here are the lyrics to the song:

You were once my one companion . . .
you were all that mattered . . .
You were once a friend and father,
then my world was shattered . . .

Wishing you were somehow here again . . .
wishing you were somehow near . . .
Sometimes it seemed if I just dreamed,
somehow you would be here . . .

Wishing I could hear your voice again . . .
knowing that I never would . . .
Dreaming of you won't help me to do
all that you dreamed I could . . .

Passing bells and sculpted angels,
cold and monumental,
seem, for you the wrong companions -
you were warm and gentle . . .
Too many years fighting back tears . . .
Why can't the past just die . . .?

Wishing you were somehow here again . . .
knowing we must say goodbye . . .
Try to forgive, teach me to live . . .
give me the strength to try . . .

No more memories, no more silent tears . . .
No more gazing across the wasted years . . .
Help me say goodbye.
Help me say goodbye!

Thank you for letting me share this with you, my friends.