Elna Nugent

Comment

Comment by Paul Nugent on January 14, 2009 at 10:39am

I remember from the time I was very young your tucking me into bed, talking to me, and rubbing my back for many minutes. That instilled in me a profound sense of being loved, trust, and a sense that everything in the world would be OK. You made me feel special from the time I can first remember. I shudder when I realize that many children do not enjoy such an introduction to this world.

As I grew your open-minded curiosity and spirit was a huge influence. I remember so many times when my friends would close their minds to big questions or to metaphysical possibilities and instead I would feel comfortable contemplating them and discussing them. I may not have agreed at times with the directions your curiosity would go, but your attitude was what was key.

Based on this my personal mantra seems to have become, "well, we don't know for sure that it is, and we don't know for sure that it is not, so be skepticle and open-minded at the same time." That has been an incredibly powerful force in my life and I owe that to you (as well as to dad).

Also, over the last few years you have clearly become a person that I admire and respect the most based upon your sacrifice and attitude toward dad when he was sick. Very inspiring to say the least. In an era of quick fixes and instant gratification, you showed that your love for dad transcended all things.

Thanks for being you and for being such a great influence in my life. Love, Paul