Greg,
Congratulations in reachingyour
40thBaha’ibirthday,anastonishing
achievementofperseveranceand
steadfastness Iamsure!
You have had a considerable impact on my
journey as a Baha’i - I’ll never forget when I
first moved to Albany in 2004 (it wasn’t the
first timewemet, I believewe firstmet when
you,Mal andDavidpassed throughGeraldton
on a star gazing trip in early 2004) and I spent
myfirst fewweeksstayingat theParkersonMt
Melville.
I remember your boundless enthusiasm
(which hasn’t changed), the introduction to a
newvocabulary (wajawaja), your crazydriving
in the van on the way tomy first devotional
to meet the community, watching the footy
together, assisting with digging around your
property (and learningthatIwasafairlyuseless
labourer)andmost importantlytheparent-like
love and support that you andMal provided
for theyouth thatpassed throughyourhouse.
I am cannot adequately describemy gratitude
for your presence in my life and I look back
fondly on those days as a turning point inmy
lifeand I amgladyouwerepartof it.
My only wish is that one day, I can perhaps
emulate the affect you have had on somany
lives,especiallythoseembarkingonservice.Or
at least, partlyemulate it :)
Lotsof love,
LeonMauger
Alongwitheveryoneelse, Iadmire
Greg’s tenacity, steadfastness tohis
Faithand family,hissenseofhumor
andhumilityanduncompromising
desire tocontribute tohumanity
whilstbattlinghiscancerprivately.
AsMalini’s art assistant I amoften around the
housedropping inandout, I get thechance to
glimpse at Greg during his quieter moments
and I was privileged to be bestowed by his
gentle tenderness.Whenever I arrivehenever
failstogreetmewith, “Allah’u’abhasweet lady/
angel/handmaiden of the Divine...How are
you?”
Hewouldlistengentlyandsharesomeanecdote
be it from his life or otherworldly planes eg
the StarWars/Star Trek/ other science fiction
realm.ThenasIwas leaving ifI’mnot inarush,
we would share a prayer or two and I would
leave the house with my spiritual batteries
charged. It is the sweet short gentlemoments
like these that have left a permanentmark in
myheart and Iwill treasureevermore.
LoveLuki
