Monday, December 12, 2011
I met Paul Essen while working at Chatauqua Nursing Center in Defuniak Springs, FL. We became instant friends- I would sing with a band that came in every Wednesday and one of the songs I would sing was "This is the Day the Lord Hath Made," Paul really enjoyed it. We would go into the chapel and pray, Paul helped in leading me to the Lord. He would wheel himself down to the therapy room wher I worked as an Occupational Therapist Assistant and refuse to work with anyone but me. Paul was disharged from the center and we continued our friendship. He took me out to one if his favorite places in Crestview, KFC, as a thankyou. he came to my home and baptized my father ( for the first time.) Mr. Essen was a wonderful man and had a way of making me feel very special, he was a great friend and inspiration in my life. I saw his obituary and sang to him one if his favorite songs, "This is the day the Lord hath made," he wanted me to sing it at his funeral. I thought this a rather unusual song to be sung but now understand that Paul is rejoicing and glad to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I feel honored and proud to have known such a wonderful and kind man of God.
