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04 November 2018

Release Week -- Regina May Fujitani

Darren and Regina Fujitani at his birthday dinner

Release week (for Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides) took on new meeting this week as my friend and Virtual Assistant, Regina Fujitani, became gravely ill. She took flight to heaven on release day, November 1st, at 2:00 pm Eastern time. Her faithful husband of ten years, Darren, was at her side. That morning near the end of a private Facebook group party our friend, Anne Payne, sent me a message from the hospital that Regina looked to be near the end. Earlier that day, Darren had sent word that a new antibiotic was being attempted and we were hopeful it would help. I'd planned to celebrate that morning, which Regina would have encouraged, and then be with her in the afternoon. And I did get to be there in the afternoon, but not as I'd planned for this ended up being her last hours. I contacted our church and Pastor Larry Lamb arrived. Later, Senior Pastor Larry Jones joined us. So Regina had two pastors in her room when she crossed over to glory! And PTL I could be there with Anne Payne and Darren.

November 1st also ended up being Regina and my five year anniversary on Facebook. And it was Author's Day, too. Regina had been my Virtual Assistant and Beta reader for several years. She helped get my newsletters out to my readers. Then a year and a half ago she moved to Virginia and we got to be friends in person -- such a blessing.

Regina was an avid Christian Fiction reader and reviewer. Even when multiple health issues this past year, on top of her Muscular Dystrophy, were taking a toll, Regina would try to keep reading and posting reviews. She was a promotion team member for many Christian fiction authors including myself and my friends Debbie Lynne Costello and Susanne Dietze and others. She was a friend to many people online in the Christian fiction community and will be sadly missed.
Darren and Regina Fujitani

In person, Regina was just as sweet as she comes across online. She was an incredibly nonjudgmental person who accepted others as they are. She extended grace and mercy easily. Regina had a beautiful laugh that I will miss so much. She had a lot of insight, particularly about people and situations and she was a good listener as well as willing to confide in others.

The pictures above are from a recent (only weeks ago) dinner to celebrate Darren's birthday. This was something Regina really wanted to do for her hubs. And Jeff, and Clark, and I were happy to celebrate with them at one of all of our favorite restaurants, Plaza Azteca.

On two of our last long talks, Regina and I discussed a book I was writing in which one of the characters "may" die from a serious disease. We talked openly and honestly about our thoughts of heaven, about freedom from pain, about knowing where we were going and our trust in the Lord. Although Regina was having some setbacks, I surely didn't imagine that in a few short weeks she'd be face-to-face with Jesus. I'm going to miss my friend. But I do know where she's at. And her release to the streets of gold where she is dancing and singing and praising God has to be a glorious homecoming.

19 comments:

  1. Bless you, Carrie. ❤ This is a wonderful memorial post. I've been trying to remember exactly when I met Regina on Facebook but can't, she was a great party friend and when I became a PAL she was so sweet and welcoming. She will be greatly missed.

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  2. What a beautiful post! Thinking of you all.

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  3. I’m so sorry for your loss, dear Carrie. Sounds like she was a wonderful person and friend. Praying for you. Love and hugs.

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  4. <3 Beautiful and appointed times for all sharing Regina's homecoming! Kathleen


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  5. A beautiful tribute to Regina. I will always remember her smile and kindness. We never met in person, but I felt like she was a close friend. She made people feel special. I am praying for Regina's family and friends.

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  6. Really sweet, Carrie! We had shared a lot of stories and laughs and a few tears. She will be missed greatly. There are many people praying for Darren and their family.

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  7. This is a beautiful post, Carrie. What a special friend. Prayers for Darren and family! <3

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  8. This is such a beautiful memorial to a precious lady. I never met Regina in person ,but knew her through common FB groups and as followers of various authors. She will be greatly missed by CF readers and authors.

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  9. What a beautiful tribute to Regina. She was such a good friend to many. She touched so many lives. She will be greatly missed. She is dancing and singing in heaven above.

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  10. Oh this post made cry. I only knew Regina online - in all our author groups together and conversing at parties, but she was an amazing and kind person to know that way! She has touched so many people's lives! I'm so sorry for your loss. She will be missed terribly. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

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  11. A lovely tribute to a lady well loved! Holding up Darren and the family in prayer as well as those of you who knew Regina personally. Ther are many online friends that I would love to meet someday, and Regina certainly fell in that category. Now I will have to wait until I get to heaven.

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  12. This is a beautiful post about Regina. I am sad that I never got to meet her in person. She seems like she was a beautiful person, inside and out. I am still praying for her family and friends.

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  13. A beautiful tribute to Regina, had me in tears. She was a beautiful, sweet and dear friend. Always smiling and the joy of the Lord shined in all she did. I am sure she has a huge smile on her face now as she walks along side Jesus on those streets of gold. I will miss her greatly. Praying for her family.
    Blessings, Tina

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  14. Beautiful post and tribute about a wonderful lady with such a beautiful soul and heart. She will be missed,but oh how happy she must be as she is walking with Our Lird!

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  15. Beautiful tribute to Regina, Carrie. Even though we'd never met in person, it shocked and saddened me to learn of Regina's passing. As others have said she's out of pain and now dancing in glory and for that I rejoice. But she will be missed. She was a blessing to so many.

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  16. Dear Carrie, this is a beautiful tribute to a very special person. I was blessed to have met her from our mutual acquaintance with you! I am so glad that she had the blessing of you and Anne to be with her and Darren as she passed into glory. Praying for Darren and her sweet Amber and Joseph.

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  17. What a wonderful tribute, Carrie. It's still so hard to believe. Some people truly exude their love of Christ. Regina was one of those people. May God comfort Darren and give him peace.

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  18. A beautiful tribute Carrie. Regina sounds like she was a wonderful person and blessed all who knew her. Will continue prayers for God's comfort for all of her frends and family.

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  19. Lovely tribute, Carrie! May the Lord continue to wrap His arms around Darren and the family.

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