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As Jon Evans prepares for his final days on Earth, knowing that he won't see another Christmas, friends, family and co-workers gathered on the lawn of his East Center Street home Wednesday evening to sing Christmas carols.
Nearly two dozen of the more than 60 people who rallied around Evans walked the few blocks from Warsaw Fire Department Station No. 2 to Evans' house. Evans has been a firefighter in the city for more than 20 years.
"This is so cool," said Evans' sister, Patsy Torres, as she filmed the carolers approaching her brother's home.
In addition to fellow firefighters, who arrived on fire trucks, Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins walked with the many supporters, who cried during the hour-long Christmas celebration.
Those gathered also joined in an impromtu singing of "Happy Birthday" - Evans won't be here to celebrate his 45th on Dec. 17.
There was picture-taking and video-making. There was laughter. And there were tears - a lot of tears.
Although many at the Evans house cried - including men, women and children - Evans didn't shed a tear. An inoperable brain tumor is quickly taking him away (he was diagnosed April 16), but he is aware of what is going on around him and he has taken the time he has left to prepare his family for his departure. He knows and he's ready. He's sure that God has a plan.
"I've had to take a crash course in life," said Evans' wife, Trish, who said she wasn't aware of how to handle the finances and other household matters before Evans' illness. "I just had to worry about the kids and myself ... make sure everybody got to school, there was food on the table and clean clothes. I didn't know how protected I was."
A recent benefit brought in more than $11,000 to help the family.
Fellow firefighters are impressed by Evans' good spirits and never-ending smile.
Many of the firefighters got on their knees in front of the chair Evans was carried to on his front lawn, where he greeted the carolers. He needed help from his comrades to remain upright in that chair. All who knelt came away wiping the tears from their eyes. Evans offered them words of strength and encouragement. Even those who needed to be there but seemed unable to approach Evans and say good-bye couldn't help but cry along with everyone else.
"We always knew it would be a matter of 'when' and not 'if,'" Warsaw Fire Department Chief Matt Warren said recently.
The pall bearers have been chosen. The bagpipers have been alerted that their services will soon be needed. Evans cleaned out his fire department locker Monday.
Evans looked tired Wednesday. But he also looked as though he has accepted his fate. He is ready.
