We had your service on Saturday. It was clear and cold, everyone shivering in bright early December sunlight. But I was not cold, I was warmed by the memory of your love, the thought of your hugs on days when life was too much for me. Your calls to say hello and just to say, "I love you." These things kept me warm.
Jimmy performed your service, as you asked, and it was lovely. He shared that you had contacted him 15 years ago to go to church with him. It made me sad to think that you might not have wanted me to take you to church the last couple of years because I don't go. I would have been happy to attend for you.
I gave your eulogy. I hope I was able to convey to everyone all of the wonderful things about you. I know you could be contrary at times, but you were filled with such love for other people and you had more compassion that anyone I know. I only hope that when I die there is someone who will share my stories the way I tried to share your story.
I miss you always,
Sherri
For Mom:
A number of years ago, after a minor heart surgery, Mom’s surgeon came out to talk my sister and me. He told us that they had done what they could, but that Mom’s condition had progressed to a state where there was nothing else they could do for her. And we should prepare ourselves to say goodbye very soon. Like she had done so many times before, Mom refused to accept that someone else was going to determine her fate and she proved them wrong. We had six more years with her. But that was Mom, she was a scrapper and while we all eventually lose this battle, she went down fighting and at a time that she determined, after she met her newest great-granddaughter.
During the last couple of years as her condition worsened I spoke with a number of friends and co-workers who had parents with similar conditions. They shared the lessons that they each learned along the way and reminded me that no matter how much time you have, how many bonus rounds you may get, it is never enough. They were right. Even though we had what that surgeon would consider extra time, it is not enough. So today we come to say goodbye.
But Mom wouldn’t want me to say goodbye with tears. She would want me to remember the good times, dancing around the living while she shared stories about teaching dance instructors; singing along with the Everly Brothers, Freddie Fender and Patsy Cline. Sharing the stories of the dances at the Division Street Corral and the Grange. And how great Grandpa’s band was, and how much we would have loved to hear the play. How sorry she was that we couldn’t meet him and that he didn’t meet us.
Mom did a lot of great things during her life. She was a wonderful and celebrated volunteer during our grade school years. She opened her heart and her home to people in need, as evidenced by the many extra kids at the dinner table growing up and the number of friends and family that lived with us for a time when the challenges in their lives were too much to manage. Professionally, she was a very accomplished salesman, so much so that I have always said that Mom could sell snow in the frozen North. But the accomplishment of which she was the most proud was her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We never had a better cheerleader. If you met her on the street, in moments she would find a way to share something about one of us. How smart or successful, how well we cook, how kind we are, in general, how wonderful.
So I will try to share with you the same lessons that she shared with me. Be glad and joyful of the time you have you have with your family and friends. Enjoy each day and be kind and supportive of each other.
Mom’s body may leave behind her four daughters, three granddaughters and six great-grandchildren, but her spirit will continue to live in us. When we stop to help a stranger, do a favor for a friend or call a sister to ask how she is doing, it will be Mom’s spirit reminding us to reach out and help; to stay in touch and never stop loving each other. She would ask me to remind each of you to tell each other every day, how much you love them and how your life is great because your family and friends. As for me, I will ways remember the many ways in which she made my life great.
During the last couple of years as her condition worsened I spoke with a number of friends and co-workers who had parents with similar conditions. They shared the lessons that they each learned along the way and reminded me that no matter how much time you have, how many bonus rounds you may get, it is never enough. They were right. Even though we had what that surgeon would consider extra time, it is not enough. So today we come to say goodbye.
But Mom wouldn’t want me to say goodbye with tears. She would want me to remember the good times, dancing around the living while she shared stories about teaching dance instructors; singing along with the Everly Brothers, Freddie Fender and Patsy Cline. Sharing the stories of the dances at the Division Street Corral and the Grange. And how great Grandpa’s band was, and how much we would have loved to hear the play. How sorry she was that we couldn’t meet him and that he didn’t meet us.
Mom did a lot of great things during her life. She was a wonderful and celebrated volunteer during our grade school years. She opened her heart and her home to people in need, as evidenced by the many extra kids at the dinner table growing up and the number of friends and family that lived with us for a time when the challenges in their lives were too much to manage. Professionally, she was a very accomplished salesman, so much so that I have always said that Mom could sell snow in the frozen North. But the accomplishment of which she was the most proud was her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We never had a better cheerleader. If you met her on the street, in moments she would find a way to share something about one of us. How smart or successful, how well we cook, how kind we are, in general, how wonderful.
So I will try to share with you the same lessons that she shared with me. Be glad and joyful of the time you have you have with your family and friends. Enjoy each day and be kind and supportive of each other.
Mom’s body may leave behind her four daughters, three granddaughters and six great-grandchildren, but her spirit will continue to live in us. When we stop to help a stranger, do a favor for a friend or call a sister to ask how she is doing, it will be Mom’s spirit reminding us to reach out and help; to stay in touch and never stop loving each other. She would ask me to remind each of you to tell each other every day, how much you love them and how your life is great because your family and friends. As for me, I will ways remember the many ways in which she made my life great.
