| This was the last picture taken of me and Mom together, the night of the Halloween party at the house in Crouse. It's one of my faves because as we went to pose for it she put her arm around me and said, "This is my Baby Girl!" Two weeks later she was gone and I've looked at this picture a thousand times trying to see anything that should have given us any indication that we only had a short time left with her but to no avail. All I have been able to see in her eyes is happiness and contentment. |
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| Strangely, it was that night that she told us exactly what she wanted us to do whenever she died and two weeks later we were making those arrangements, just as she asked. She said she didn't want sad, "cry in my beer" music played, but rather all of her favorite country music. She didn't want people sitting around crying, but instead she wanted a wake, where her friends and family gathered to celebrate her life. It snowed the day of her Memorial service. The chapel was beautiful - candle light danced on the Waterford, blue crystal egg vase we had chosen for Mama, flanked by her favorite flowers, peach roses. Her favorite pastor, Dick Whitener spoke and then sang several of Mom's favorite hymns. I delivered my Mama's Eulogy, speaking of her love for her family and friends, her giving spirit and love of life. I tried to offer comfort in that I knew my Mama sat at the feet of Jesus at that very moment because I was present when she prayed the sinner's prayer and asked Jesus into her heart. She no longer suffered from COPD, fighting to breathe. She was in Heaven. I stood there at the podium, searching the faces of all of her friends and family who loved her so much and tried to convey to them how much I shared their feeling of loss. As I watched the snow fall outside through two double glass doors at the front of the chapel, I wondered how ironic it was that she loved the snow so much and God had sent it on that day. It was a beautiful service. We had taken all of her special nic-nacs, keepsakes and photos of her family to decorate the receiving room at the funeral home, including cards, letters and gifts that were special to her. Candles danced everywhere displacing any darkness that dared make an appearance. We put her George Dickel shot glass collection out on display along with other items that reflected her unique personality. I remember sitting in that room filled with family and friends after the Memorial Service watching everyone walk around and fondly look at all of the items and photos that were so special to my Mom, remembering old times and telling stories about Mama, her 15 brothers and sisters and all the kids. I saw my cousin Jackie pick up and lovingly remember sending the birthday card she held to Mama some 11 years earlier. Mama had saved it all that time because Jackie was so special to her. There were lots of cards and keepsakes like that and many were reminded just how dear Mama had held them in her heart. All the while Mama's favorite music, including Alan Jackson, Vince Gill, Alabama and Patty Loveless played. It was just as she wanted. |
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