Tribute to Granny

Allene "Granny" Beckwith was so much to many a wife, a mother, a grandmother and friend. To me she was a friend and grandmother. She inspired me to do great things in life and she still continues to do so even in her passing. We were like to two pea's in a pod. We shopped together, loved watching Lifetime movies every Sunday, and we love to just talk for hours about life. Many nights she would come home from a hard day's work take a seat on the couch and we would talk about our day. It would allow both of us to relax and get a few laughs in before retiring to bed. Being that we were from different generations we had different views on life and her view always allowed me to see things in a new light, as did my view allow her to understand this new age. She left a lasting impression on anyone that she came in contact with. Her laugh was contagious, her smile would brighten your day, her advice would always make things seem a lot easier to pull through, and her concern for your well being always let you know that you were loved. One thing she taught was to never dwell on the past but to learn from it and so now that she has gone I am surviving on memories. The only thing that keeps me sane and continuing to survive is knowing that she would not approve of my not living after her death. She would say, "I died not you". Knowing this I get up every morning looking forward to the days ahead. My grandmother was the only woman I ever knew that never graduated from high school but helped to establish a family owned funeral home business. Her accomplishments include raising five children, helped keep a family together during a time when family's importance is diminishing in today's society and made sure that all of her family knew that a family that prays together stays together. She will be greatly missed.

A Mother's Love
by javette

From conception to birth
You've been there for me;
Mother and daughter
We will always be.
I've cherished your love
Since the day I was born;
An attachment as familiar
As gloves well worn.
As a baby you nursed me,
gave me love;
Shared the warmth of your heart,
As God smiled from above.
For He knew that in you
A treasure He'd found
A creator of life
A Mother to a Child
Mother Africa, too
would beam with pride
The teachings you fostered
Span near and worldwide
For every step that I've made
You've been right by my side
In prayer and in spirit
You are a constant guide
Your ear is always willing
You provide my peace of mind
Mother you are my Light
You're the apple of my eye
Our bond, is of love, comfort, friendship too
God gave me the gift of being born to you
Our bond, it's Homemade,
the ingredients?
Just the best
A bond beyond the depths of time
We would stand for nothing less
In love we GROW!
� 1997 all rights reserved

   If Tomorrow Starts Without Me

If tomorrow starts without me,
And I'm not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn't cry
The way you did today,
While thinking of the many things
We didn't get to say.

I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too.
But if tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand
That an angel came and called my name,
And took me by the hand.
He said my place was ready,
In heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.

But as I turned to walk away,
A tear fell from my eye
For all my life, I'd always thought,
I didn't want to die.
I had so much to live for,
So much left yet to do.
It seemed almost impossible,
That I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays,
The good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared,
And all the fun we had.

If I could relive yesterday,
Just even for a while,
I'd say good-bye and kiss you
And maybe see you smile.
But then I fully realized,
That this could never be,
For emptiness and memories,
Would take the place of me.

And when I thought of worldly things,
I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did,
My heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through heaven's gates,
I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me,
From His great golden throne,
He said, "This is eternity,
And all I've promised you."
Today your life on earth is past,
But here life starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last,
And since each day's the same way
There's no longing for the past.
You have been so faithful,
So trusting and so true.
Though there were times
You did some things
You knew you shouldn't do.
But you have been forgiven
And now at last you're free.
So won't you come and take my hand
And share my life with me?

So if tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart.
For every time you think of me,
            I'm right here, in your heart .