In celebration and gratitude for the life of a gracious, humble, lady...

Yesterday, in a gathering in the Chapel at Church Street United Methodist Church, we said good-bye to my Mother.  The Chapel was almost full, friends of mine, friends of my sisters, thoughtful work associates and most importantly, family and friends who had known my parents for so many years.

Before the service, we received friends,  people who wanted to tell us they cared and others who wanted to relay stories about how my mother had touched their lives.  So much emotion...   My mother's sister and brother were there, was well as nieces and nephews, and grandnephews.  The Chapel was filled with laughter and tears and it was a time I will always cherish.  The presence of each person who attended so touched my heart.

Reverends Andy Ferguson, Sarah Varnell and Cabel Trent officiated, each relaying their own experiences with my mother.  We sang hymns, read scripture and sang the Doxology.  The service was over too quickly and our friends drifted out of the church and back to their own lives.

Family came back to the house and gave us a few additional hours of laughter and stories before they too had to return to their lives in Roanoke, Staunton and Tazewell, VA and Richmond, KY.   I miss the family and I miss my mother so very much...

 My cousin Derek (Auntie Sue's son) and his son Nathan

 My Uncle Joe (Mother's brother), Cousin Eric and Cousin Vicky (both children of my late Aunt Itsa)

 Derek's beautiful wife, Staci and sons Levi and Roman

Vicky's husband, Steve watches as Uncle Joe and Vicky get the food ready to serve.  John says I was flitting around and couldn't seem to light long enough to pull things together.

Some of the incredible food: from Vicky, vegetable pizza, curried cheese ball with mango chutney and ginger snaps and chocolate chip wedding cookies.  From my sister Leslie's in-laws, baked ham, homemade loaves of yeast bread, potato salad, baked beans and The Cup cupcakes.

 Me and my Dad, the "bestest" dad in the entire world!!

In front: Cousin Eric, Staci, my sister Carol, in back: Cousin Derek and Auntie Sue's husband, my other Uncle Joe, and Daddy sitting (behind Carol)

 Cousin Vicky and Cousin Sheila (Mother's sister, my Aunt Martha's daughter)

 Cousin Vicky and Auntie Sue

 Carol, Uncle Joe, Eric, my other Uncle Joe and Daddy

And finally, Staci, Steve, my brother in law-Mike, Derek and my sister Leslie

Hymn Of Promise  (#707)

In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed an apple tree;

in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!

In the cold and snow of winter there's a spring that waits to be,

unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

There's a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;

there's a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.

From the past will come the future;

what it holds, a mystery, unrevealed until its season,

something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;

in our doubt there is believing; in our life eternity.

In our death, a resurrection; at the last a victory,

unrevealed until its season, something God along can see.

(Hymn from the service)