People ask me who my favorite speakers are. I think I’m the most impressed with everyday people who rise up for whatever is calling to them. My daughter Angie comes to mind. About two years ago to the day my Mother passed away. My daughter asked to say a few words at her funeral. She’s never really spoken in front of people before this. She wrote out what was in her heart and with all the love in her being she spoke. My heart exploded as I listened to her carefully chosen words.

Before I lead us in prayer, I would like to say share a few thoughts.

Today you will hear the stories of my Grandmother’s life. Some of her journeys as a girl, then a young woman, a wife, a mother, and finally as a grandmother; but for a few minutes, I would like to share with you the moment when my Grandmother passed away.

During the time we waited for her strong willed body to finally lay it’s self to rest, there was always a family member there… holding and kissing her hands, running their fingers through her hair, and fussing over if she was comfy enough. The beautiful part is that all of her children were there telling childhood stories, laughing, weeping, and supporting each other through their time of need.

I read a saying once that said, “friends are God’s apology for family.” This may be true at times but it sure wasn’t the case here. I can say one thing for this family… when tragedy strikes, we all unite for comfort and a loving shoulder to cry on. I sure hope that when I pass, my boys show me the honor that Grandma’s children have given her.

Through all of this there is one special person I really want to capture… my Uncle Stanley.

Stanley never left his Mother’s side. We even had a hard time convincing him that it was alright to please go and brush his teeth! He stood next to her side frequently letting her know that she was loved, a wonderful Mother, and that we were all there with her. When her moment came, he was the only one with her and it warms my heart to the core to know that he wasn’t robbed of that very special moment. My Aunt Jane said it so true “we know Mom was waiting for her and Stanley to be alone, because that’s the way she would have wanted it.”

Grandma, as your grandchild I will miss your sugar coated pancakes and snuggles wrapped up in a towel after a bath when you would rock me singing, “I love you a bushel and a peck.” And now I can even say I will miss the “huge” hand made underwear you always sewed for us as children.

After everything is said and done, I sure hope there was a huge Madre Gras parade waiting for your grand arrival into heaven… “You bet your dirty neck I do.”