Tuesday, April 16, 2013
We are all here today to pay our respects to an astonishingly beautiful woman, whose time here with us was cut far too short.
My Aunt Monie was one of the most wonderful people that I will ever know. She was one of my favorite people.
She was full of life - courage- and held fast to her faith. When she walked in a room, rather than make a grand entrance, she quietly and quickly would make her way around to kiss and hug each and every one she knew. For me, the room grew brighter when she arrived. She had a wonderful smile and a laugh that couldn't help but elicit laughter from others. My favorite laughs were the ones that seemed virtually uncontrollable, where her face would crinkle, and her feet would perform a little tap dance and she rocked back and forth in glee. She had a knack for recounting stories of the past, and it was a favorite past time of mine to listen to her talk about her father, whom many of us nieces and nephews did not have the privilege to get to know. She loved children and children loved her back, she especially loved her family, Her daughter Linda, Son Bruce and Grandchildren Nathan, Lance and Jodi where absolutely the love of her life, she always beamed with pride when speaking of them and it is for them who this will be the most difficult. She had a distinct personal style and a heightened sense of baking - her elaborate cakes, and shortbread cookies, only began to showcase her skill at the art of baking, her personal dress and demeanor, her beautiful handwriting - she had a way about her that was so very special.
But yet, Monie had a way of making other people feel special themselves. If you remember the way that she looked at you when you spoke with her and the way that she listened intently to everything that you said to her - you know. She really cared. She knew the people that she came across in her daily life by name - neighbors, receptionists, sales clerks - and she usually knew something about them all because she took the time to converse with them and to get to know them. She was also amazingly thoughtful. She would call to make sure you were alright. She never forgot a birthday and was always so diligent about sending occasion cards and thank yous. My Aunt Monie took care of us all. Just a few days ago while she was in on a hospital stay, she told me she loved me, and to be safe. She was the one lying in bed, and she was worried about me. That's my Aunt Monie.
She was passionate about many things. However, perhaps one of her prevalent passions was her love for God. As her Godchild, I had the utmost privilege of experiencing this love of hers, first hand. Whenever a special church event appeared in my life, Monie was there, beaming with pride. She would be the one sitting amongst the congregation singing every single hymn by heart, and the first to raise her hand to volunteer when something needed to be done. She performed charitable work for many years with her own Church, and I fondly remember many years ago her pride of having a "foster child". She proudly displayed that child's picture right next to her kitchen table, where everyone that came into her home could see.
She was so very generous with her time as well as with her possessions. Though my aunt almost never asked for any help for herself, she was always offering her aid when she recognized an opportunity to make a difference. I think her greatest passion was for her family and her closest friends. It seemed that there was nothing that she wouldn't do for us. I had to stop complimenting her on items that she had because if she thought I liked things, she would likely try to give them to me. It seemed that no possession meant more to her than the joy that it might bring to someone she loved. Not too many years ago, when I had been home for Christmas, she came to visit, and eagerly handed me a tiny parcel, inside she had placed her Guiding ring. For those that have known my aunt for years, you will surely recall the gold trefoil ring that she proudly wore. If my memory serves me correctly, it had been a gift from the district. As a child growing up, I don't ever recall seeing her finger without the ring and always admired it as she had instilled her love of Guiding in me. She always seemed so very proud of every badge, cord, and pin I received. To have been loved by my aunt, was always such a wonderful experience.
Here Lord is a woman who was brave enough to cross an ocean of life's experiences - and who grew from the comfort of her loved ones including her Brothers and Sisters who love her so very much. A woman who was bold and smart - who guided many stray souls to the love she found in Jesus over the years. A woman so loved that her grandson Lance has courageously shaved his head to support her battle with cancer, a women who when Nathan was first born was so full of pride and joy, it poured from her soul to everyone she would meet. A woman who when Jodi joined her growing family, was so very happy to finally have a Granddaughter. A woman who loved deeply - who, cared for many of us even though we weren't always worthy of her.
Until her passing, I never knew a day without her unconditional love. Now, her love will carry on in each and every one of us whose lives she has touched. Through our interactions with others, her legacy will carry on. She was my role model and one of my greatest friends. I am forever grateful to have walked in the light of her love. I will miss her every day for the rest of my life. I know that no one that knew her will ever forget her. Let us all remember her and the way that she touched our lives.
as she taught me…
Thanks and praise
For our days
'Neath the sun
'Neath the stars
'Neath the sky
As we go
This we know
God is nigh
Monie, may God have met you personally at the Pearly Gates, for no other soul has sung his praise and deserves his comfort more then you. I love you.
