Friday, October 29, 2010

My Youngest Daughter's - Euology to her Mother

I have been blessed to have had 3 wonderful daughters. When we wanted to speak at the funeral, people said, “Are you sure?”

Yes we were sure! My baby girl, is a sensitive child and she did her Mother proud.

Here is her message.

If you believe there is strength in numbers, then our family unit is weaker today. But we still pick each other up, wipe each others tears and hold each others hand; because that is what my mother would have wanted.

She was the rock of our family; Always staying strong for us, now we need to be strong for her.

My Mom’s entire life revolved around her family.She cherished those special occasions and holidays when we all made time to gather together. To eat home cooking, talk and laugh. No matter how full we were, Mom always saved room for desert.

She never forgot a birthday or anniversary. She attended every graduation, dance recital and special event, bursting with pride for whichever one of her 7 grand children she was there to support.

Today as we honor my mom, it gives me peace to know she is surrounded by the things she loved most; her family, friends, and all these beautiful flowers. She will always be the strongest, most courageous woman I will ever know. And her love and strength will carry on in each and every one of us.

My Mother’s Garden

My mother kept a garden, a garden of the heart.

She planted all the good things that gave my life a start.

She turned me to the sunshine and encouraged me to dream.

Fostering and nurturing the seeds of self-esteem.

And when the winds and rain came, she protected me enough;

But not too much because she knew, I’d need to stand up strong.

Her constant good example, always taught me right from wrong- they were markers for my pathway that will last a lifetime long.

I am my mother’s garden, I am her legacy- and I hope she feels the love reflected back from me.

~~~

Tania and Chelsey, Mother and daughter.

My 15 year old Granddaughter (Chelsey) sang. It was so beautiful and the first time she sang in a crowd. Her Grandma wanted to hear her sing but she was so shy we never got the opportunity to hear her. She wanted to sing for her Grandma, and it was the most beautiful voice I have ever heard.

Chelsey


I have so many people that I need to thank.

The Rev Heather Robinson, for her gentle touch to my back; renewing my strength when, I started to stumble.

Annie & Bill, Dianne & Murray, Dave & Mary, who, have always been a rock and keep in constant touch.

All the people, who sent flowers and signed cards to the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

To neighbors, and friends of my girls, who provide us with a endless supply of food.

To all the friends, who called and lent support.

To those, who came to the funeral

To all the many internet friends, who have added heart felt comments on the blogs.

To my best friend's Dave & Mary, who wanted to send me a ticket to fly west 3000 miles, to stay a while with them.

To Dennis Toll Funeral Home & Chapel, for providing the very best in professional service.

And most of all my family, who are always there giving comfort and keep thinking, I need to eat.

The Grand Children Carole was so proud of.

Two of three grand daughters, Caitlin & Chelsey

Inseparable, Abby with her idols, her cousins,Chad & Paul

My first born - Tracey, and her first born - Brent


Tracey's youngest- Alex on Graduation Day


A rare picture of Paul, with his girl friend Melissa and not his Cousin Abby.
Usually if I take a picture of Paul, Abby is with him.


And last but not least - My girls
Tania, Tracey, Terri, Carole
Carole passed away 11 days after this picture.
Love! is a beautiful four letter word. Use it often ………Doug


Never Say Goodbye

I am walking with you hand in hand,

I am speaking to your heart.

Listen when I say to you,

"I'm here, we'll never part."

I am with you in the daytime,

I am with you through the night.

I hear the prayers you're sending me.

Can you hear me? I'm alright.

I am happy and I wear a smile,

I'm with some friends you know.

Open your soul and listen to me,

I'm here, I did not go.

I am holding you with living arms,

I am carrying you through your tears.

I am listening to you tell the stories

Of our laughter through the years.

I am shining down a light of love

From the heaven in the sky.

Please believe me when I tell you,

I will never say goodbye.


It is hard to let go of memories


My Baby Girls Euology to her Mother and family thank you's

I have been blessed to have had 3 wonderful daughters. When we wanted to speak at the funeral, people said, “Are you sure?”

Yes we were sure! My baby girl, is a sensitive child and she did her Mother proud. Here is her message.

If you believe there is strength in numbers, then our family unit is weaker today. But we still pick each other up, wipe each others tears and hold each others hand; because that is what my mother would have wanted.

She was the rock of our family; Always staying strong for us, now we need to be strong for her.

My Mom’s entire life revolved around her family.She cherished those special occasions and holidays when we all made time to gather together. To eat home cooking, talk and laugh. No matter how full we were, Mom always saved room for desert.

She never forgot a birthday or anniversary. She attended every graduation, dance recital and special event, bursting with pride for whichever one of her 7 grand children she was there to support.

Today as we honor my mom, it gives me peace to know she is surrounded by the things she loved most; her family, friends, and all these beautiful flowers. She will always be the strongest, most courageous woman I will ever know. And her love and strength will carry on in each and every one of us.

My Mother’s Garden

My mother kept a garden, a garden of the heart.

She planted all the good things that gave my life a start.

She turned me to the sunshine and encouraged me to dream.

Fostering and nurturing the seeds of self-esteem.

And when the winds and rain came, she protected me enough;

But not too much because she knew, I’d need to stand up strong.

Her constant good example, always taught me right from wrong- they were markers for my pathway that will last a lifetime long.

I am my mother’s garden, I am her legacy- and I hope she feels the love reflected back from me.

Picture of Tania, my youngest baby girl and her family.


My 15 year old Granddaughter sang. It was so beautiful and the first time she sang in a crowd. Her Grandma wanted to hear her sing but she is so shy; we never got the opportunity to hear her. She wanted to sing for her Grandma, and it was the most beautiful voice I have ever heard.

Picture of Chelsey

I have so many people that I need to thank.

The Rev Heather Robinson, for her gentle touch to my back; renewing my strength when, I started to stumble.

Annie & Bill, Dianne & Murray, Dave & Mary, who, have always been a rock and keep in constant touch.

All the people, who sent flowers and signed cards to the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

To neighbors, and friends of my girls, who provide us with a endless supply of food.

To all the friends, who called and lent support.

To those, who came to the funeral

To all the many internet friends, who have added heart felt comments on the blogs.

To my best friend Dave & Mary, who wanted to send me a ticket to fly west to stay a while with them.

To Dennis Toll Funeral Home & Chapel, for providing the very best in professional service.

And most of all my family, who are always there giving comfort and keep thinking, I need to eat.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Travels Down the Dusty Road of Life

Through life we sometimes travel not only a dusty road but one full of bumps and pot holes. Losing a loved one is about as rough as it can get.
On Oct 22nd I experienced the roughest ride of my life with the death of my wife, my lover, and my best friend.
Carole’s life 1942 - 2010
Carole had many health issues over the last ten years. Starting in 2000 when she had heart surgery, then losing eyesight a result of mini strokes and blocked arteries. But! If you met Carole and asked her how she was doing.
She always said, I’m fine.
I cried when my parents passed, I cried, when my brother passed. I cried for family and friends. They say crying is good. It is a healing process.
None of it prepared me for the tears I have lost losing my most precious possession. My, beautiful wife. Nothing has ever hurt this bad.
Life with my Carole spanned from, Aug 1959  to Oct 2010.
It is those years in between that are so important.
Memories are all that are left.
We were a team for 51 years. And I have lost the most valuable player.
Carole and I met when she was in high school and just 15. I fell in love with her immediately. We married when she was 17..... Aug 1959. We had our first beautiful daughter in Dec 1960. Bought a house and set up a home.
Over the next 10 years we had 2 more beautiful daughters and a two bedroom home; time to start looking for more space. We bought a new home in a survey and I wasn’t happy. I wanted country, she wanted city, and country won. She always did without for her family happiness.
It wasn’t long before she was the happiest person in the country. She had a wonderful neighbor and friend Betty Rock (nee Jolley). The kids were happy, I was happy, the world revolved around one big happy family. She cemented us together as a family. I do believe she invented crazy glue before they bottled it.
Kids grow, start their own families, and move on. We were blessed with 3 wonderful daughters, great son in laws and grandchildren to be proud of.
Grand children were now her number one priority. She loved them all.... equally. She was like a Momma bear in a honey hive when surrounded with her kids. The special family gatherings were important to her and that is how she left this world; Surrounded at bedside with all her family as she struggled to stay with us for just a few minutes longer.
I wish I could stop for a commercial break and turn back the hands of time. I wish, I could say....sorry, for not protecting her.  I wish I could wave a magic wand, I wish most of all that my prayers were answered.
For 51 years no matter what transpired, we always kissed each other goodnight.
Thank you Carole, for a life time of love.....I love you.
Please view the photos of Carole's life.
Is there any wonder why I was in love?
She was such a beautiful bride.
One last stroke of the pen and we are legally Husband & Wife.
At 17 years of age she was a mature woman.
 A Vacation to Virginia with her parents; Virginia is my mother's birthplace.
This was in Aug a year after we married and Carole was expecting.
Her father died in Nov, a month before the baby was born.
 My favorite sailor.
 
 She loved to travel.
 
 Soft sands and far away places. 
This picture is only 2 years ago.
Happiness was with her family and
nothing pleased her more than a family gathering.
Here we are all together on my 70th birthday.
Carole's last picture. 
Taken by our 11 year old Grand daughter Abby, on Canadian Thanksgiving Day, Oct 11, 2010. 
Hard to believe we lost her just 11 days later.
 She was a wonderful Mother, Grandmother and wife. And a fact that people never quite believed, she never colored her hair once in her lifetime and she had no gray.
Put your arms around her Lord
Treat her with special care
Make up for all she suffered
And all that seemed unfair.
With only memories for us to keep
These are the words she would reply
“This life for me has truly passed
I, love you all to the very last.
Weep not for me but courage take
And love each other for my sake.”