My daughter is a fine writer. I expect one day she’ll write a bestseller and everyone will be singing her praises. Right now, though, she is tied up with raising a beautiful family and working full time as the office manager of a busy veterinary hospital. She’s a pretty amazing human being and I love her so much it hurts sometimes.
Today she posted tributes to the two ladies our family lost to COVID this past week. I had planned on writing down my own memories, but honestly, Ashley’s tributes are so beautiful I could never have matched them. With her permission here’s her post from Facebook:
“My family suffered two great losses this past week. We gathered in Texas to remember, mourn, honor, and celebrate the lives of my Greatest Aunt Lyn and my Mema Helen. There are now two giant holes in my heart, and our family will never be the same without them.
Aunt Lynnie was full of life. She lived and loved with her entire heart, and with purpose. She was protective of everyone she loved, caring, hilarious, strong, adventurous, and a force to be reckoned with. If you ever had a chance to talk to her, you would almost immediately get a sense of who she was. She loved to talk about her family, her passions, and her pride and joy – the Hereford Senior Center and the thrift store that she made her baby. I can hear her laughter, and see her smile…the ones that lit up every room and made everyone feel welcomed and loved. She was always the one to suggest a “girl’s trip” to get a drink and lottery tickets.
Mema’s legacy will live on through our entire family. She was one of the most amazing people this world will ever know. The stories from her childhood in Pie Town, New Mexico. Her famous biscuits & gravy. Her laughter, especially when one of us said something slightly inappropriate that she thought she probably shouldn’t have been laughing at (and then the subsequent use of that person’s first AND middle names). Her love for her family. Her sense of adventure and the way her eyes lit up when she talked about trips to the casino, or her grandkids, or the cruises she enjoyed taking. She loved her church, her friends, and traveling. I can only hope I live my life with as much gusto and passion as my Mema did.”
My words—when folks die we tend to exaggerate their sweetness or say they were loved by all, even if they weren’t, but I can honestly say that these two women were admired by all who knew them. Gone from this world much too soon, but never forgotten. We will always love them.
Peace, people.
Praying for Eyebrowz 
I am so sorry for your loss, Leslie. Your daughter brought such character in these two ladies to life with her beautiful words, such a sweet memory of them. ‘I can only hope I live my life with as much gusto and passion as my mama did’. Sending so much love across the ocean to you and your family. Peace.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tears. And hopes for finding peace.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Leslie–I am so very sorry.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you. We are all still trying to process this.
LikeLike
A beautiful tribute Leslie and such a horrible tragedy for Studly’s family, you and all the people who knew and loved these women.
LikeLiked by 2 people
They were pretty special.
LikeLike
Beautiful words. Very sorry for your double loss, Leslie.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Dave.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ashley certainly IS a warm and passionate writer. I feel as though I know Studley’s mother and sister personally. Hugs to you all as you continue to grieve and reminisce. Love to all.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, sweetie.
LikeLike
Those are beautiful words. I always have a “what” look when I see Americans write biscuits and gravy though, lol…Biscuits in gravy? lol. Biscuits are cookies in Australia, lol
I am very happy to hear that you don’t need to exaggerate with your words in their memory. That’s is always the worst, when you realise people have to exaggerate or lie at a funeral >.<
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an awful thought—cookies in gravy! Thank you for the giggle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤ ❤ ❤
LikeLike
Those were simply lovely tributes to two much-loved snd missed ladies. Many condolences
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh Leslie, so sorry for you all just now. But your daughter did the bestest job here. For those who never knew them, she brought them to life. xxx
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you. My daughter certainly did a better job than I could have. She captured their spirits perfectly.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You could ahave done a fine job Leslie, you are just too close to it right now xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fine tributes – to your daughter, too. Such terrible results of what I think of as blinkered policies – so they make me angry, too. I send my condolences to you all
LikeLiked by 2 people
Fine tributes – to your daughter, too. Such terrible casualties of what I think of as blinkered policies – so they make me angry, too. I send my condolences to you all
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you so much.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thinking of you
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much.
LikeLike
My deepest condolences for your losses🎐
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thinking of you, and sending your departed loved ones best thoughts when I meditate
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so sorry for you. How awful that they came so close together.
LikeLiked by 2 people
In my imagination I believe that Lyn got to the other side and said, “hey Mom, it’s beautiful here.” And of course Helen joined her. It was impossible to turn Lyn down.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am so sorry for your loss of two beautiful women. What lovely tributes your daughter wrote. (I am surprised to read Lyn was your sister in law – she looks so much like you she could be your sister!)
LikeLiked by 2 people
I don’t see that resemblance, but thank you!
LikeLike
Wow. Yes, that’s certainly quite a tribute. Sorry for your loss.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you.
LikeLike
What a great loss and a lovely tribute. My heart breaks for all the families who have lost loved ones during this pandemic.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It has been devastating.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am so sorry for your loss, Leslie and Studly. It is such a sad way to go. I hope you were able to visit them at the end. May you be filled with peace at this time of grief.
We have been as drops of water,
born into the ocean and sprinkled on the earth
in a gentle rain.
We become a spring,
and then a stream,
and finally, a river flowing deeper and stronger,
nourishing all it touches
as it nears its home once more.
“We Are a River” by Lao Tzu
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s lovely. Thank you.
LikeLike