To the best father a daughter could ever hope to be blessed with. Dad, you taught me so many invaluable lessons that I have used throughout my life. I am thankful for every single day! For example: to try new things. Yes, I now know that sushi is delicious and the suction cups from octopus tentacles will suck to your mouth, and if you eat brown slimy lettuce you will definitely vomit! But I tried some new things! My life is forever changed. You always taught me how to do things by leading with a great example. You are a hard worker and always dedicated to your promises and commitments. You didn't do a lot of lecturing and punishing. You told me that there was a difference between being the boss and being bossy. And that is being assertive. Thank you! You drilled the importance of being at least 15 minutes early everywhere I go. If you are on time you are late remember? Those lessons have payed off repetitively. Thank you so much! I know from our experiences everyone has to take the good with …show more content…
Big sometimes. Like on love. You don't ever really know if it will work out. It's a risk. But from what I see you must have done pretty good. You ended up with almost 20 years together and you kept the kids (even though we caused new pain, heartache, being broke, and a lot of trouble.) And you anted up again and you've done pretty well for yourself. So what I take from that is… gamble! It's a matter of perspective. People outside looking in see it differently than it is. I see it as it is two real people together almost 20 years that have made a happy life together with a young son. We aren't frilly or in a neat package but we love, support trust and understand each other's needs and complications. Just like a lot of other couples, we have stayed in love against all odds. You know dad, you and I have been through a lot in our 33 years, we are RESILIENT! You taught me about resilience. Bouncing
On behalf of my entire family, I want to thank all of you for your compassion and for being present here today. For those of you who don't know me, my name is Mauri-Lynne, and I'm Lionel's daughter. Dad was devoted to every one of you. We all hope that you'll share your memories of him with us, if not today then in the weeks and months to come.
Before I go on to celebrate my mother and what she stood for I must share with you the reality of what life was like for my mother and the family since she was first diagnosed with cancer in October. Of course, nobody suffered more than my mother, but Dad you’re definitely second. We all shared my mother’s pain. It was like we were all on trial.
It is hard to give a eulogy for one’s parent. More than the death of a classmate or sibling, the death of a parent is not only a loss, but also a reminder that we are all following an inevitable path. We are all “Outrunning Our Shadow” as her friend Fred Hill so provocatively titled his book.
I stand before you today to pay my last respects, and to say my final goodbyes, to my father Harry.
I'd like to talk today about my grandmother, Ruth Smith - about who she was, what she meant to us, and what this day means.
There is an old Yiddish proverb, when the heart is full, the eyes overflow. And so it is the case when we try to sum up and honor my mother’s life.
I want to thank all of my Mother’s friends and family for being here today to celebrate her life and to mourn her death. I’m sure she would be thrilled to see all of you here and I know it would have meant the world to her.
I was sitting at my small desk in my room when I saw my dad had come home from who knows what, wearing a sad face. He came up to my room with a big red rose. Right then I knew what was going on. I never spent a lot of time with family members who I was not close with. I acknowledged their presence, but I never talked a lot to or about them.
You came into my life and changed me forever. Over the years people have complimented me for being a good mother but I can't take credit for that. You were born good and you were the one who was often teaching me. I believe you are an angel God sent to teach me. You taught me love. You taught me honesty. You taught me how to forgive and how to be strong. You are the strongest person I have ever known and you gave me strength when I was weak. When times were sad and tough I looked to you for strength. You taught me how to be myself. Most of all you taught me about life and how to live.
My mother was a complex, multi-faceted person. Many of you here today knew my mother personally, and many of you knew my mother indirectly through one of her family members. You may have known her as a coworker, a friend, or a support person. Of course, all of my mother’s family here today each knew a part of her, a “facet” of her--as a mother, a sister, an aunt, a grandmother, a cousin.
Good afternoon, let me just start by saying that the kindness, support, friendship, and love extended to me and my family during this difficult time has really touched my heart- we are sincerely appreciative!
I believe that every person in, in their own unique way, creates a legacy in their lifetime by which others can live long after that person has left us. For those of us who remain, Mildred Johnson has truly created a legacy to uphold and fulfill in our daily lives. I firmly believe that this carrying out is a true honor and responsibility by means of the various facets that Mildred has made her own.
The second reason I believe you should accept this love, is because it’s simply what we want. It’s what your son wants too. You raised a man who was taught to go after what he wants, and to not be afraid to get them. This marriage is and will always be a two part thing, not ever will be what only I want. I will always, with guarantee, to put him first for what he wants.
My beautiful daughter Emily Jayne has always been very different from other kids. I have learned a lot about her over the years of being her mother. She has had so many phases it's always so funny to see what she comes up with in her little creative mind. Today I've decided to share a few things about Emily. Some things I will share are good, bad, and just hilarious.
There was only two days until Christmas Day and my brother and I were abandoned at my grandma and grandpa’s house. My brother was in fourth grade and I was in kindergarten at the time. He and I have been asking for a dog for a good two years. Little did we know that the reason we were at our grandparents was when our wish could come to life. “Why do we have to go to their house?