5 Candles

The first candle represents our grief. The pain of losing you is intense. It reminds us of the depth of our love for you.

The second candle represents our courage - to confront our sorrow, to comfort each other, and to change our lives for the greater good.

The third candle we light in memory of you - the times we laughed, the times we cried, the times we were angry with each other, the silly things you did, and the caring and joy you gave us.

The fourth candle is the light of love. Every day we cherish the special place in our hearts that will always be reserved for you. We thank you for the gift your living brought to each of us.

The fifth candle is the light of hope. It reminds us of love and memories of you that are ours forever. May the glow of the flame be our source of hopefulness now and forever.

Remember Me This Way

When I come to the end of my journey
And I travel my last weary mile,
Just forget if you can, that I ever frowned
And remember only the smile.

Forget unkind words I have spoken;
Remember some good I have done.
Forget that I ever had heartache
And remember I've had loads of fun.

Forget that I've stumbled and blundered
And sometimes fell by the way.
Remember I have fought some hard battles
And won, ere the close of the day.

Then forget to grieve for my going,
I would not have you sad for a day,
But in summer just gather some flowers
And remember the place where I lay,

And come in the shade of evening
When the sun paints the sky in the west
Stand for a few moments beside me
And remember only my best.


Author Unknown

The Room        By Betty Jo Lackey

I cleaned your room behind that door
I packed your things and so much more

I searched through all the "might have beens"
and cleaned up all "remember whens"

and found so many "used to be's"
and "never mores" and memories

The "not agains" were in your chair
and the "what ifs" were everywhere

Your "used to wears" and "hoped to be's"
were in your closet lots of these

Your blessed presence filled the room
with "never mores" regrets and gloom

I found some hope and even shame
 words you left and lots of pain

I packed your shoes I packed your clothes
but what I am to do with those

The box I bought it had a lid
but they won't fit inside of it

And so I placed them in my heart
where they will ever be a part

I packed you up and closed the door
but you're with me forever more

All your hopes your dreams your pain
will visit me and once again

I'll have to pack them all away
another time, another day.

   

My Memory Library

Imagine if I was given one moment,

just a single slice of my past.

I could hold it close forever,

and that moment would always last.

I'd put the moment in a safe,
within my hearts abode.

I could open it when I wanted,

and only I would know the code.

I could choose a time of laughing,

a time of happiness and fun.

I could choose a time that tried me,

through everything I've done.

I sat and thought about what moment,

would always make me smile.

One that would always push me,

to walk that extra mile.

If I'm feeling sad and low,

if I'm struggling with what to do.

I can go and open my little safe,

and watch my moment through.

There are moments I can think of,

that would lift my spirits everytime.

The moments when you picked me up,

when the road was hard to climb.

For me to only pick one moment,

to cherish, save and keep,

Is proving really difficult,

as I've gathered up a heap!

I've dug deep inside my heart,

found the safe and looked inside,

there was room for lots of moments,

in fact hundreds if I tried.

I'm building my own little library,

embedded in my heart,

for all the moments spent with you,

before you had to part.

I can open it up whenever I like,

pick a moment and watch it through,

My little library acts as a promise,

I'll never ever forget you.

By Sarah Blackstone 

First Christmas Without You

The nights are getting longer
The sun is barely here
The weather is cold and frosty
So Christmas must be near

Twinkling lights will start appearing
Holly and Tinsel here and there
Santa Wish Lists will be written
By excited children everywhere

But for me there will be no Turkey
Decorations will stay packed away
No Mistletoe to be kissed under
For me this Christmas Day

No Christmas Morning smiles
As we wake to greet the morn'
No special gifts for each other
With fancy wrappings to be torn

My day will be filled with memories
With sadness and with tears
With remembering Happy Christmas's
Spent together in previous years

This year will be the first Christmas
I have to spend alone without you
So it will not be Happy and Jolly
Just very empty, sad and blue.

But deep down I know you'll be with me
I will feel your presence when I am blue
I will smile when I remember some silly times
And the twinkling eyes that were uniquely you.

So I am not looking forward to this Christmas
I know I will be feeling oh so blue
But I know it is something I have to live through
This very first Christmas without you!

(Author Unknown)

	When you see a sky of blue Think of me and remember my favorite color, The one of peace and tranquility ~ When you see a beautiful flower arrangement Remember me, my love of art, and special talents~ When you see birds on the wing Know that my spirit soars with them  In graceful compliment to their flight ~
When you see a special smile Realize that I still smile with you, For all the wonderful times we shared ~ When you hear roaring laughter Think of all the funny things That could never happen to anyone else but me ~
When you hear a child cry Dry the tears and try not to mourn But celebrate all that was joyful In our years together ~ When you feel a gentle breeze Stop and listen for a moment You will hear my voice reassuring you To keep on doing your best ~
When you hear a lovely song Think of music, gatherings, holidays and parties, The memories that can never be silenced~
When you hug someone gently Remember my touch And know that I am hugging you And keeping you close ~
When you see a rainbow And the sun shining through the raindrops Remember the promises of God and be assured ~ I am at peace and in His presence ~ by Lucy Linder

My Beloved Mother passed away on September 19, 2012.

She has been my strength all my life.  She has been my teacher.  
She has shown me so much love. She has never judged me thru all my trials and tribulations.  Mom was always the one constant thing in my life. Never faultering, never wavering.

In the last 3 years,  I have been her caregiver.   I have learned to be more patient, more kind and giving.  Even though I grew up knowing these things, she has helped me to apply it more fully.
I miss her so much.
My heart aches that I will not laugh with her, sing with her and hold her hands that I have ever admired.  So many times, I wonder if I did enough?  Was it something I did that made her decline come more quickly?  Instead of focusing on her Alzheimer's disease, I wish I would have focused more on the COPD.

There are so many things I meant to say to my Mother.  Thank you to Thomas Beechy and your magnificent poem.  You read my heart and gave it words.
Though there will be times I faulter and fall, may she always be in my heart and mind.
Here is another poem that speaks my heart.



She is Gone

You can shed tears that she is gone
Or you can smile because she has lived
You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left
Your heart can be empty because you can't see her
Or you can be full of the love that you shared
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday
You can remember her and only that she is gone
Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on
You can cry and close your mind,
be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what she would want:
smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

Thank you David Harkins -You read my heart and gave it words.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVtXTWgwEQQ      "I'll Be   by Reba McEntire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMcZI8pOjjA         "Perhaps Love"   by   John Denver


http://taborfuneralhome.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=1621201&fh_id=13067
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Catherine V. Knowles (August 23, 1923 - September 20, 2012)  Catherine V. Knowles, 89, of Brighton, passed away on September 20, 2012 at her home. She was born August 23, 1923 in Cincinnatus, NY. She married John Knowles on April 21, 1942 during World War II. Catherine is survived by her children, Mary M. Gray of Commerce City, Joseph H. Knowles of Arvada, Catherine M. Norris of Brighton, James C. Knowles of Thornton; daughter-in-law, Barbara Knowles of Westminster; 10 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband John in 1990 and son, John T. Knowles in 2008. Private Services will be held at a later date. Tabor-Rice Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.