This is my mom! Gosh, I can't begin to tell you just how much I love her. She passed away my freshman year of college, on November 21, 1997 a week shy of Thanksgiving. The background of the above picture was purple so it made her hair look blue, but trust me it was mostly a salt and pepper color. I used to give her such a hard time about her gray hair. She'd always come back, you and Robert put it there! The music you are listening to is called Cannon in D by Pachelbel. She loved Classical, and Jass music. Her all-time favorite song was "Jesus Joy of Man's Desiring," which I chose to put on our family page. She was a very special person. She loved everyone, and everyone loved her. She and my dad were married for almost 30 wonderful years! She absolutely loved Colorado and that's where we spent most of our summers. We were always there the first week of June, which meant that my parents would spend their anniversary in Colorado. We haven't been since my mom's death, but my dad is planning a trip this June. Mom was very camera shy. She loved taking pictures, though. She took a picture of this incredible sunset at the lake that we have in our kitchen. Our house is decorated with the pictures she took; she was a great photographer. She was probably the most intelligent person I know. She loved politics, and the Republican Party! I could talk about my mom all day, fill up page after page and still not cover the important things my mom achieved in her 52 years. She was devoted to God and church, there is NO doubt in my mind where she is today! After her death my priest said, "I can only imagine the conversation JoAnne is having with God!" :~) It brought a smile to all our faces, because we could only imagine. Probably asking thousands of questions! I know that I will see her again, and that is what keeps me going!
and I'm not there to see;
If the sun should rise and find your eyes,
all filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn't cry,
the way you did today,
while thinking of the many things,
we didn't get to say.
I know how much you love me,
as much as I love you,
and each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too;
But when tomorrow starts without me,
please try to understand,
that an angel came and called my name,
and took me by the hand,
and said my place was ready,
in heaven far above,
and that I'd have to leave behind,
all those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away,
a tear fell from my eye,
for all life, I'd always thought,
I didn't want to die.
I had so much to live for,
so much yet to do,
it seemed almost impossible,
that I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays,
the good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared,
and all the fun we had.
If I could relive yesterday,
just even for awhile,
I'd say goodbye and kiss you
and maybe see you smile.
But then I fully realized,
that this could never be,
for emptiness and memories,
would take the place of me.
And when I thought of worldly things,
I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did,
my heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through heaven's gates,
I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me,
from His great golden throne,
He said, "This is eternity,
and all I've promised you".
Today for life on earth is past,
but here it starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow,
but today will always last,
and since each day's the same day,
there's no longing for the past.
But you have been so faithful,
so trusting and so true.
Though there were times you did some things,
you knew you shouldn't do.
But you have been forgiven
and now at last you're free.
So won't you take my hand
and share my life with me?
So when tomorrow starts without me,
don't think we're far apart,
for everytime you think of me,
I'm right here, in your heart.