Mom's Memorial

Despite the massive snow storm, Alex and I and many friends showed up for Mom's sweet memorial yesterday at The Bridge at Alamosa, where she had lived for almost four years and had many good times. Here are a few pictures from the afternoon's service.

The table with Mom's blue angel, a candle, Psalm 23, her ashes, a recent photo of Mom, and a beautiful bouquet of flowers she would have loved.

A close-up provided by Patricia.

Mom's memorial leaflets and the guest sign in booklet..

A photo collage of Mom and her family.

The attendees.

 

Victoria reads "Gone From my Sight"

Arvilla shares her memories of Mom.

Alex shares some humorous memories.

Nancy thanks the attendees and invites them to partake of the Mexican food Mom requested at her memorial.

Patricia (the Celebrant and co-creator [with Mom] of the memorial, Victoria, and Arvilla. And Wilma looking at the collage.

Arvilla, Victoria, Frankie, Al, and Linda, enjoying the reception food (Mom requested Mexican food, and guacamole in particular!).

Flowers provided by Mary, with a view of some of the 30+ guests in the background.

Mom chose to open and close the ceremony with music by Enya, one of her favorite singers. We also played a version of Ave Maria by Celine Dion, which brought tears to everyone's eyes.

Three Threshold Choir songs were sung lovingly by Linda, Arvilla, Patricia, Sherri, and Victoria: I am Sending you Light; My Grateful Heart; and Listen, Listen, Listen. 

These are the three readings that Mom had selected, years ago, to be read at her memorial. They were read by Victoria, Arvilla, and Patricia, respectively.

Gone From My Sight 

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.

Then someone at my side says: "There, she is gone!"

"Gone where?"

Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.

Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says:  "There, she is gone!" there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: "Here she comes!"

And that is dying.
--Henry Van Dyke
 

The Lord is my Shepherd

The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want;
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters;
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for His name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil;
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the
Lord forever.
--Psalm 23

When I am Gone

When I am gone, release me. Let me go.
I have so many things to see and do.
You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears.
Be happy that we had so many beautiful years.
I gave to you my love. You can only guess
How much you gave to me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you each have shown,
But now it's time I traveled on alone.
So grieve a while for me, if grieve you must.
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It's only for a while that we must part,
So bless the memories within your heart.
I won't be far away, for life goes on.
So if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near.
And if you listen with your heart,
You'll hear all my love around you soft and clear.
And then, when you must come this way alone,
I'll greet you with a smile and say welcome home...

--Author Unknown

We loved you Mom/Peggy/Gram!