MomMemorial

SPOKEN AT MOM'S FUNERAL:

So many thinks I could say about Mom's life. But I just want to tell you what she loved.

She loved: her 6 kids, my dad, birds, swimming, nature, camping, her daughters-in-law and son-in-law, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, coin collecting, beautiful Christmas cards, her sisters, making fudge at Christmas, family dinners at Thanksgiving, her little red car, Dick's little black VW, her cats, opera, making Spaghetti and Goulash, beautiful scarves, red shoes, Givanchy perfume, beautiful penmanship, her little house, Broadway musicals and theatre, gold jewelry, fried green tomatoes, snow, getting a new perm, eating out, shopping at Kmart, family pictures, thunder storms, peaches, flowers, stray dogs, sitting on her front porch and watching the antique cars drive by during Lakefest, hearing Amanda sing, chocolate, The Far Side cartoons, Tellytubbies, The Price is Right, Jeopardy, oatmeal, a good cup of coffee, getting cards from family, the Church and her Lord, the Bee-Gees, Barbra Streisand, Pavarotti and a little song by another favorite singer, Mandy Patinkin:

"Please play for me that sweet melody called doodly-doo

I like the rest but what I like best is doodly-doo

The simplest thing, There's nothing much to it

You don't have to sing, you just doodly-doo it

Oh, I love it so, wherever I go

I doodly-doodly-doo."

THOUGHTS:

Mom was hallucinating for several days. All of which she completely remembered when she was lucid, which makes me wonder if they were really hallucinations!

For several days, she 'saw' a tall, slim, blond man standing at the end of her bed. He would tap her on the toe and say, "It's almost time".

Another time, she said, "Oh, Beth, do you see those men working up there around the ceiling? They have white coats on and they are working hard on something." I said, "What are they working on, Mom?" She said, "I don't know, but it's going to be beautiful, it's all golden."

Then late one night, she said, "Beth, do you see that tall, slim woman standing there, she's holding a little blond girl. Her hair is so blond, it's almost white, and she has freckles. She's so pretty." I said, "Mom, is she as pretty as Morgan? (her great-granddaughter)" She looked at me, and said, "Well, I can't say that, they're standing right here!"....*L*...she didn't want to offend her hallucination.

But the most touching thing that has given the family so much comfort is this: My father, Cecil, died in 1978, and my brother, Dick, died 2 years ago this week with a brain tumor. Just a few hours before Mom died, she said, "Wait for me, I'm coming." Then she repeated it, "Wait for me, I'm coming." I said, "Who are you talking to, Mom?" She said, "Cecil and Dick." I kissed her on the forehead and said, "Yes, Mom, they are waiting for you by the Gate."

SPOKEN BY AMANDA:

My grandmother was an animal lover and always had pets. One of her favorites was her big old cat, named Tom. Tom was a stray that Rosie took in years ago, and he became her best friend. Tom had to be put to sleep a few months ago, and it was very hard for her. He had become her friend, her confidant.

This little reading gave her comfort.

THE RAINBOW BRIDGE

Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are returned to health and vigor; those who are hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special, someone who was left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; his eager body begins to quiver. Suddenly, he breaks from the group, flying over the green grass, faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into those trusting eyes, so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together . . .

For Rosie

Rosie was just one of those exceptional people

A very rare and special lady indeed,

Full of love and warmth and sweet sincerity

She displayed in both conversation and deed.

Her love will live on in our minds and hearts

And for that we are so much the better,

Her presence in our lives will be so strong

That it would be impossible for us to forget her.

It is so important not to look at this as her death

But more importantly as her wonderful new birth

In a place where she's free of mortal challenges and struggles

That we all must face while on Earth.

For now she is forever reunited with her loved ones

The family and friends that passed before her,

Those who, like all of us here she has touched

Just could not help but to adore her.

Love, Anthony

8/8/01

Rosemary Bush Lemons, 77, of Jamestown, KY, died Tuesday, August 7, 2001.

She was born to Claude & Mildred Ryan Bush on October 6, 1923 in Ecourse, Michigan.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil Anderson Lemons; her son, Richard [Dick] Kingsland; and her sister, Arlene Whalen, Michigan.

She is survived by four sons: Robert [Bob] Bruce Kingsland, of Stewart, FL; Charles [Chick] Elmer Kingsland, of Flemington, NJ; George Earl Lemons, of Versailles, KY; and Steven Anderson Lemons, also of Versailles, KY.

She is survived by one daughter, Beth Ann Morgan, of Jamestown, KY.

She is survived by three daughters-in-laws: Pat Kingsland, Winter Springs, FL; Judy Kingsland, Flemington, NJ; and Lisa Lemons, Versailles, KY, and one son-in-law, Rev. Richard Morgan, Jamestown.

Grandchildren include Kimber Kingsland, Cory Kingsland, Rick [& Tammie] Kingsland, Angie [& Bryan] Fowler, JB [& Kristie] Kingsland, Bill [& Debbie] Kingsland, Kelly [& Don] Alexander, Anna [& Anthony] O'Keeffe, Amanda [& Jason] Langos, Michael Lemons, Jason Lemons, & Andrew Lemons.

Great-grandchildren include: Nikki Kingsland, Haley Kingsland, Kyle Fowler, Daniel Fowler, Morgan Kingsland, Justin Kingsland, Tyler Kingsland, Megan Kingsland, Eric Kingsland, Storm Dutton, Amara Dutton, & Morgan Langos.

Also surviving are two sisters, Ardale Scott & Donna Clark, of Michigan, and several nieces and nephews.