. You will live forever in our memories and hearts.
Mama Fern was a marvel. How could a person who had to spend years caring for an increasingly sick husband and then do the same for her son after his Lou Gehrig's disease striped him of his ability to manage on his own, come out seemingly unscathed? I swear she was actually younger than she was before this saga began. A couple months shy of turning 88, she still drove a car occasionally to take friends to their doctor's appointments, to go to church, run errands; things of this nature. She lived alone and managed her own affairs very well despite the pain she had often suffered at the hands of various ailments & conditions that seemingly go hand in hand with aging. I couldn't get over how well her hearing was; she must never have listened to Rock-n-roll music because she could hear way better than me! She had her wits about her and was a pistol when she got going on top of that soapbox she would perch upon when something drove her to such passion! I still hear her laughter that I will forever cherish when I told her about me and Brian both having "turtle lips." Yes, I will miss my Mama Fern and I am sorry I couldn't make the funeral. I will swing by to see you on Thanksgiving though. My only wish would be that you could have hung on long enough to share one more of many, many holidays together and you could have met Thomas, the man I am engaged to. Blessed I am to have only good memories of our last shared visits and conversations to cherish for the remaining days I have left to walk on my own precarious journey through life's jungle of twists and turns. I will keep you in my mind for inspiration in my times of weakness and self pity. I love you and miss you already. God Speed! Eternal love from your grand daughter, Kristan
Eugenia, Kristan, Kelly and Jeffery:
I was sad to hear of your loss. After reading about Fern from Kristan, I have to say that I think you were pretty lucky to have known her.
Love,
Hank
"Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow;
I am a diamond's glint on the snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain;
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
when you awaken
in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there.I did not die.
My condolences to all of you. I haven't seen Fern in years but remember her kindness to me as a teenager. She allowed me to stay in her home and get to know my first niece. She made me feel so welcomed. I remember her always running to do something or help someone and laughing a lot. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Love
Cathey