Jack

These three remain, faith, hope and love; but the greatest of these is love.

Mom’s life was driven by love.  First I think of her unfailing love for her husband.  It began as a crush when in Garrett High School.  This chubby yet pretty family girl fell in love with a handsome athletic boy from across the tracks.  For 62 years this grew into a love that would never fail.  They went through many trials, trials that destroy some relationships.  But in Mom, love only grew.  

As a child I lived with a mom and dad who loved each other and loved their children unconditionally.  I never, ever doubted this love.  It was only later in life that I learned this was not true of every family.  I was sheltered by Mom’s love- just as we all are sheltered by God’s love if we allow ourselves to rest in His loving arms.  I am who I am because of the foundation I was given of unconditional love from my mother.  Thank you Mom.

As mom grew older, her love for God also grew and matured.  It seemed to me that the loss of her two infant boys shook her faith in the loving God she knew as a child growing up.  But time brought her back to the foot of the cross with an even deeper faith in the love of God for her.  Our music director at church has expressed how she will miss mom sitting in the front, every week being moved to tears by the worship of our loving God.

Family- that was of utmost importance to Mom.  From the beginning of her life to her last breath, she never wavered from her love and commitment to family.  And now we see the legacy of Mom’s love for her husband and her family.  3 sons and a daughter, 12 grandchildren, and 12? Great grandchildren…  Thank you mom, we strive to keep your legacy of love alive into the next generation and beyond. 

Love, Jack