Farewell to One Great Lady

I attended a funeral of my dad's cousin recently. She was a lot older than my dad and growing up I actually thought she was my grandma's sister. My grandma and her were very good friends and I got to know her from all the times that I went and visited my grandma while growing up. I'm really going to miss her. She was really a wonderful person. She died of ovarian cancer and I know she will be much better off now that she is no longer in pain. She was ready to go and was at peace with how she had lived her life. I was lucky to see her a few days before she passed and am so glad I got one last chance to see her.

While I was listening to the service I remembered how kind and patient she was. Everyone spoke of how she would always put other people first and the fact that she always seemed to be there when you were having a rough time. They all said that they don't remember her losing her temper. She was a very sweet and patient lady. They also spoke of how talented she was and that she shared these talents with her friends and family. I remember that as a wedding present she gave me an apron, a bunch of delicious things she had canned, and a recipe box. These things may seem very old fashioned, but she was an excellent cook and baker and I'm sure she was sharing her love for these things with me.

I left the service feeling that I wanted to be more like her. I definitely am short on patience and I would really like to change that. I know I am much more patient than I used to be, but I still have a lot of room to grow in that department. Another thing that I need to fix is the fact that I sometimes say horrible things to people when I am frustrated or angry. I really need to learn to hold my tongue. I also really want to develop my talents more fully. I hope that when I leave this life people will have only good things to think and say of me.

Here's to you LouAnn. The world has lost a wonderful person, but all that knew you are better for the time they spent with you.

Here are two pictures of her. One from when she was young and a recent one. They are both taken from her funeral program. Please forgive the fact that they are a little fuzzy.