I remember the first time I was preparing to meet you. I was very nervous and I told Troy so, especially because my English was very limited at the time. Troy said that everything would be okay and that I didn't need to worry about what to say. Boy... was he right?! I didn't have to worry about what to say, there were not many chances to say anything. You were a talker. Ha! But you were very warm and the friendliest person I had ever met.
Mom Ione, you will be missed. We had so many great times together, playing games, eating your great meals, laughing over silly things, crying over difficult moments, celebrating special holidays, and most of all loving each other.
You were a wonderful family member, and at all times showed your love and always worried about all of your siblings, your boys, your grandaugther and everyone else. You were always kind and demonstrated your love through letters, cards, phone calls, and gifts, never forgetting any special occasion. You never wavered in your love for all of us.
I will always see pieces of you reflected in your sons. You did good with your boys! All your sacrifices and hard work to provide for them, putting them through school, always being there for them was really appreciated and it shows in how they are as adults.
You had a self-deprecating sense of humor, very witty, and we shared so many funny moments with you. I remember one day when we were playing Pictionary, and with all of your artistic talent, I have to say, drawing wasn't your strongest suit. Troy was trying to guess the picture you drew, it was very puzzling. We thought it was an R-rated drawing. When you realized what it looked like, you couldn't contain yourself and we laughed and cried for a long time and tried to catch our breaths.
We will always remember you, especially when we go to the farm, drive by your old house, see a garden, get a cold front and snow on the ground and remember how you hated it, watch a Chiefs game (run it back!)... you would have been happy to see them playing in the Superbowl again. However, you wouldn't have been happy to see them lose!!! And boy, you wouldn't like the weather today!!! I will always remember you when I see a pretty flower arrangement, go to Hobby Lobby, eat a good meal and a good desert; or see a dreadful sycamore tree.
I will always remember our trip to Brazil and our adventures there. Your extended family in Brazil will always remember you with endearing love. You were a trooper to endure all the experiences, and the wild, loud and crazy Brazilians, with such grace and with a smile on your face. What you won't do for love aye?! :)
I remember that every time we came to visit you in Kansas City and left you behind as we headed back to Georgia, all of us had tears in our eyes. You stood by the door waving good bye, with tears rolling down your cheeks. As we turned on Blue Ridge Boulevard, we could still see you waving good bye in our side mirrors. This time we are the ones staying behind with tears in our eyes, already feeling your absence as you go on to a better place, reuniting with your loved ones.
Dorothy, Bud, Maxine, Geyne, Delbert, Inez and all of your other family members and friends are having a grand reunion with you. And they should brace themselves, you have a lot to catch them up on!!!
Mom Ione, we will miss you. You will leave a void that will never be filled. We pray that time will help us fill this void with our memories of you and our love for you!!!
We pray that one day our memories of your difficult last weeks will fade and the great moments we had together will prevail. We love you and we will miss you something fierce!!! Now, may you rest in peace and without any pain!!!
You did as Karl asked you to. He said: "Mom, if you see the Jesus train coming, just hop on in!!!" And you did!!! We will see you on the other side, when we embark on that train also.
We will love you forever;
Your daughter-in-law,
Christiane