John 14:1-2 "Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to My self that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know and the way you know."
For me hearing Pastor say the exact verse that I had marked in my Bible that morning was confirmation from the Lord about where Mom was. It brings me comfort and I hope it brings you comfort too.
Then Pastor said that the word that came to mind for him when he thought about Ella was "dignified". He said that no matter what she was doing or wearing or where she was, she carried herself with so much dignity. He invited everyone to share something about Ella big or small. It didn't have to be an elaborate speech. He encouraged us to say "I remember when Ella........ and fill it in with a story or memory.
People talked about how she always made them feel welcome. She would greet people at church on Sundays and gave everyone the biggest smiles to make them feel welcome. When I met her she accepted me into the family immediately despite the circumstances. She was so very kind to me. I remember when we were at her house for Christmas. I was enjoying playing with one of the grandchildren. She said to me, "Why don't you just go ahead and have another baby!" To me that was a special and complete acceptance into the family to give her another grandchild. Paul chimed into say that we complied and Faith was born so she stood up! :)
Shelley talked about how the first time she met her, Ella greeted her at the door and said I will love you just like one of my own daughters. Sarah said that the first time she met Ella was when she came home from a party with Barry and was completely welcomed into her home and even lived there for a while. Mom always opened her home to family and their friends regardless of circumstances.
I like the story that her grandson Paul told about the time he and Fallon and Bridget were fighting over a tootsie roll. Ella said, "give me that tootsie roll!" and proceeded into the kitchen where she got a knife and cut it into three pieces so that they could share it. What a sweet memory!
My Paul mentioned how his Mom used to leave the discipline up to his Dad. She would say "You wait until your Father gets home!" He continued on to tell a story about how one time she didn't wait til his Father got home. Paul had stabbed his sister Franny with a pencil. When Mom discovered what he had done, she took the pencil and stabbed him in the rear end with it! Needless to say, he still has a mark!
Don't know why but just wanted to throw this pic of Paul in. Mom, thanks for giving me a husband who likes to do fun things like make snowmen!!
DeeDee remembered how her Mom would rub her back and continuously do the figure eight on her back with her fingers. It was a soothing beautiful memory. How wonderful to have a loving Mama!
To DeeDee and Shelley, I would like to say thank you for the wonderful care you took of her. I would also like to say, that despite how hard it was to say goodbye, it was an oppportunity to share, and love and cry and be a family. Mom brought everyone together even in this hard time.
I remember the time I brought my granddaughter Ebonie there for the first time. Mom opened her arms right up to her to hold her. I love this pic
Faith and her Gramma in 2010. Faith loved helping her do puzzles! So did I!!
I want to write more and will add to this. Family, please send me any memory that you would like to add.
After everyone shared their memories of Ella's life, they played a cassette recording of Mom singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"! I had no idea that Mom could sing like that. It was beautiful! So to all of you in the family, Mom knew how much she was loved! And right now, she is somewhere over the rainbow, in that mansion that Jesus has prepared for her. I just know it!! Love to each one of you and comfort!
Sincerely, Janet
