Condolence From: LeeAnn Spence
Condolence: How do you put into words the way someone's life meant so much to you? Most of you know 'Hank' as a friend,a member of a congregation, a patient, or a teacher. I knew her as all those, but mostly I knew her as 'Mom'. Growing up we moved around a lot because Dad was career Army. He would come home and tell us to start packing, that we were moving Again. My Mom almost always had to plan, sort, pack, and get us moved to our next destination. I knew it stressed her out, but when she made the commitment to my Dad, she also had to make the commitment to the Army to follow my Dad wherever he had to lead us. My Mom was also an awesome Special Education Teacher. She loved her 'kids'. They were All special to her. She would sometimes bring us three girls with her to school when we didn't have classes. Through them my Mom taught us patience, compassion, and understanding. My Mom taught us to love these kids with special needs, and to treat them the same as anyone else. She raised three girls through the horrible teenage years, and having had teenagers, I called her many times to apologize for the way I treated her sometimes through those years. She always laughed,and said she knew that we too would learn to get through those years. As an adult, I had a special needs child, Kelsey. My Mom was so instrumental in getting Mr through these 31 years of raising my daughter. She often said that Kelsey taught her a lot too. I have admired, and respected my Mother all my life. I could never live up to how she was towards her family, her friends, and life in general, no matter how hard I try because she is and was a truly special lady. She never expected us to live up to anyone but ourselves. She just wanted us to be happy, and to treat others how we wanted to be treated. I will miss our phone calls, our talks we had when I came to visit, your special sweet smile, and your beauty. I Love you Mom with all my heart, and soul. I miss you terribly now and forever. Thank You for being my Mom, and my friend. I WILL see you again.
Friday January 12, 2018
Condolence From: Roger Cunningham
Condolence: I sat down today to write some thoughts & feelings about Hank. But, I find it very hard to tell you how I want to express these things about such an exceptional person. About a life that was so full of joy & sorrow. A person who touched my life in such a profound way. We all like to think that we are good & kind people, that was not me. I have always been very self destructive from my youth on. I seen no redeeming qualities in myself. But, then there was Hank. She seemed to always have a smile & kind words that would make me stop and take a new look at life. Just being around her was a true joy. Her sense of compassion for those less fortunate moved me to see that I could use my talents to help others. What I think,feel, and desire now, is I hope a small reflection of the influence she had on me. I will always be grateful for her caring about my daughter Melissa and my son Jeremy & their children and grandchild. I will not let her death keep me from doing all I can to honor her. For everyday I will remember her as my friend and mother in law. When the sun shines I will remember her smile & love, when the breeze blows her words & laughter will echo in my ears & when darkness falls it will bring to mind the loss that this family has suffered. I have been listening to music today, one song in particular is one that has always touched my heart. It's by Steve Winwood. It's called Vacant Chair. There will always be an empty place in my heart for those we have lost, but I will strive to fill it with the good that can be accomplished by following the example set by Hank. So love each other despite imperfections, treasure the time we have together, be forgiving, hope for a better tomorrow. Each of us has that choice. So as the song ends "till we meet again. I know these are just words of an imperfect person but, this is all I have to offer to those of us how are still here. May the God of all comfort be with each of you.
Sunday January 07, 2018
