We have shared so many wonderful memories, celebrating your birthday's going to north carolina and lewes delaware for the reunions, joking,talking,laughing and danceing with you. Having fun at the bull roast and new years parties. I loved it when you and mom would come to my place and  stay the weekend with me i treasure those moment's.I will miss when you would call me and say i'am just checking to see how you are doing and we would talk,joke and laugh on the phone. Before we would hang up yu would always tell me that you loved me and would say ''HAVE A GOOD NIGHT TONIGHT AND A  BETER DAY TOMARROW'' I know that there will be no more phone calls but i will always be able to talk to you in spirit. Daddy i thank you for nameing me after you 'SYDNEY BOBBI THOMPSON' i will always carry your name you make me proud to be your daughter. I appreciate the way you and mom raised me it has made me who i'am today and i thank you for that, Before i left on 7-31-13  to go back home i said to you i will be back on saturday 8-3-13 and that i loved you, you then said to me saturday and i said yes you said ok.I got to you and moms about 6pm you knew i was there when you raised your hand.I slept in the lazy boy chair next to you holding your hand and rubbing your arm.You were sleeping so peacefully. I know that i'am special because i was the one who was there with you when you went on home to the lord. I'am greatful for that i thank you daddy for giving me peace. You will forever live in my heart and soul. always be in my thoughts.
You will be truely missed but not forgottened.
i love you so much and with all my heart,
Sydney,

Me and dad, sisterJustina and my two nieces when they were little Stephanie,Laurynn on my graduation day from dental assisting school.

Daddy celebrating my 40th birthday with me family and friends.

I have so many sweet memories of all the moments we shared, an inseparable bond that cannot be shattered.

You taught me so many things and gave me great advice regarding life and its scenarios. Through it all you always had my best interest at heart.

I will miss the expression on your face , the joy and pride you shared when you spoke of Little Steph. I will miss the phone calls, just to tell me something about what she was doing for you and mom or how she would pop over with some type of surprise. I cherish the joy in your voice and the words you spoke when you would say “Your daughter is too much, she is something else” You would then proceed to tell me about the dinners, gifts, outings and sleep-overs she did. You never knew but, my eyes always shed tears when you shared such happiness with me. I always got choked up listening to your voice and the overwhelming sense of pride and joy.

It is because of You and Mom that Steph is all that she is and I am all that I am. You were always an important part of our lives and will always be.

It brings peace to my soul when you and mom told me that every time we are together it was like Christmas. I truly enjoyed spoiling you both and watching you enjoy yourselves. We had so much fun and it didn’t matter if we were: sitting on the deck having coffee, celebrating New Years in Virginia, hanging out in Disney World wearing your Snoop Dog pants and Mr. Hanky shirt, enjoying a Pow Wow and learning about our heritage, heading down to North Carolina to enjoy family and hang out under our old oak tree telling jokes and having a ball. I can go on and on. It’s clear, I miss you Poppa Bear. Every day I awake, I am thinking of you and the joy we shared. I keep thinking the phone will ring or I will be visiting or you and mom will be coming up to explore more fun. Whether it’s Native American Indian Music or Marvin Gaye, when I hear it I realize Your are still with me in everything I do.

Thank you for loving me and for sharing so many unforgettable times.

You will forever be missed.

Forever in my heart and soul,

Stephanie Renita Thompson Mullin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWuUG_3EcTY

Two days before Pop-pops's 80th birthday (on July 21st) my Mom sent me an email with a song heavy on her heart. Knowing he was now home with Hospice Care and what that actually meant she thought it would be something beautiful to present for his going home service. 

She asked if it was normal to be thinking of this; the beauty of Pop-pop's passing was that it wasn't a surprise and that we had time to say our goodbyes, plan, and to continue to get to know him and spend time with him.

When mom sent me the song I knew exactly what it was having learned to dance it and performed it in the past. I thought it was a perfect idea as I could illustrate its meaning through dance. One problem, it has been quite some time since I had danced it and I needed a refresher. I actually wanted to dance it for Pop-pop one last time...

I listened to the song over and over trying to remember the dance, each time it made me sad and I would sing it and end up crying the whole song through. Even though I knew the end was near it was still painful to think about it and the meaning of the song.

With all that was going on I was not able to make it to the studio for a refresher until August 3rd (almost two weeks later). I had not seen my fellow dancers since before Pop-pop was in the hospital back in late May/ early June. It was hard to enter the room and explain why I wanted to refresh this older song.  I was greeted with hugs from the owners of the studio. The Praise Hula class was about to start. I explained my reason for this special request. We opened up the class with a prayer and jumped right into 'I Can Only Imagine'; It came right back to me.

I had spent the night before by Pop-pop's side, held his hand in mine as he struggled for each breath. I knew his time was close but he was still doing relatively well. He recognized my voice, was responsive, and still had a mighty grip. After a restless night I went about my Saturday but first stopped at the studio for the song. Something felt very strange all day, but I just put it to exhaustion and stress. I called to check in on him and Syd later that evening.

It was 11PM or so and I was so hungry, usually I would just go to sleep but something made me get up to eat. I finally was able to go to sleep around midnight. An hour passed, I missed 3 phone calls and a text and a few calls to my husbands phone before we were able to actually wake up (remarkably only a span of 5 minutes).

Pop-pop had passed. There was peace. I now knew why I was supposed to eat so late as I made my drive to Nana's house. And now every time I hear the song now a smile comes to my face. 

I can only Imagine....

-Lil' Steph

"I Can Only Imagine"

I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk
By your side

I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When your face
Is before me
I can only imagine

[Chorus:]
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine

I can only imagine
When that day comes
And I find myself
Standing in the Son

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever
Forever worship You
I can only imagine

[Chorus]

I can only imagine [x2]

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever, forever worship you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xwzItqYmII