As usual, I'm always late for your birthday, but never forgetting you on that day.  I was in Michigan with no internet, visiting with Alyssa.  A newspaper article prompted me to share this poem with another lady named Diana that passed before her time:

God saw you getting tired

When a cure was not to be

So he closed his arms around you,

And whispered, "Come to Me."

In tears, we saw you sinking,

We watched you fade away,

Our hearts were almost broken,

You fought so hard to stay.

A golden heart stopped beating,

Your gentle hands at rest,

God broke our hearts to prove to us,

He only takes the best.

So keep your arms around her, Lord,

And give her special care.

Make up for all she suffered,

That seemed to us unfair.

So many times we've needed you,

So many times we've cried.

If love could have saved you,

You never would have died.

      I miss you so much, Love Susie  XOXOXO

When I graduated from eighth grade, I got letters from all of my family on the retreat. Of course I sat in my corner and cried my eyes out. But one letter made me laugh and cry, and was by far the best. It was from Grammy and she told me her favorite memory. I had been visiting her over the summer, and it had been a long day. Grammy wasn't feeling well and Dad was out grocery shopping, my job had always been to make Grammy laugh and be the quirky person I have always been. Grammy and I were upstairs and the doorbell rang. We had no idea who would be knocking on the door at that time of night. I went down and opened the door, Grammy close behind me. When I looked out, I saw noone. I turned to Grammy and said, "There's noone here but someone left you flowers." Grammy looked out the door and started laughing. Noone had brought her flowers it was just her plant, and the person knocking on the door had been my dad who had gotten locked out. Moments like these were few, but I still smile and laugh when I think of her.

My precious Diana, now with the angels after a brave battle.  I will forever remember her with fond childhood memories of playing greywolf, loving her new school clothes that she'd say I could borrow except they never fit or looked like they did on her.  Playing house and making furniture with cardboard boxes and picking vegetables from the garden to feed our dolls. In winter we would go sliding on the hill in the fields and had so much fun with her, John and Kay and Patti. I remember visiting her with friend June in Aurora, CO. as I drove cross country on my way to CA.  As years went by and we were miles apart, I looked forward to a Christmas card and said many a prayer for her.  I am comforted that she abides with Jesus in perfect peace till we meet again.

Grandma Diana always brought Destiny out for the summer. She loved getting Tanner and Destiny together. They loved spending time with her. We have a lot of good memories with her and we will never forget. She was a very special person in our lives and we will miss her very much. We love you Grammy.

I have precious memories of my cousin Diana. I was born 6 months before her and we lived within walking distance. My mother, Fannie, was a sister to Diana's mother, Clara. Fannie and Clara grew up in the Old Order Amish faith. Clara came to NH first and my mother followed her there which is a story in and of itself. They were so close all their lives and even worked together at times including a turkey processing plant and later on at the Bel-Air Nursing Home. So we cousins played together a lot. Diana and I would sit together on the school bus, and play together at recess. Every September in our elementary years, just a couple of days before school would start, we both were given Toni home permanents by our mothers. It was the popular thing to do to wear curls and our moms really fussed with our hair to make us pretty. I remember when we were going into the second grade, that the Toni home permanent did not come out right for Diana for whatever reason. Her hair just turned so frizzy and she was crying to me about that and said, "I look like Bozo the clown".  There was a program we watched that had a clown named Bozo. I felt so bad for her and after a while it worked itself out of her hair and she was able to look the way she liked. I also remember when she got a new tricycle and it was red and I wished so much I had one like that!  We used to take our dollies and their clothes and sit under the trees and play and play with them. We each went different directions as we got older and lost track of each other for a while. Then I received this wonderful visit from her and Tony several years ago in Goshen and what a great visit we had. They were driving through to NH and stopped by. I will never forget that. We were both part of a cousin letter that made the rounds which helped us keep in touch. When I learned of her illness, I was heartsick.  We had some of the most precious conversations in the last few months. I feel like I know all the family though I have not met many of you. She shared what was on her heart with me, and we would often cry together, and then laugh together, and also pray together. The last conversation we had, she was not in pain. She had received a book I sent her that helped her focus on heaven. She said she loved books like that. I told her in every conversation that she is my inspiration. We both knew that God had this plan for her life, and she accepted His will. Her faith grew and grew in this trial. Her love for her family will always live on and we can honor her memory by being strong in the faith, and carrying on the bright hope of that day when the Lord brings us together again. The night she departed for heaven, I was praying earnestly for the Lord to take her in a blessed way to comfort both her and her husband and son. I called my daughter Bonnie and asked her to keep praying with me.  Bonnie and Chris were praying at 10 PM and I was heading to bed when I looked up at the night sky and here was this one and only star I could see just twinkling. I thought of her then. The Lord tells us we shall shine like the stars of heaven. We often sang a child's him about believers: "they shall shine in their beauty, bright gems for His crown"  Now Diana is very much alive and with the Lord. God is good. God will help all of you as you go through this period of grief. Many,many are praying for all of you.  Until we meet at Jesus' feet,   Susan Mary Von Ins & 

I always admired your strength and tolerance and wished I could have had those genes passed along to me.  Amazingly, how different we both were!  But God decides to give us different talents to suit his purpose.  You did not suffer in vain!  I learned so much from you.  The pain and suffering you endured endlessly, day in and day out, reminded me of the cross and Jesus;  and the respect of the love He bore for us to die that way.  How wonderful for you, my precious sister, you are with Him now and no longer suffer!  I pray I am worthy to join you one day.

You said you would tell me when the time was near, and you did.  You sent a messenger to me two weeks ago.  Thank you for letting me know so I could say goodbye to you our last time on Saturday, the 13th, Susan Mary's birthday. 

I will work hard to be accepted to see you again, sis.  You and mother must be ultimately gratified to see each other again. 

Thank you for all the years of laughter, tears and joy that you have shared with Dad and Mom, John, me, sister Patti; your husband, Tony; and children, Jeff and Travis; and your grandchildren Danielle, Destiny and Tanner.  What a wonder you are!  You have enriched my life fully and I am honored to have been your sister and shared my childhood with you.  I know you have touched each and every life in our family and yours.  You gave 140% and never backed down from any obstacle.  You embraced us all with your love.  Princess Diana, I shall look forward to seeing you again.

Until Jesus unites us, Sister Susie

Dear Mom,

Even though I can't see you I know you are here and listening to what is being said. It is so sad to see you gone but it feels so good to know you no longer have to suffer all the pain. It was such a battle and you were such a soldier. There is no need for me to say sorry for anything I've done because with you it was already forgiven because that is what moms do. Just know your baby boy is working hard on changing and becoming a better man. You will always be in my heart wherever I go and whatever I do. I could never thank you enough for everything you have done. No matter what it took you always made sure your family was safe. So remember mom this is your day - no more worries because in heaven is where you stay. And I look forward to the day we meet again. I know you will be the first one waiting at the gate. I love you mom - today, tomorrow & until the end of time.

Your son,

Travis

Your granddaughter,

Danielle