Dear Nana,

I definitely miss you this year as I finish up school. I’ve learned a lot in the last year about myself and I wish I could share it with you. I feel like I feel your presence a lot so thanks if you’ve been helping out. I miss just hanging out on flower street but I’m thankful for the memories. Until next year

Love,

Dani

Dear Nana,

I remember when I visited with my Air Force uniform on when I was a freshman at the Academy. It’s kind of bothered me that I haven’t been able to wear anything like that since then. I think you’d be happy to see me in my student white coat. Only one more year and I’ll have my real white coat. I don’t know if you’re watching over me, but I’m finally having a little better luck with the ladies. Until next year

Love,

Dani

What I regret most is not knowing your kindness better. I always knew you had a good heart and a desire to make people laugh and enjoy your company. But I missed out really spending time with you. I am deeply sorry Nana!! Love you 

Dear Nana,

Sorry I wasn't able to write last year. Life is so different now. I wish you could see the new life I'm living. The girls are finally starting to notice me like you said they would. I'm 30 now and still no grandkids from me. I'm trying to do the right thing and focus on school. I miss the family in Rochester. It's not the same without you and Granny.. Until next year

Love,

Dani

Dear Nana,

Just last night I was thinking about how much I miss family in Rochester. I’ve been doing well professionally, but I miss being able to visit you every weekend.

Each time I visited Nana’s house it was like a magical experience. Coming down the street I knew happiness was around the corner. Walking up the ramp to your door I was always so excited. I can still hear your voice answering when I would ring the old door bell.

Coming inside i would always smell the incense. It wasn’t like Granny’s house that had the mothball smell. The TV was always on and I’d always head right into the living room after giving you a hug.

That’s another thing I miss. Hugging you was so warm. I miss your laugh and your warmth. I’m starting to laugh more on a daily basis and I’m sure that’s a part of you that still lives in me.

I’m still waiting on this line of girls coming after me that you kept telling me about. Hopefully I’ll experience that someday soon.

I wish you were around for the last few years of my life to share some of your wisdom. Can you say hello in my dreams or send a sign or two?

Until next year,

Love,

Dani

Dear Elaine,
I wish I could tell you all this on the phone: that I think you are the most optimistic person I’ve known, that I think that you gave us so much of what you had, like smiling and caring. You were a mom to us and I wish I could be standing in your kitchen and listen to your stories that broke my heart. Yet you laughed and laughed... and it was all good! Rest now and know you’re loved!! Liz

Hey mom, what can I say? I truly miss you. You taught me alot. All of the time we spent from childhood to manhood it is deeply missed and appreciated. Singing together made it all right everyday no matter what was going on. You kept smiling and told me to keep praying. Mom I LOVE YOU SO SO MUCH....Love Marsellis

Thanksgiving time will always remind me of the pain I felt when I heard that you were no longer with us. It will always be like this, memories of you when you were with me on the phone or when we went to the buffet together like a big happy family. It is funny how we remember these happily but when we are actually living it, they don't feel that special. I miss you Elaine and I understand you better as I get older. We'll meet again, I am sure of that. Love, your "Liz".

Hey Nana,

Life is a lot different now than before. I’m still trying to figure the ladies out. I was talking to a girl about Sunny D the other day. It reminded me of when I used to come over and you would always have some for me. My father didn’t like it but it tasted so good . I miss your laugh and giving you hugs. Thanks for the happy memories.

Elaine has left us all with a deep longing to see her beautiful smile, hear her talk like she understands our pain and joy. Her kindness and love for her mom, Odessa, gave us an example that we never forget. I think of her very often and her memory gives me strength and optimism. Thank you Elaine with love, from your "Liz".

Hey Nana, I miss you. I'm glad you got to see me in my uniform before you left. I know it made you proud. I'm hoping I can wear a uniform again. I remember you told me in high school there would be a day when the girls wouldn't stop calling. I'm 25 and it still hasn't happened but I trust you. I'm hoping your memory continues to guide me and I can still hear your laugh in my memories. Miss you Nana. 

With love,

Dani

Hello mom I miss you so much, and thank God for you all the time. You taught me alone to love and I thank you for sharing this with me. I'm glad that you were finally happy for me with the love of my life and giving me your blessing and telling me that everything will be alright just hang in there and do not give up, mom thanks again I love you so much and missing you.
Son Marsellis Thomas

It's like someone takes my heart and squeezes it. It hurts with the feeling of imcomplete goodbyes. Elaine took up residence in my heart and I will always ask her to stay there. Keep me company and friendship as she always did. Missing her dearly....
Elizabeth

GM, mom I miss you so much and thank God for you and all that you gave me with your love and wisdom.  It's just like yesterday us talking on Sunday just laughing, I miss that and seeing you again will be a great joy to my heart.  I love you mom.

Marsellis

To my mother "Cookie" Happy Mother's Day!!!! You are truly missed....I Love You So Much!!!

Marsellis

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!!

I'm so happy today that the love that you shared to our family was such a great anchor in my life. I want to say thank you and (dad)Wil for all that you have given to each of us. 

~Happy Birthday~

Hello mom, its the day before your's and dad birthday. It's just like yesterday that we were in the house all together laughing. You mom, Wil(dad), Chinitta and Jr sitting at the kitchen table watching t.v. and eating dinner. I miss you so so so much.....

I love you mom....Marsellis

Mom, I miss you so much. It's just like yesterday when we were talking on the phone laughing. You will be forever missed, but not forgotten....

Love Your Son,

Marsellis Thomas

Hello Mom, today is 12/2/14 and I'm thinking of you and how you Chinitta Dad and Jr we all used to go to church together and you and dad played and sung every Sunday. I just wanted you to know as you can see from up there in Heaven that I've been living your prayers out down here on earth that you prayed over my life from your very womb. I'm playing the drums in church and singing each Sunday. Mom I love you so much and miss you, dad, Chinitta and Grandma so so so much.. Until later, I love you mom...Marsellis

Hello Mom, I miss you so, so , much the pain I feel in my heart I cannot explain. Since you've been gone I have not been the same, waking up to call you each morning before I went to work and now, I don't have that. But, I thank you for making me the "Strong Man" that you have made me. Thank you for being my mother I love you. God did hear your prayers! I love you mom............Marsellis

It is almost Thanksgiving and Elaine's memory did not fade as we all get together with our family members. I miss hearing Elaine's stories of her beloved family that grew to many, over the years. Elaine would be happy to know that we are thinking of her beautiful smile and wish we could share our stories with her. Love, Elizabeth and Dani.

It is hard to believe that Elaine was not here with us for one year already. I missed her smile and sweet voice so often and now today, all the pain of the memory I experienced just a year ago are flooding back. Elaine was a unique woman as she was both a child and an adult. She was both serious and funny and made the best Southern fried chicken. I hear your laughs and see your smiles....

Hey ma! You always have been there for the family and you never let us down. I thank you and dad for giving me life. I wish you could be here now, but know I'm going to be a better man and I'm going to carry out your wish. I love you and I will see you again. I love you mom!

Mom the pain is so deep, your my everything I will always keep your memory alive. I love you. Your son Marsellis

Elaine dedicated her entire life to the well-being of her husband, parents, daugher and sons. Her selfless and good nature made a lasting impression on everyone she met. She protected and prayed for every stranger she came across. She will be remembered and dearly missed by many. In face of adversity she would smile and say "one day at a time". Thank you Elaine for all you've done for us.