Dear Mom,

It is almost Christmas, another Christmas without you and now without Pat and Barry. Barry went into the hospital on Christmas last year and never came home. I continue to grieve for you and Barry and Pat. It seems it will never end. I so enjoyed buying presents for you, Mom. You were just the best about getting gifts and so grateful and it gave you such joy. I miss that. I wish things had been different and that I could have kept you with me. I think you would stiff be with us and I can tell you that I would have done everything to have you still with us. Merry Christmas in heaven, mom. You have Barry and Pat there with you now, and dad and Grandma and Grandpa Brooks, Aunt Blanche and Uncle Willie, Aunt Louise. I wrote this poem.  It's called I'll Bet You Didn't Know. I hope you like it. I wrote it for Barry because he called me every day and he always told me he loved me and he always took care of me when we were out, even though he was in much worse shape than me. I swore I would go before him, but he fooled me and he went first.

I'll Bet You Didn't Know

I’ll bet you didn’t know that when you told me you loved me just now, I desperately needed to hear that.

I’ll bet you didn’t know that when you waited on me and gave me your hand because I don’t walk so well anymore, I really needed the touch of your hand more than the support, but both were most welcome.

I’ll bet you didn’t know that at night when I say my prayers, I am so tired I fall asleep before I finish, but I always pray for those I love most first to be sure and get them in.

I’ll bet you didn’t know that most of my life I have been a caretaker of others, so that your caring for me is almost like a miracle.

I’ll bet you didn’t know that if God calls me home tomorrow, though I am ready, I will be sad to leave you but I will be waiting when you come home.

Merry Christmas in heaven, Mom. Kiss everyone for me and give them a hug. I hope I see you soon. I am ready to be with you all.

I am so sorry that I never had the opportunity to know Leona Coons, except through her daughter, who spoke so lovingly and at length about her beautiful mom.Over the years, I came to feel that I knew Leona very well indeed!  Perhaps that is the best legacy any mom could wish for...to leave behind children who are loving, caring, responsible adults and in Glenda Findley, Ms. Leona raised a champion. Glenda was everything any mom could wish for and held the memories of her family members close to her heart always. I know that someday I will meet Leona in person and I look forward to that wonderful experience as surely it will be a homecoming for us all. Until then, rest in peace, dear lady, and know how much  you are loved by those you left behind.