Her love was so true and the elements so mixed in her that all can say that :this was a true friend.
We can shed tears that she is gone or we can smile because she has lived...... We can  remember her only that she's gone or we can cherish her memory and let it live on......
we can cry and close our minds, be empty and turn our backs or we can do what she"d want: smile, open our eyes, love and go on......

My dear Vivian, I wanted to see you again .
I"m glad you showed me all those lovely places in Atlanta and even getting me to know Philly,my  home.
 You will forever be in my heart.
May you rejoice before your maker.!
 Live on in glory!
.   

God's Gift to Me

God’s gift to me, that’s what you are.
Your infectious smile lights up my world,
Your strong presence is a force to be reckoned with,
Even in your absence I hear your resounding laughter,
Yes, you are God’s gift to me.

You teach me to love,
When I do not think it is possible.
You make the ultimate sacrifice,
You lay down your life,
Your convenience, all you have, for others.
“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends,”
This you did for me and my family,
Yes, you are God’s gift to me.

You inspire me to reach the unreachable, to think the unthinkable and to dream the impossible.
With you there are no limits,
You challenge me with your profound wisdom.
With tales of your worldly travels,
You usher me to places I have never before embarked-
Acapulco, Cancun, San Diego, Paris
Through my imagination I’ve seen them all because of you,
Yes, you are God’s gift to me.

You see the very best in me,
When others doubt you believe,
When others discourage, you encourage,
When others flatter you get straight to the point,
Yes, you are God’s gift to me.
I prayed that God would grant you peace by relieving your pain,
He answered by taking back His gift to me,
I cried, but amidst the tears I realized,
The best gift is the privilege of knowing you,
And a greater gift still awaits for the time we will meet again,
Heaven smiled on me the day you walked into my life,
And now I smile knowing that because you accepted the gift of God’s son, Jesus Christ,
You are forever in His presence, healed and restored.
I cannot wait to behold you, my precious Auntie Vivian,

For forever, you are God’s gift to me.

Words can't express the significance and impact you have had on my life. My other mother... You were so supportive and believed in my dreams. You taught me about compassion, hard work, self-love, proper etiquette, to try new things, to see the world, to enjoy food, to value people, unconditional love... You did so much for me and my family and gave so much of yourself - without a second thought. I don't know what I did to deserve you, but I thank God for the blessing that is you. It is no mistake that I use "is" and not "was" because I believe that you are still with me and guiding me. I feel your presence in everything that I do. I still want to make you proud. And I hope that you knew, when you left this earth, how much you mean in my life and how much I love you. I miss you all the time, but I have peace in knowing that you are free. I know you are exactly where you are supposed to be...still an Angel, now with wings...

Vivian and my Mom, Helen, met at the Bowen Center.  An instant friendship developed.  They enjoyed doing some of the same things and thus began their friendship.  Through the Bowen Center, they went on many trips which included Harrah's Casino in Cherookee NC, and the casino in Shorter Alabama.  The senior center in Riverdale was also a favor spot for the two friends.  They went with the center on many day trips, to apple picking orchards, the Black Circus, and other places of interest.  Vivian would go with us to church programs, luncheons and any event that we would attend.  On SAturday's Vivian would pick up my Mom and off they would go shopping, from one mall to another, stopping for lunch, and maybe ending up with dinner.  They would always come home with at least one bag.  One time they got lost coming home and they called me for directions..what a night..When my Mom got sick, I needed someone to spend a few hours with her in the morning..her good friend Vivian came over spent the night so she could take care of her friend.,  That was the type of  person and friend Vivian was.   After Mom's passing, Vivian and I stayed in touch and she would come over to the house to visit and keep me updated on happenings at the center.  We would get together after the  Christmas holiday because most of the time she went home to visit relatives.  This year when I called and didn't get an answer I became worried, since I knew she would always call me back.  Thus began my visits to the hospital when I heard she was ill.  The last time I saw her was the week after Easter.  I will always remember Vivian, and the friend she was to my Mom and me.  She bacame part of our family.  She is at peace now  and traveling around up in Heaven with her friend,