It is going to be a hard day to not have you here for us all to wish you Happy Mother's day. You have shown us what it means to be an amazing mother and give so much love. I hope you can see us all and know that you are being missed. I have such a hole in my heart from your absence but I try to fill it with great memories of you. I miss you mom.

Today Ludy was laid to rest with her eternal life partner and best friend, Steve. As I reflect on a life well loved and well lived, I thought this poem was super appropriate for the legacy Ludy would want to be carried out. 

Rest in peace, Ludy. Until we meet again. xoxo

Afterglow by Helen Lowrie Marshall:
I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one.
I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.
I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways.
Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.
I'd like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun.
Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.

I will truly miss you Ludy! You are a true friend to the end. You were there for me for hugs & pep talks letting me know I would be ok in time after losing my true love, Dan. I miss you waiting past your appt time just to get to c me at our nail/hair appts. You had a knack for making ppl feel good about themselves, you were a true ray of sunshine! I luv you dearly my friend!! R.I.P!!

Thinking of you tonight, Ludy. Hopefully you are having fun up in heaven with Steve. I'm thinking you all had one of your famous barbeques tonight with all of the fixings. I was telling Ally about you and Steve's famous Sunday dinners today. No one ever left the house without a hearty "to-go" bag!! We miss you and are hoping you're still able to play your favorite "slot machine" games up there!
Love,
Kristy

While I have many great memories of the kind, thoughtful, beautiful person Ludy was my favorite is the time we spent together in Las Vegas celebrating the wedding of Erik and Kristy. Walking down the strip with her beloved Steve she was happy with the world and in a place she loved. Watching her play a slot machine at the Flamingo, hair perfect, jewelry perfectly matched to her outfit and smiling ear to ear it made me happy just watching her! Surrounded by family and friends was her favorite place to be. I’m so thankful to have those wonderful memories of her. Forever in the hearts of so many.

Ludy-

May you rest in peace. We will miss you so much, but know you are living the good life up in heaven with Steve. I bet you are both riding in the purple van, casino hopping as we speak!! I remember you telling me when I first married Erik that you "wouldn't be the overbearing mother in law, and you would let me make mistakes and learn from them." I always appreciated that about you. Your love of the casino, Home Shopping Network and jewelry will always stay fresh in my mind. Haha! And your skin. You had the most beautiful skin I have ever seen. People would pay THOUSANDS of dollars for your beautiful skin! I have so many fun stories/memories, I would like to share a few!  I remember once, we were over at the house and you received 4 packages from HSN in like 30 minutes! We were laughing SO hard and Erik was like...."Dang mom, how many more packages are there?!?!" One of my other favorite memories was when we were all singing karaoke at the house. You were singing and Lo, Mo, and I were your back up dancers! I don't think I have ever laughed so hard!!! I also remember our great Vegas trips. I loved watching you and Erik walk down the strip together and Steve and I would always comment that you both had the exact same walk. I remember your "cool" jeans with your stylish boots and your awesome purses. You always had the "coolest" cross body bags:-) I also remember all of our Sunday dinners. We would walk up the driveway and you would say to me, "hey kid- I got your noodles ready for you." You always remembered my noodles. Ludy, you are leaving us far too soon. We will miss you tremendously. Your tenderness, your giving spirit, and your jolly nature. We promise to take care of things down here, and you and Steve take care of things up in heaven. Rest easy, Ludy, you will be missed beyond words.