by christratton on 21 Jul 2007, 07:17
Norma Jean Reynolds (Abeyta, Stratton, Walter), b. 7/28/1947, d. 1/27/1997, far too soon. Momma, I still love you and miss you, Dear. You are ever in my heart, ever with me. In the years after we lost you, Mom, one of the many things I realized I loved best about you, in the shock and muddle and grief that attended our loss of you, was the full-throated, nay, full-bodied, exhilirated way you laughed, laughed like no other, Mother Dear, at my many and various stupid, goofy jokes. We had fun with fried chicken and made Friday night at the grocery the main social event of the week, did you and I and Sabrina and John and Terry. I will always cherish the memory of those times and so many more, Dear Norma Jean, mysterious, multifaceted mother of mine, and Molly, and Sabrina and little John (no longer little, by a long shot!).
O.D. "Uncle Toadfrog" Reynolds, b. 7/27/1915, d. 7/9/79. Grandpa, I loved you, you were the light in the eyes of so many, none moreso than I. More fun than a barrel full of monkeys, were you. The last long vacation we took together before your departure from this earth gave me memories which I will carry with me always, and how could I ever forget the oatmeal fight you and I had when I was about two, and you were a two year-old in a 53 year-old body?
Carolyn Stratton, d. 5/22/2007, loyal wife to my father of over 20 years, died at 71 of lung cancer. You were tough, smart, caring and honest. You were not the tenderest person, but you made sure those near and dear to you got and heard what they needed. You were deeply wise.
Virginia Johnson, d. 6/27/2007, beloved "Aunt" to me and my sis, dear friend to my father and mother of many decades, mother to Mark and Dan and Dave and loving, loyal wife for life to our Dear Uncle Jim, fiery political leader of strong and strongly held beliefs, joined at the hip to your husband who was cut from the same cloth, both of you true and honest and loyal to what your heart and your heritage taught you. You and I disagreed strongly on some issues of major importance, but your love for me and mine for you, Dear Aunt Virginia, burned bright and true and steady through it all, and that's what matters the most.
Requiescat in pacem.
-Christopher
Every day, to myself I say,
Point the way, what would it be?
I ask myself what's the best thing for you,
And myself and I seem to agree,
That the best thing for you would be me. ...
