Poems For Funerals

When it's time to say goodbye, A Gift of Poetry

is a truly special way of expressing your

innermost thoughts and feelings.

(Here's a good example of what can be achieved. Daniel has kindly given his permission for his poem and story to be published)

Night Mom. God Bless.

What is your name : Daniel

Who do you want the poem written for: mother, Betty

Why do you want the poem written: she passed away December 25, 2005 8:15am

What style of poem would you prefer (happy, sad, romantic etc.): celebrate her life -- both ups and downs

Please choose which package you would prefer : Economy

Would you like a copy of the handwritten drafts : No

What are the key messages you would like to send: a woman of strong and fine character, product of humble beginnings but strong values -- honesty, faithfulness, caring, nurturing, family but also strong willed and firm in her beliefs -

Do you have any funny, sad, happy, embarrassing or otherwise memorable moments that you would like to share: 1) Mom grew up in a very small village in illinois - Matherville a coal mining town maybe 30 homes and a general store today.  the youngest of 5 - 3 older brothers, an older sister - Smokey, Ollie, Mocco and Louise widowed mother from Sweden - Mamie.  Born 1925, as a school girl was embarrassed by poor dress that other kids laughed at her, plus living above a store with a mother who scrubbed floors. She worked at the rock island arsenal durign WWII as a tool maker -- then after moving to arizona worked for he Forset service and then the Interior department.  Mom had 3 kids, Ron, Dan and Bob. divorced in 1958, in 1961 moved them all to Arizona in  '53 chevy, accomplished a lot - bought a home -- met a man Eugene Otte and married in 1969 - less than a week after the birth of her first grandchild Kevin.  Married 16 years to a man who loved her and whom she loved.  when approaching retirement welcomed into her home step-daughter and 4 childrens when they had no place else to go -- nurtured them --
Do you have any other comments or thoughts : Mom had alzheimers -- the past few years she steadily declined -- hard to know what she knew and did not know about hat was going on around her.

Thank you - my battery went dead on B'berry - but charging now.  Funeral is friday 11am.  I have been thinking about theme of eulogy - main items - strength of character, courage, values and family.  Major points - grwoing up with adversity (depression, widowed swedish mother, ) was a crucible which gave her strength and values... Strength to move across the country single mom, and replant roots, values - caring for friends and nurture of family, sons, daughters,  nephews, nieces, grand children.

Want to conclude that mom was lucky in love, 36 years with eugene, secret - its not the guy with charm, or jaguar, or money - turn love can be the guy with a zippered suit and a bowling ball in his hands.

Did not complete the thought -- love, true love is the guy who will care for you when you do not know, could not know -- who wants you to stay, be at home at the end so he can comfort you can care for you to the end.
 

Night Mom. God Bless.

Where on Earth could you possibly begin,
to tell of one glorious life's story?
So few lines, so few words, so little time,
how to fill a page with love and glory?

You see, Mom passed away on Christmas Day,
a day when most celebrate a fine birth,
now that day will always be sadness tinged,
the day Betty Mae chose to leave this Earth.

But let us not be sad, let us be glad,
as in death, as in life, we celebrate,
for endings create new beginnings,
there's a few other things I'd like to state:

Because Betty was a very strong woman,
strong in character, in values and mind,
from a humble start, she grew straight and true,
determined but ever, ever so kind.

Honest, faithful, caring and nurturing,
and yes, I'll admit, she could be strong willed,
but she came a long way from Matherville,
she gave us values on which we can build.

From poor beginnings and a widowed mom,
to marrying Eugene in sixty nine,
she accomplished a lot, with so much love,
I'm just glad that some of that love was mine.

She was married to a man who loved her,
and I know Eugene, she loved you right back,
and you cared for her, to the very end,

that kindness will be repaid down the track.

Love, true love, is the guy who really cares,
even when you know nothing, when life's at it's end,
Eugene, you were there for Mom, all the way,
thanks for being Mom's true and lifelong friend.

Mom had a tough start but a gentle finish,
I like to think she forget her difficult years,
but the adversity became her crucible,
became the forge that dried her many tears.

Gave her the strength to move across country,
a single mom with us three kids in tow,
replanted firm roots, reinstalled values,
she gave us more than you will ever know.

As it's not the guy with charm or the jag,
and these are words we now all understand,
because you see love comes dressed in a one piece jump suit,
with maybe a bowling ball in his hand.
 

So, I'd like to finish by looking skywards,
and thinking of Mom in the heavens above,
happy in the knowledge she met Eugene,
because for 36 years, they shared their love.

And over the years that love grew and spread,
and MY! Just look how that oak has grown,
so we: Ron, Bob, Janeene, Charlene, Karen and Jorge

say "THANK YOU",

we're very grateful for all the love that you've shown.
 

Mom, you always supported your Grandchildren,

Kevin, Eric, Jennifer, Steven, Rebecca, Rachel, Sara, Tamara

and Jessica were all buoyed by your admiration,

but you also gave us all so very much,

no, you never missed a Graduation. 

So Mom, we have so much to thank you for,
you've shown us the real meaning of happiness,
so now, please rest easy, you've deserved it,
sleep tight, night Mom. God Bless.

Copyright Allen Jesson :o) 2005

 www.agiftofpoetry.com

Dan kindly replied:

"Funeral was Saturday.  Thank you for your help with this -- it struck a chord with the audience -- rapt attention.  I will be going on your site now to arrange for payment."