Gigi Virgie…

We remember you, we miss you and we love you! Though you are missed here, we know you are in a far better place. We are so happy you are no longer in pain. You are in the arms of our Heavenly Father – rejoicing in an eternity with Him.

As we spoke of your death, Joel and Olivia listened. We explained where your soul is now. When Poppy (your son, their grandfather) shared at your memorial he used sea shells to illustrate that our bodies are only our shells. So when we leave our “shells” behind, our hearts go to be with Jesus….

I heard the kids talking in the car – Joel and Olivia with their cousin Cole. They chatted how Gigi died, but they would see you again “when we’re with Jesus”.

A your grand-daughter-in-law (though I never felt separate because of my “in-law” status) I want to thank you for the heritage of belief in God you grew in your children. That seed you planted has bloomed a tree of faith not only in your children, but your grandchildren and now great-grandchildren. My family is blessed by that chioce you made to serve the Lord, and that is the richest thing you could have ever left behind.
Thank you for your sacrifices and hard work. Thank you for working hard to maintain connectedness though the miles apart could have separated. Your early morning birthday phone calls will be missed (like Paul’s birthday today). I will especially miss your giggle and reassuring pats on the shoulder. Also, as a girl from California, your Oklahoma accent has spiced up my ear for words cafe and my own name! Joel noticed at the viewing that you didn’t have your glasses on – he missed that about you…
I want you to know, when all the family got together – we laughed. We cried some too, but I know you loved it most when we all laughed and loved – together… and we sure did that