Toye Adelaide Long

Been thinking about you since the new year came and went... I wish I could turn back time and love you like an even better son.i count my lucky stars that you chose me as your adopted son. I mean really lucky! Pushing me into welding school at a young age, which would open the door to so many good tidings. You were so smart. I love you, and can't wait to climb in your lap again when God calls me home...

Grandma-
Happy Birthday! I hope you are dancing and drinking some wine with Grandpa in Heaven. I've missed you every day you have been gone. i know you hear me talking to you regularly and I promise I won't ever stop. we had a very special relationship  me and you spoke of regularly.  I miss my other half to that bond. No one can replace you in my heart or in my life. i wish their were more people like you in the world, strong but loving and affectionate. I wish you were here to hold my hand thr life. Mom misses you so much too! She and I were talking earlier about how much we miss you. You loved her like a daughter and she loved you like a mother! Please come visit me in my dreams again, they are the best dreams by far! Kias grandpa for me! i love you so much!

                                                           HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR MOTHER!

   I`ve been lonely since you left us some 11 years ago. People said the pain would subside over the years, but it still hurts like yesterday! Anyway... it`s your special day today! The day God granted you life to enjoy this world, and make the lives of people you came in contact with... better! And you did! Mine to be exact, and your other two sons also. Picking us from uncertain lifetimes, and adopting us and always loving us as your own! I`m so greatful, and hope the other two are as well. 
 
   You were such a great mother. And although i`m older now, and my mind has forgotten exactly what we did for your birthdays other than parties at the house, I`m so sure dad spared no expense spoiling you! For you were the love of his life, till his days were no more and once again you two joined hands in Heaven. And you were and still are the love of my life, and that of so many others. Most aren`t sentimental like a couple of us, but they love you in their own way. And our family could really use you right now, but alas we will have to find our own way. 

   Happy Birthday mom... be blessed on your special day.... and give dad a hug for me too....

Well Merry Christmas mom... And dad... Another year has come and gone. Another year of missing your voice, and kisses, and hugs. I remembered today while watching the grandkids open presents, how Jim and I were so spoiled when Christmas time came. How you would give us the Sears Roebuck catalog, and tell us to circle what we wanted, and write down the page number so you and dad could review them and buy them. How spoiled was that! Hahaha... You guys.... You were such loving parents! We love you, not just me, everyone that knew you guys. Our family has done nothing but struggle since you left. I wish you could come back and glue us all back together again... But we shall push on until we meet again, and I can get those hugs and kisses again. 

Ill keep you in that special corner of my heart until then....

Love always.... John 

Grandma,

I recently got a new job and I love it here.  We had a workshop retreat and part of the retreat was letting people get to know you.  We had an assignment where we had to share with our group a box that we decorated that had several item inside representing who we are now.  I had a hard time trying to decide what to and what not to put in my box... but i knew immediately the perfect box to use was one of your old jewelry boxes.  It not only represents you and all our memoies but it also represents how I am sentimental to items that remind me of people i love.  I remember how we use to go pull out your jewelry boxes and bags and sit on the bed and you would pull every piece out and tell me a story behind each piece...even the pieces that were costume..they had a story.  I cant even count how many times we did this because it was so often in my life but its one of favorite memories with you...listening you tell me stories and spending time with you. When i pulled the box down it still has odd and ends like picture of grandpa, a cross from st. michaels, your baby picture...the second i opened it ..all i wanted to do was have you there to sit with me and tell me stories. So on my retreat day, instead of a cardboard box i brought your jewelry box and started my story about who Charlene is with why i brought my Grandmas jewelry box...the biggest reason is because you were and still are so much of my heart. I miss you so much! Thank you for such wonderful moments and great memories.
love, char

I REMEMBER THE WAY THE BREAKFAST SMELLED IN THE MORNING. ARE TALKS THAT WE USED TO HAVE OR EVEN YOUR LAUGHS. I MISS THE SMELL YOU HAD. IT WAS A SMELL OF HEAVEN AND LOVE. WHEN I LOST YOU A BIG PART OF ME DIED INSIDE AS WELL. IT HAS BEEN VERY HARD FOR ME TO THINK OF YOU CAUSE EVERY TIME I DO  CRY. I KNOW THAT YOU WOULD WANT ME TO BE STRONG AND KNOW THAT YOU ARE WATCHING OVER ME. U MISSED ME HAVING A BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER THAT I KNOW U WOULD HAVE LOVED AND SHE WOULD HAVE LOVED YOU. I HATE MYSELF FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO TELL YOU GOOD BYE. TO KISS YOU OR TOUCH YOU ONE LAST TIME BEFORE U WERE GONE. U WERE ALWAYS PROUD OF ME NO MATTER WHAT LIFE THROUGH AT ME. U GAVE ME HOPE TO BE A BETTER PERSON. I MISS SITTING BY YOU AND IN CHURCH AND LEANING OVER TO ME SAYING " WHAT DID HE SAY I CAN'T HEAR HIM. AND LAUGH." WHEN I GO TO CHURCH NOW I CRY FOR YOU. EVERYTHING REMINDS ME OF YOU. I MISS BEING AT YOUR HOUSE AND HAVING HOLIDAYS THERE OF JUST STOPPING BY TO TELL YOU I LOVE YOU. I REMEMBER THE AY U WOULD STAND OUT SIDE AND WAVE TO ME UNTIL I WAS GONE OUT OF SITE. I STILL GO BY THERE WISHING THAT YOU WERE OUT SIDE. BUT ALL I SEE IS OTHER PEOPLE LIVING THERE AND IT KILLS ME NOT TO SEE YOU AND TO KNOW THAT AS A LITTLE GIRL I GREW UP THERE. I DON'T TELL ALOT OF PEOPLE MY FEELINGS. I MOSTLY KEEP THEM INSIDE AND HIDE THEM. BUT THE TRUTH IS I MISS YOU MORE THAN ANYTHING. I WISH I COULD JUST SMELL YOU AND TOUCH YOU ONE MORE TIME. I WOULD CALL YOUR ANSWERE MACHINE OVER AND OVER JUST TO HEAR YOUR VOICE. I HAVE ALOT OF PAIN INSIDE AND YOU KNOW IT BUT ALOT OF PEOPLE DON'T. ONE DAY I WILL MEET YOU AGAIN AND SEE YOU. THAT SMELL WILL COME BACK AND I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOUR FACE AGAIN. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH THAT I FEEL GUILTY CAUSE I WASNT HERE TO BE BESIDE YOU. BUT I KNOW THAT YOU ARE WATCHING OVER ME AND YOUR GREAT GRANDAUGHTER EVERYDAY. YOU ARE AND ALWAYS WILL BE MY ANGEL... I LOVE YOU GRANDMA.

                                                                              YOUR JENNY POO-POO

I

You know when people tell you it gets easier over time, they dont mean it they just dont know what to tell you.  You were there for me and understood me when many didnt. You opened your heart and spoke your mind. You knew when people were lying to you but loved them enough to not let them know. You are one of the greatest women that I knew and everyday is harder than the day before. Its another day I dont have you. People are scared to talk about you because it brings back memories of you not there. When I got visit Grandpa its so hard for me, he sees something in me like a familiarity that he doesnt see in others that allows him to open up and talk about you to me.  I miss you so much and think about you every single day. I wasnt ready fo ryou to go...you werent ready to go... I had a wedding with out you and it was the hardest thing I ever had to do...to have no grandparents at my wedding. I know you were there in spirit ...I could feel you. I chose to get married at St.Michaels for you and I never told anyone that....it was for you. I LOVE YOU AND WILL SEE YOU IN HEAVEN and in my Dreams.

Just wanted you to know that I`m doing my best to take care of dad till he comes to be with you . He`s doing well, although the lonliess still eats at his heart. but his health is good and I keep him in peanut butter. I remember you telling me... that your biggest concern if you died before him... was what would happen to him. Sometimes the kids go to see him although not often, but I think they get really sad, so they don`t go as often as they should. They should try walking in my shoes. I order his medicine and keep his phone,cable, and rent payed. His clothes clean, insurance payed,income taxes. And go see him at least once a week to give him some love, take him for a haircut or ice cream. Maybe to lunch or dinner. He`s 88 now you know... we sure miss you mom........ we sure miss you......... I sure miss you.....