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...
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| John Long | Happy New Year! | January 11, 2022 |
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...
| Char | Happy Birthday Grandma | March 31, 2016 |
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!
| Your baby boy! | Happy Birthday! | March 31, 2016 |
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....
| John | Christmas 2015 | December 25, 2015 |
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
| char | my box | August 17, 2014 |
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 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
| John | Our song... | May 11, 2014 |
Happy Mothers Day mom... Know that you`re never forgotten and we pray for you, and dad, daily and miss you so much... save me a seat next to you in Heaven for when I get there... This song, reminds me so much of you and our love for each other...
| char | until we are together again..we have memories | March 26, 2014 |
Grandma,
I have so many wonderful memories sometimes it hard to just pick one to write about. Growing up you were always there for me, loved me and supported me. I dont rely on many people, I guess I get it from you. I have learned to rely on myself because then I wont be disappointed. But before i learned that lesson, I knew I could always rely on you and my mom. There is a feeling that no one can really describe how it feels to have unconditional love and support and to know that person loves you so much you can rely on them. I always knew I could lean on you, be honest with you and you would never stop loving me even if i made a mistake..you helped me get up, let me cry and then helped me solve my problem. I love you so much for giving that to me as a child. I know it was hard for you to ask anyone for help when you started getting sick, but you knew you could ask me. I am happy that as independent at you are that you relied on me too. I am glad that I was home from college to be there to cook for you and Grandpa, to run errands, get your cats their shrimp, take you to appointments and all the other many things we didnt together. Even though they were errands they were all memories to me, because I would have done anything you asked anyday at anytime..because I wanted to give back to you the love you always gave me. I dont know why the Lord took you so soon from me...I still need my Grandma. Thank you for being my role model and one of the few i rely on. You were such an amazing wife, mom and grandma...I hope one day I can be even half of what you were. Thank you for the all the couch talks, lounging on the back porch, walking the neighborhood, strolling the backyard looking at plants, trips, cry sessions, crazy car rides, breakfast table chat, venting sessions, reading obits together, looking at pictures and trying on old jewelry and the stories behind them, the extra reading lessons, teaching me to sew, pouring me a glass of wine, the cantaloupe at swim practice, the plays and musicals, the college decisions...hugs, kisses and always believing in me. Thank you for giving me memories..and one day we will be together again..leaning on each other, relying on each other.
Forever and always missing you, Char.
P.S. Your bday is soon...I love yoU!
I have so many wonderful memories sometimes it hard to just pick one to write about. Growing up you were always there for me, loved me and supported me. I dont rely on many people, I guess I get it from you. I have learned to rely on myself because then I wont be disappointed. But before i learned that lesson, I knew I could always rely on you and my mom. There is a feeling that no one can really describe how it feels to have unconditional love and support and to know that person loves you so much you can rely on them. I always knew I could lean on you, be honest with you and you would never stop loving me even if i made a mistake..you helped me get up, let me cry and then helped me solve my problem. I love you so much for giving that to me as a child. I know it was hard for you to ask anyone for help when you started getting sick, but you knew you could ask me. I am happy that as independent at you are that you relied on me too. I am glad that I was home from college to be there to cook for you and Grandpa, to run errands, get your cats their shrimp, take you to appointments and all the other many things we didnt together. Even though they were errands they were all memories to me, because I would have done anything you asked anyday at anytime..because I wanted to give back to you the love you always gave me. I dont know why the Lord took you so soon from me...I still need my Grandma. Thank you for being my role model and one of the few i rely on. You were such an amazing wife, mom and grandma...I hope one day I can be even half of what you were. Thank you for the all the couch talks, lounging on the back porch, walking the neighborhood, strolling the backyard looking at plants, trips, cry sessions, crazy car rides, breakfast table chat, venting sessions, reading obits together, looking at pictures and trying on old jewelry and the stories behind them, the extra reading lessons, teaching me to sew, pouring me a glass of wine, the cantaloupe at swim practice, the plays and musicals, the college decisions...hugs, kisses and always believing in me. Thank you for giving me memories..and one day we will be together again..leaning on each other, relying on each other.
Forever and always missing you, Char.
P.S. Your bday is soon...I love yoU!
| John | Years gone by | March 15, 2014 |
Hey mom, just wanted to share an old memory. It was the last time I saw your face. The day after your first chemo treatment, when you didn`t feel oh so good. Dad of course he didn`t know why you were sick because he forgot stuff. But I came over, and visited and put dishes in the dish washer. You actually were hungry so I warmed you and dad plates of food, even cooking you rice from scratch! I`ve never cooked rice before that, or after... You`re face though, as I left the house to go home, you looked at me chewing and there was a look, that will be forever burned in my memory. The very last time we said "I love you" to each other. Who would have known it would be our last time together. If only I`d known, I would have done more, said more, stayed longer... You meant and still do mean, the absolute world to me. You and dad! But life reminds me each day that I`m not a boy any longer under my mothers wing. I have to carry the load of not only me, but others. I hope you look down and are proud of me... We ALL miss you and dad... every day, every hour, every minute.... Here`s a little girl singing that I know would have brought tears to your eyes, because you were so sensitive like myself. It reminds me of my love for you. Thanks for adopting me... but I always belonged to you, even before I was born... It was our destiny.... and it will be again when we meet in Heaven ... Hugz...
| Char | I miss the days... | August 7, 2013 |
Grandma,
I miss the old days..the days where I knew if i had a problem you could help me solve it or at least help me undersand it. I miss the days of just feeling that things were going to be ok because you said they would be. I miss the days when i was pissed off you let me be and even got a little pissy right along with me. I miss the days when you were upset, sad or mad you could call me and vent and it could be our secret moment. I miss the days when your smile and laugh would brighten my day. I miss the days when even if i did something wrong and you fussed at me (which was rare) you didnt fuss at me long.. i miss the days when sitting on the couch or recliner doing nothing but talking and telling stories was enough for us...I miss the days when holidays were centered around you and grandpa and they were actually fun, I miss the days when i was a kid and you made me feel on top of the world...i miss the days when you needed me...i miss the days when your home felt like my home...i miss the days when I thought you would be around forever...i know death happens but I had so many more memories that i wanted to share with you...so many more days i wanted to spend with you...so many more days I needed my grandma...like today..like most days. I love you so very much...no matter how many times i say it, type it or cry it...it will never be enough to express how much I miss you.
Love char
I miss the old days..the days where I knew if i had a problem you could help me solve it or at least help me undersand it. I miss the days of just feeling that things were going to be ok because you said they would be. I miss the days when i was pissed off you let me be and even got a little pissy right along with me. I miss the days when you were upset, sad or mad you could call me and vent and it could be our secret moment. I miss the days when your smile and laugh would brighten my day. I miss the days when even if i did something wrong and you fussed at me (which was rare) you didnt fuss at me long.. i miss the days when sitting on the couch or recliner doing nothing but talking and telling stories was enough for us...I miss the days when holidays were centered around you and grandpa and they were actually fun, I miss the days when i was a kid and you made me feel on top of the world...i miss the days when you needed me...i miss the days when your home felt like my home...i miss the days when I thought you would be around forever...i know death happens but I had so many more memories that i wanted to share with you...so many more days i wanted to spend with you...so many more days I needed my grandma...like today..like most days. I love you so very much...no matter how many times i say it, type it or cry it...it will never be enough to express how much I miss you.
Love char
| Charlene | Missing you as always | June 6, 2013 |
Hi Grandma and Grandpa,
Oh how I miss you both so much. Some days I still cant imagine that we are living life, enjoying holidays and having memories that dont have you included in everyone. It feels like I am missing something but then I realize its not something ..its someone.. so much of my life lessons revolve around my talks with Grandma on the porch. Everything about you and Grandma are still so vivid to me... the house layout, where exact items were placed in the house, the smell of the blankets, the sound from the tv when grandpa is watching, the taste of the food, the touch of my grandmas hand, the flirty smile grandpa would flash to grandma, grandmas piercing ocean blue eyes... the way you lit up a room any room. Everyone knew yall and if they didnt they would soon know you and would be left with that feeling they wished they had knew you sooner. A lot of the times though surrounded by siblings and family, i still feel so alone. I try to understand, look past, get over, let go, but other times it just sits there..i wish i had you to talk to most of the time. I still drive by the house..wishing you were out front waving to people. Today i was talking to my coworker and telling her how strange it is for me to go to a church where the preist doesnt know Bill and Toye Long....strangest feeling .. I try to make decisions that i think you would be proud of me for. Sometimes I am not always so proud of where I am in life because like you know I have very high expectations but in general i try to make the best decisions, make you proud. I ask my siblings sometimes...do you ever stop and think about the decisions your making..if grandma was here would you make her proud..but honestly I dont think they think the way i do. I know they love and miss you too...its just different. Im just different and express myself differently. I was telling the story about how you and grandpa would sit up front at church and when grandpa stood..everyone stood. When you couldnt hear..Father Bob got louder lol. I want to thank you both for being the only couple i grew up watching love each other unconditionally. Its very hard to grow up and know what a truely happy, healthy marriage looks like when they are rare in the world. ..but you all were perfect examples. Angry, frustrated, heartbreak and loss you both still loved each other and that never changed and I hope 50 years from now me and my husband can say the same thing. I couldnt have dreamt of better grandparents and role models. I miss you every single day of my life.
Love always, your first girl Char
Oh how I miss you both so much. Some days I still cant imagine that we are living life, enjoying holidays and having memories that dont have you included in everyone. It feels like I am missing something but then I realize its not something ..its someone.. so much of my life lessons revolve around my talks with Grandma on the porch. Everything about you and Grandma are still so vivid to me... the house layout, where exact items were placed in the house, the smell of the blankets, the sound from the tv when grandpa is watching, the taste of the food, the touch of my grandmas hand, the flirty smile grandpa would flash to grandma, grandmas piercing ocean blue eyes... the way you lit up a room any room. Everyone knew yall and if they didnt they would soon know you and would be left with that feeling they wished they had knew you sooner. A lot of the times though surrounded by siblings and family, i still feel so alone. I try to understand, look past, get over, let go, but other times it just sits there..i wish i had you to talk to most of the time. I still drive by the house..wishing you were out front waving to people. Today i was talking to my coworker and telling her how strange it is for me to go to a church where the preist doesnt know Bill and Toye Long....strangest feeling .. I try to make decisions that i think you would be proud of me for. Sometimes I am not always so proud of where I am in life because like you know I have very high expectations but in general i try to make the best decisions, make you proud. I ask my siblings sometimes...do you ever stop and think about the decisions your making..if grandma was here would you make her proud..but honestly I dont think they think the way i do. I know they love and miss you too...its just different. Im just different and express myself differently. I was telling the story about how you and grandpa would sit up front at church and when grandpa stood..everyone stood. When you couldnt hear..Father Bob got louder lol. I want to thank you both for being the only couple i grew up watching love each other unconditionally. Its very hard to grow up and know what a truely happy, healthy marriage looks like when they are rare in the world. ..but you all were perfect examples. Angry, frustrated, heartbreak and loss you both still loved each other and that never changed and I hope 50 years from now me and my husband can say the same thing. I couldnt have dreamt of better grandparents and role models. I miss you every single day of my life.
Love always, your first girl Char
| Char | Happy Birthday and Happy Easter | April 1, 2013 |
Happy Belated Birthday Grandma! I am sorry my post is late but trust me I didnt forget. I bought an Easter Lily at church and dedicated it to you for your Birthday. Daddy came to church and it was nice sitting with him, navali and mom on the 2nd pew in the front...Even after the years you have been away from us it the pain feels so fresh... some days it feels like forver since you were here with us and other days I cant imagine how fast the time has gone by. Its like our familiy was whole and after you passed it was broken into big pieces...some of those pieces still not back together. I try to carry on what you did and inspired in the family but your shoes though tiny are hard to fiill. I love you with all my heart and on days like these..holidays and your birthday and a church day they are the hardest. I cant ever go to church without crying ...not bad crying but not happy either...it touches my heart, it fills my heart with memories of you and how you tried to encourage our faith in us over the years never giving up on us. I think sometimes we all could do better and make you prouder than we are. I will always try to be a better daughter, sister, granddaughter, friend, Christian..one day a mom and grandmother like you. You never gave up during hard times and lately i have had quite a few hard times....i have thought about just giving up but I remember you told me a long time ago..im the strong one...just like you were. I hope you had a wonderful celebration in Heaven with grandpa. I miss him so much as well. Some days I long for the simple moments we had...as a child watching Mary Poppins in the den on the tape you recorded it for me, laying on the floor coloring, eating the bread you always made me, library visits, trips to kmart, sitting on the back porch talking, picking tomatos, watching you sew...some of the simplest memories are my favorite...you always served me a juice glass and milk glass...forever your strong grand daughter... I love you more than anyone will ever understand. Happy Birthday and Happy Easter!
Love char
Love char
| John | Happy Birthday!.... and Happy Easter! | March 31, 2013 |
Hey mom, just a passage to say Happy birthday, and Happy Easter! I met with Charlene, Navali, Amber, and Ritchie today at church for Easter services. While announcing birthdays and anniversaries Ann Lambousy butted in that it was your birthday for all to hear. Of course Father Rick never knew you or dad, but I`m sure he knows of you. You left a positive influence on everyone you ever met. I STILL meet students of yours, that remember you, and say how much they loved you as a teacher. There`s just no telling, how many good people are out there in the world, because of your teaching and mentoring as their first grade teacher. So, eight years have gone by since you passed from this life. It seems longer. Days just drudge by... We all miss you in our own certain ways. Charlene and I take it the worst. She speaks of you and how you two used to sit and talk for hours, giving her advice about probably just about anything. Girl talk, not for my ears, and I like it that way. It makes it special. My birth mother, whom you never met, knows the inseperable bond between you and I and writes today on Facebook under our picture..." i love the pic of you and mother toye .she looks so sweet and so proud of her little handsome son .god bless her forveryou are a good son for keeping her memory alive bless you my son"
She`s a sweet woman, and I thank God she and my other family was found . She came along when I was vulnerable after dad passed. I needed reassurance and guidance I suppose. It was a dream come true, that you and I had talked about. My blood siblings, totally take me in as their brother, which I am, and it feels good to know them, hold them, talk to them weekly.
So Alicia has bar b q`d me a big T-bone steak and is hollering it`s ready, so I bid you farewell for now... I love you mom... Happy Birthday!
| John Long | Another year slips away... | December 27, 2012 |
Oh mom & dad, yet another year slips by in this crazy world. We`ve just gotten past Christmas. It was nice, Charlene and Ritchie hosted the annual dinner this season. Brittney remains in South Korea in the Army. Terri is in remission from leukemia, Derek and Jennifer are still forging ahead in the world trying to find their own niche. One thing we ALL agree on is that we love and horribly miss you guys! I wish that you two are still looking down on all of us with God at your right hand... please watch over us and help those who need inspiration in life by finding your way into their prayers and dreams at night. I love you.... both of you... but you already knew that... Happy 67th Anniversary! <3 
| Char | your things bring me the greatest memories | April 24, 2012 |
Grandma,
I am in the process of decorating my house and getting all settled in still. The few things I have of yours i love seeing..they make me happy and sad to see your things. Most of all they bring back so many memories of you and Grandpa and the comfort of your home you shared with us all. I have your book case with your cook books that have all your favorite recipes you cut out ..in my kitchen. I have a picture of you and Grandpa on top of it ...looking over me. I remember all the many days me and you would spend looking at your cook books. I have your white crochet angel that has a bell on my door and so everytime the door opens it dings...brings a smile to my face when I hear it. I have one of your dish towels that I use regularly and I remember exactly where it hung inyour house. Daddy is letting me have your vanity which means so much to me because I can remember being a small child all the way through my teenage years ..watching you put your makeup on and put your stockings on at that vanity. You showed me how to put on red lipstick with no mirror...I still impress people with that trick. I love you and miss you dearly.
Love Char
I am in the process of decorating my house and getting all settled in still. The few things I have of yours i love seeing..they make me happy and sad to see your things. Most of all they bring back so many memories of you and Grandpa and the comfort of your home you shared with us all. I have your book case with your cook books that have all your favorite recipes you cut out ..in my kitchen. I have a picture of you and Grandpa on top of it ...looking over me. I remember all the many days me and you would spend looking at your cook books. I have your white crochet angel that has a bell on my door and so everytime the door opens it dings...brings a smile to my face when I hear it. I have one of your dish towels that I use regularly and I remember exactly where it hung inyour house. Daddy is letting me have your vanity which means so much to me because I can remember being a small child all the way through my teenage years ..watching you put your makeup on and put your stockings on at that vanity. You showed me how to put on red lipstick with no mirror...I still impress people with that trick. I love you and miss you dearly.
Love Char
| char | sitting out on your porch | January 23, 2012 |
Hi Grandma,
First off sending lots of love and kisses to you and Grandpa, I am glad you got to spend yalls anniversary together. I love you and miss you both so much. The holidays are always so much harder than the regular hard days without you but I made it another year without you but never once stop thinking about you. We bought a home..its been hard, there has been so much to do and its definately overwhelming but I know it will be worth it in the long run. One of my favorite memories of us ...was when me and you would sit in your back patio and look through your recipes you would cut out of the paper. After you passed, I was able to get a few of those albums you had your recipes in..and I have them on thr book shelf that was in your middle room and I hope to do the same. I knew this was the house when I saw that back room..it reminds me of you everytime i walk into it. I know you were telling me this was it...Thank you. I know i asked you to please help me...know when the right one comes along. I miss you so much ..love always char
First off sending lots of love and kisses to you and Grandpa, I am glad you got to spend yalls anniversary together. I love you and miss you both so much. The holidays are always so much harder than the regular hard days without you but I made it another year without you but never once stop thinking about you. We bought a home..its been hard, there has been so much to do and its definately overwhelming but I know it will be worth it in the long run. One of my favorite memories of us ...was when me and you would sit in your back patio and look through your recipes you would cut out of the paper. After you passed, I was able to get a few of those albums you had your recipes in..and I have them on thr book shelf that was in your middle room and I hope to do the same. I knew this was the house when I saw that back room..it reminds me of you everytime i walk into it. I know you were telling me this was it...Thank you. I know i asked you to please help me...know when the right one comes along. I miss you so much ..love always char
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