Toye Adelaide Long

  Well mom, another year passes for us. Alicia, the kids and myself have all had trying years this 2011. As you know, dad now sits beside you. Yes he left us January 10th. I`m sure, as nice as he was, God just ushered him right on through those Pearly gates and you were probably right there waitng for him. Anyway... my memory to share was how when you and dad would hug each other, I would run and sqeeeeze in between you two, and get hugs from both sides. I`m sorry I was so needy... but it kept me the sensitive person I am, although some might disagree. I know what I`m doing... So Merry Christmas and Happy 2012 mom & dad! I love you and miss you both! We ALL do! And even though I have gotten a second chance to love my mother, know that you could never ever be replaced.... xo

Happy Early Thanksgiving Grandma and Grandpa!

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving.  I remember for so many years you spent your Thanksgiving in Mexico.. eating yummy food, dancing to music and shopping.  Then as I got older we started having it at your house... I would come over and help you in the Kitchen and bring food.  You and Aunt Rita always made me my favorite bread.  I remember the first time Richie came over for Thanksgiving he was so surprised to find a bunch of us white people lol ... eating mexican food from Luna's.  But I told him if my Grandparents cant go to Mexico for Thanksgiving then we can bring at least the food to them. lol.  Didnt really matter what we ate.. it was just so nice being there with you and Grandpa.  Of course you could always find Grandpa in his chair, sipping something strong on ice, watching the Aggies...yelling at us to keep it down haha.  We would go out on the porch only after you calling Grandpa an Ass or Turd and then him smiling at you or winking.  Yall were so perfect together... I miss that perfection.  I miss that comfort I felt being in your home.  After you left and Grandpa left...all I could think about was wanting to go in your house and just be there.  Even though you werent there..your stuff wasnt there...i just wanted to be in that house i grew up in.  I remember where everything was...how everything looked.  It was all so perfect... it was nice then but when the people you hold so dear in your heart leave you realize how much more it was...it was always perfection spending time with you and grandpa at your house.  HOlidays are different now... I love you and thank you for giving me such wonderful memories. 
Love, Char

 Hi Grandma and Grandpa...
Wow do i miss yall so much...my heart really does ache for you.  What I would do to have you back.  Well yesterday was Daddys bday as you know...your baby turned 53 or as dad says 35 lol.  We went to dinner with him and sang him happy bday.  I know he misses you too every day.  He just returned from a family reunion with his biological family and had a good time.  They have been ver welcoming and nice to him and us.  I know she cares deeply for him and is glad we found each other but she also knows that you are our center and the mother and grandmother that holds our heart forever.  Dont ever forget that...you are forever our center.  I hope that one day I can be just as good of a mother and grandmother as you were to us.  You made such a difference in my life and everyone you ever met.  Give Grandpa a hug for me and continue watching over me.  I love you!

Attaching a picture from dads bday dinner last night... Looks handsome as ever.  

Love your grand-daughter, Char

HAPPY GRANDPARENTS DAY!

I love you both very much... the day feels so empty without you all.  Grandma I know you hear my prayers for guidance and help.  Sometimes I feel so alone which is strange considering I have a huge family but when you left the togetherness seemed to leave with you.  I try to keep us together doing family things, loving each other but I havent had much luck.  I know you see everything that is going on and I hope you will give me and others the guidance we need.  You and grandpa were such great grandparents...you went way above and beyond.  You were never selfish...you always thought about us..you always made me feel loved, you always reminded me how pride you were of me and constantly reminded me how great of a person I was.  I dont know what grandkid or kid could ever ask for more in a grandparent.  I wish you were here today not just so you could help me fix the problems I have but so that I could sit in the recliners with you on the back porch and we could talk and laugh like we use to..or sit in your room and go through things and listen to the stories you told me...how I wold love to hear your laugh and grandma hooting it over the Texas A & M game blasting loudly over the tv.  I love yall so very much..

Love,
Your First Grand-daughter Charlene

  Hi again mom... We saw a comedian ironing last night on the tv, and it reminded me of when I was like in kindergarten and I would come home after going to Katy Seltzer`s house. You would be ironing there by where the dinner table used to sit, and I would be on a little pallet you had made for me, and you`d be listening to "Paul Harvey" on the radio...... I still remember him at the end saying.... "Paul Harvey..........................................good day!" I love you mom. And tell dad too. But he knows... So much water has since flowed under the bridge since you left us... yet, its like almost yesterday. I still remember all the great times of being with you and dad.... I love you and miss you both...

Hi Grandma and Grandpa,

I hope you both are enjoying having each other again.  I just wanted to tell you that I miss you both so much...some of my best memories involve you both.  I wish for the days when you all were here and we had each other to be back.  I still wish I had you here Grandma so I could tell you all that has happened but I already know you have had your hand in making it happen.  I know you are my Angel and I hope that all I do makes you proud. 

As you know I found Daddys biological family.  They are wonderful people.  They have been so open to us and though at first I was excited I was also nervous because above all I didnt want to do anything to disrespect you.  But I remembered something you taught me a long time ago..our hearts are big and their is plenty of room for a lot of love.  I also know that you know how much I love you and Grandpa and no one could ever come close to replacing your spot in my heart.  Its forever yours...
I also found my moms sister but its a work in progress, I hope it continues to be positive.  I know you will send your love and faith to me.  I love you more than anyone can imagine....we always had that special bond that no one can duplicate or understand.  I will forever be your first grand -daughter.  I know they already know too but send my love to my Nana, Aunt Martha and cat Chloe...shes feisty like you. lol.  Love you, Char 9-6-11

   Just stopping by mom to tell you, that I wish you were here this Mothers Day, so I could give you a big ole hug! I love you! I miss you....Happy Mothers Day.... xo

Happy Easter Grandma!

I went to church today with Mom, Jen and Navali, Smorgs and Terri and Dylan and Leland. You never got to meet Leland or Navali ..they are something else them two.  They played our favorite songs today at church...Lamb of God and Santo Santo... Everytime I go to church I think of you the second I walk in and for some reason its hardest during communion.  I guess because I remember holding your hand sometimes when we walked up and sitting next to you in church.  Today was hard because of the songs and because its a holiday...I cried a lot the ladies that miss you there always see me and pat my back and tell me how much they miss you too...they know how much i miss you ..they can see it in my eyes.  The church was decorated beautifully...and the cross was colored in flowers.  We later came back to my moms house and had lunch and let the kids hunt eggs.

I wish more than anything you could be here in person...i miss you smile and your laugh. You always made the holidays the best!  I remember the Easter Egg hunts at your house..we would have to be careful not to mess up Grandpa tomato plants..lol.. we would eat good food...hunt eggs...and lay out on the porch with you and talk and nap.  I miss that back yard..miss that porch. Sometimes I wish I could just lay in the recliners on your back porch..one more time.  I love you...Happy Easter to you and Grandpa! Love yall both! Your first Grand daughter Char

Happy Birthday Grandma! Remember when we threw you that Sweet 16 Surprise Dinner for you..that was so much fun.  You were always so much fun...I wish you were here everyday.  As I am sure you know...I found Daddys biological family.  It was never Firecoat...silly us it was Fivecoat.  Everyone says I look like them because of my hair and eyes.  I miss you and Grandpa very much...give him a kiss for me because I never go to tell him bye.  I miss you both.. I miss your house...I miss our Tuesday dinners...sitting in church together... I miss Grandpa's tomato plants...I miss everything because you were a part of everything we did.  Me and Richie are trying to buy a house...send me some advice because its one of the hardest things I have ever done.  I remember when I would come home from college to visit everyone...most of the time I drove straight to your house.  You would always send me off with lots of waves and wine and that special bread i loved. Have a great day Birthday girl! love always, your first grand-daughter Char Char

Well mom, by now you have dad sitting there beside you, and I have no doubt you still occasionaly have to throw the newspaper at him when he bugs you! Hahahaha... Anyway, I have big news! We`ve finally located my birthmother and siblings, just like you always encouraged me to do, because you knew it meant alot to me  .... just know what my roots look like. Ive yet to meet them in person because it all just happened, but know that when I see my roots which are theirs... the trunk and limbs, and leaves of my tree, are of your creation and will never wither. All I am and ever will be, are a direct result of your teachings, love, and perservearence to mold me into the great man I am today.... Thanks mom... for everything and believing in me... I love you! And tell dad too !

Hi Grandma,

As you know Grandpa passed away and I am sure yall are holding hands right now...and hes trying to sneak kisses in as we speak. Yall have always been so perfect for each other. I  am so sad to see Grandpa go but he has been ready to go the day you left all of us. You were his meaning for life and so I am glad he is happy again.  They say with time its gets easier but I dont think its working for me...I seem to miss you more and more each day. My days, holidays, big events, sad events and pretty much everything remind me of how much I miss you and how you have always impacted my life.  I drive my your old house a lot and sometimes coast slowly in front to just look at the house that i grew in....I miss that house...I miss the smell....I miss the comfort,....the memories and yall.  I sometimes think that I wish i could just got lay down on the carpet in there and have the good times back.  I wished you could have been here longer...to see me get engaged and get married...to meet Jennys daughter Navali...to see me have kids one day. But I know you ware watching us from above....i love you and miss you with every beat of my heart. Forever your first grand-daughter Char

   Hello mom... just to let you know I thought about you today, Christmas Day, as I`m sure others did, but might have been distracted or didn`t want to sadden themselves of you not being with us so I don`t see any posts. You could always rely on me.... and still can mom. 5 years... where has the time gone? But the pain is still as hurtful as if it were this past October...

    Anyway, my memory to share is when Christmas would approach, you would just give Jim and I the Sears catalogue, and tell us to circle whatever we wanted, and to write down the page number on a piece of paper. Naturelly... I`d have quite the list of page numbers... practically the whole toy section.... I`ll never forget how generous you were to me. Slipping money in my hand when I was younger, without dad seeing.... I do that with my kids now. I love you mom.... i miss you mom... Merry Christmas mom.... 

  Hi again ... I wanted to come by just to show you something, that would have made you burst out in utter laughter...... did it work? I`m sure it would have, because I know you....I knew you...I love you...

  Hello... today is the 5 yr. anniversary of the day you left us...just 3 days after my birthday. My memory to share was the time that Brittney & I rode with you and dad on the day bus trip to Rusk, Tx. to ride the steam operated train that still runs from there to Palestine, and then back. Someday I`m going to take the grandkids. But I remember it being such a pleasant trip when we went...with the clickity-clack of the tracks as we rode along....thanks mom for all the great memories that I cherish.....thank you...I love you.....We miss you...

Hi Grandma... Its been too long... I am not sure how everyone is still holding up because a lot of people in our family dont discuss emotions. But you know we always discussed that stuff with each other and so I dont have a problem telling you how much my heart aches every day without you. I feel like a piece of me is forever gone... I never imagined how much change would occur after you left us but I cant honestly say you were what made our world go round... I know you watch us but I wish you could play with Navali...She is wonderful Grandma. So much like you...very independent, very smart, always wants to learn and definately has some sass just like you. She is not afraid to tell anyone how she feels or if they are bugging her. Life has been hard lately...lots of stress, lots of tears, lots of  frustrations but I try to remember all the great lessons you taught me and continue to keep moving ahead. I always tell stories about you to everyone and I always will because you were one of the brightest lights in my life. I know you got to meet Richie but you never got a chance to really spend time with him and I wish you would have had that chance. I spend time with his Grandma and its nice but its not you... I encourage him to spend as much time he has with her because I know what its like to wish you had one more hour or day with that person. I love you Grandma..untill we see each other again send me love and hope!