It was a wonderful Thanksgiving....Mike's daughter came to visit with her sixteen year old son and her 4 year old daughter.  We had deep fried turkey with all the trimmings.  I made cornbread so we had cornbread dressing and rice dressing both.  I visited with my grandkids on Wednesday night and all day on Thursday, but on Thursday night I felt sick, feverish and achy and lots and lots of coughing and coughing and coughing all night long.  I felt so bad I didn't get up out of bed on Friday and so my daughter and her kiddos left for home that next evening.  I don't even remember Friday, or Saturday, or Sunday, and I barely remember Monday.  I had thought that by Monday if what I had was the flu I would be feeling better after five days of not much besides sleep to keep me going.  But Monday was no different, and neither was Tuesday.  Mike got sick on Monday...and so both of us were down.  Thank goodness for Sonny who cooked and fed us because Mike and I were both too week and dizzy and feverish to stay out of bed for long.  On Wednesday Mike and I felt good enough to go to the doctor.  He checked us both for the flu and said that Mike did indeed have the flu and put him on an antiviral.  He said that I was over all my flu symptoms and was not contagious...but I have pneumonia.  Since then I have slept a lot, have been eating light and drinking lots of fluids and taking my antibiotic every day the way the doctor ordered.  Tonight (It is December 2nd, Sunday night) I have eaten my dinner, taken my medication and feel like I am better today, still awake after being out of bed for a few hours.  Tomorrow should be even better!  I have three days of antibiotic left to take.

My husband's mother passed away unexpectedly, last week. He and I and our son made a rush trip to Lafayette, Louisiana for the funeral. My son said he doesn't want to go back to Louisiana again if it will always be for a funeral. My niece wrote the following obituary:

"Funeral services were held Friday, October 19, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at Evangeline Memorial Gardens Chapel in Carencro for Norma D. Becknell, age 86, the former Norma D. Currie, who passed away Tuesday, October 16, 2012 at Lafayette General Medical Center in Lafayette. Interment in Evangeline Memorial Gardens in Carencro. The family held visiting hours from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Thursday and on Friday from 8:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Melancon Funeral Home, Evangeline Memorial Gardens Chapel, 4117 North University Avenue, was in charge of arrangements. Pastor Chad Thibodeaux, pastor of Vatican Baptist Church of Vatican, officiated at the services.

Mrs. Becknell was a native of Jackson, Mississippi and a resident of Carencro since 1994. She was a member of Missionary Baptist Church in Many, LA. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, and she loved her dogs. Norma was a strong spirited independent woman who will be deeply missed.

Survivors include two sons, Daniel Brewer and his wife, Pam, of Lafayette and Mike Brewer and his wife, Myra, of Bismarck, Arkansas; two daughters, Rhonda Darrell Trahan and her husband, Cecil, of Lafayette, Deanne Becknell Hallam and her husband, Billy of Jasper, Texas; one brother, H.C. "Jack" Cooper and his wife, Minnie, of Coushatta; one sister, Betty Huston, of Boise, Idaho; and eleven grandchildren, Crystal Snider and her husband, Mike, Jenny Shelton her husband, Colt, Erica Miller and her husband, Darrel, and Laura Brewer all of Carencro, Tess Blanchard, Josh Brewer, Allison Reed, and J.W. Rourk all of Lafayette, Sonny Brewer of Bismarck, Arkansas, Roni Becknell Sadler of Fort Worth, Texas, and James "Beau" Fisher of San Marcos, Texas. Ten great grandchildren, Ashley Hilton, Anthony "Craig" Baldi, Allison Jacob, Grant Arceneaux, Chloe Brewer, Trinity Brewer, Lexi Clifton, Logan Clifton, Molly Reed, and Andrew Grettner. Two great-great grandchildren Zoey Hilton, Anthony Craig Baldi, Jr. Long time caregiver and special friend Angela Boutin as well as a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lynn "Gadget" Becknell; her parents, S.D. Currie and the former Mabel Du Pree' both of Magee Mississippi; two sons, Ronald Bruce Becknell and Ronald Brewer; granddaughter Eva Baldi and one sister, Myrtice Anderson.

The following are some heartfelt notes to show how much Norma (Nomo to her grandkids) was loved...

Allison Brewer Reed
Norma Becknell 1926 - 2012
The last of my remaining grandparents passed away today. She was one tough old bitch. There is no doubt in my mind where I get my stubborn pigheadedness, and fire filled zest for life. RIP Nomo.

Crystal Snider
I lost a piece of my heart today as I watched my grandmother take her last breath. The love I hold for you will be eternal, I will be strong just as you always were, I will always carry your memory, as well as all the time we shared, and when it is my time to leave this earth I know you will be by my side to welcome me - or fuss and ask me what took so long. I love you, always, and like I said earlier you are a big part of my "everything" I love you nomo

Alley Jacob
Today, My family and I mourn due to the loss of a person we held close to our hearts, Nomo. She was a terrific person, and she definitely made her mark in our lives. While reminiscing,please remember, "Time doesn't fly, It makes memories." What matters is each moment she spent with us was treasured, not how long ago it was. She touched our hearts at some point, and for that she will never be forgotten. We love and miss you so much, Nomo. Rest in Peace. ♥

Laura Brewer
We gained a new angel this afternoon. Nomo you will be missed by many. We all loved you very much. Thank you for everything you have taught me over the years. I'll love you forever and you will never be forgotten. I have already started telling Andrew about all of our memories together. Give pa hugs and kisses for all of us!

Deanna Becknell Hallam
I went to visit my stepmom in Lafayette Friday, and I am so thankful for that visit because today she passed on. She went home....and I am sure my father was waiting for her with open arms. She was my mother for 40 years, and she helped me through some very tough times. She was a loving lady that was never afraid to give you a kick if you needed it.....I loved her very much. Very much

Jennifer Shelton

RIP Norma "Nomo" Becknell she was fiery and tough and definitely had more strength than anyone in this world... I love u Nomo always and when u get to those pearly gates give pa gadget uncle Ronnie and big momma lots of love from all of us... Miss u already :(

Myra Maggard Brewer
Sad news today as Mike's mother Norma Becknell died about noon. Rest in Peace, Nomo! We all love you and you will always live on in our memories. It has always been a treasure to know you!

Crystal Snider (October 17, 2012)
Today will be the first day I face without you, I find comfort in knowing that you are in peace, but find a void within myself from the moment you left. Every ounce of my soul misses you. I am lost. God grant me strength.

Crystal Snider (Friday, October 19, 2012)
My grandmothers service touched my heart, i had only intended to give her the send off that she was worthy of. Not only did I feel that was accomplished, but both sides of my family came out and supported and comforted one another, my friends and Hulco family showed me love and support. I don't know what the future will hold, I know that I'll have to adjust to life without her, which will be hard, this morning when I left my house I passed up the funeral home and found myself getting ready to go to her house, as if my heart was on autopilot. Checking in on her had become second nature, so that will be a hard habit to break. I love you nomo.

Jennifer Shelton (Friday October 19, 2012)
My NoMo's funeral was beautiful My big sister did such an amazing job I'm so proud of her :-) and thank u uncle mark for all of ur help and thank u for all of my wonderful family and friends getting together and helping each other through this hard time... Nomo u will be missed sorely as we love u do much... I will cherish always every moment and memory we shared and every lesson u taught me I love u Nomo may u rest in peace and watch over all of us always

Laura Brewer (Friday October 19, 2012)
Today was heart breaking! I want to take this time to thank everyone for their love, support, and prayers for my family and I. A special thank you to Katie for taking care of little man today. Rest in peace Nomo. Don't forget to keep an eye on all of us. —

Mike Brewer
As heavy as my heart was to watch my Mother's funeral today, I was glad to be surrounded with so many friends, and family that knew and loved her. A very special thanks to my niece Crystal who stayed with my Mother, her Grandmother, through these last few weeks and put together a beautiful service that I am sure would of made my mother smile. For years it was Crystal and her Mother that helped my Mother stay self sufficient and words can never express how much I appreciated being able to know they were there to check on her, bring her food, and lend any help they could. My Mother was not big on public signs of emotion, but I know how much she appreciated them being a daily part of her life. We should all be so lucky to have such caring people around us in times of need.

The 2012 Nagel Family Reunion was held in Gainsville, Texas on August 10, 11, 12 at the Lone Oak Ranch Retreat and hosted by Doyle and Brenda Maggard.  I was there and got to see and visit with many, many of the Nagel family who came to enjoy the festivities. I am a Nagel.  Nagel was my Mother Jane Maggard's maiden name.  Henry and Anna Nagel were my grandparents.  I need to make a list of everyone in my huge family so I don't leave anyone out.  I know from Uncle Eilert's family that Steve brought much of his family and that Rollie and Cinda and husband Mike Becker were there.  I know from my Uncle Herb's family was Kim and husband Mike Brace and daughters Allison and Sara and Kim's granddaughters. Many of my mother Jane's family were there.  Uncle Bud and his daughter Rhonda were there.  From my Aunt Verna's family Bruce and Sue Trost came and I sat next to Denise Hole and her son James in church.  Also from Aunt Verna and Uncle Carl's family was Sandy and husband Gailyn Boeschling.  My Aunt Dorothy and husband Bob Evans was there and Dorothy's three daughters, Janet Sammons, Chris Blackwell and husband Joe and Cynthia Logan.

My son (...whose real name is Robert Michael but who goes by the name of Mike--which is also the name that my husband goes by, so to differentiate, I often say Mike2--except among family.) whose childhood nickname is "Sonny" and I drove to Trophy Club, Texas early (on Monday, August 6) because we wanted

Robert Michael Timothy Lee Brewer, is it any wonder they all call him Sonny!?!

to visit with my dad and my brother Gary and his wife, Judy from Delaware.  They'd arrived at my Dad's house, the last stop on their summertime 'trek' out to California (to see their new granddaughter Amelia for the first time and their sons Danny and Gary and their wives and children) and would be staying at my Dad's house until after the 2012 Nagel Family Reunion.  My Dad  is 92, and will celebrate his 93rd birthday this year.  My older

L.M. "Jack" Maggard was born November 19, 1919

Gary Maggard's birthday is June 12

Charla holding Amelia while Isabel does her own thing.

brother Gary was born in 1942.  Gary and his wife, Judy live in Bear Delaware close to his daughter Tammy Benbrook and her husband David.  They have two grandsons there, too, named Darrel (19) and Kyle (15).  They were not able to come to this year's Nagel Reunion and neither were Gary's son Gary (nor, wife, Stacy and sons David, Brandon, Noah and Luke) or son Danny (wife Sarah and  4 year old twins Kyler and Kaylin)  But Son Justin with his new wife Val were there and so was daughter Charla Alino with her husband Ignacio and daughters Isabel (2) and Amelia (about 1/3 of a year old).  

Gary Bonar and Gary Maggard

My older sister Marjean (born in 1944 and died in 1993) had children there including her son Gary Bonar with his son Andrew.  Marjean's daughter is named Jana, and her husband is Jeff  Sciba and they have sons Ethan (17) and Austin (8) and a daughter Abbigayle Jane (6).  as well as son Jack Bonar with his wife Amy and daughters Katy (16) and Emma (11).  I am the middle child with two older siblings and three younger ones.  My brother Doyle is 3 years my junior.  He and his wife Brenda hosted the reunion at the Lone Oak Ranch Retreat next door to his farm.  They finished building their 'farmhouse' and moved into it before New Years of 2012.  A big part of the fun at the reunion was visiting the farm and taking a tour of their beautiful house.  There was a huge water cooler blowing onto the patio outside making it almost pleasant to sit in the 

The water cooled patio overlooks the barns, pond and pastures.  Sitting outside are (left) Dorothy Evans, Kim Brace, Allison Bush, Sara Batchelder, Mike Brace, Stan Maggard, Jason Helal and Jack Maggard

hundred degree heat and visit comfortably!  Down at the barns there were chickens and horses and a donkey to see.  Lots of people were going down to the pond and fishing from the dock there.  Absolutely nothing was missing!  Doyle's son Kenny lives closeby and was able to be at the reunion all 3 days.  I grabbed the chance to visit with him and I know Sonny did too because Kenny is one of our favorite people!  Anne Helal and her husband Jason were there and I got a nice visit with her and her mother Brenda at the same time!  Anne and Brenda and my deceased daughter were close and it is pleasant to see what wonderful people Eva was close to.  I recognized Jason's singing in church and didn't resist telling him after the service what a beautiful voice he has. Anne and Jason's children Jordan, Logan and Alexis grew up so much since the last time I saw them I had a hard time not to say so.  Jordan spent some time entertaining the family with his guitar and singing.  Logan was the perfect gentleman and Alexis was taller than me, but still a youngster, I could tell, by the fact that she was everywhere and had energy that I'd love for her to share with me!  

Kim Brace said something that made Stan's crew all laugh!  That's Tammy Nagel in the left hand corner and all smiles are Derek Maggard, Jason and Chelsea Gould and Conni Maggard

Stan Maggard

My brother, ten years younger, Stan and his wife Conni were there, with son Derek and daughter Chelsea Gould and her husband Jason. They stayed up late to watch the meteor shower and whenever you'd look for Jason or Chelsea they were looking at bugs so you know they had a good time!  Stan's oldest son Jake was there with his wife Carrie and daughter Lauren (11) and son Brennan (8) and new baby boy (9 mos).  My 

Alex is teaching Blake the ropes to mobility!

brother twenty years younger, Bryan and his wife Denise were there with their two little ones Alex and Katy Jane.  Bryan loves to fish, so much of the time there was someone fishing at the dock who knew where everything was, and Alex knows his way around not just the fishing dock, but the whole farm, and the house too.  He got a chance to visit with everyone because all us adults were standing in line to hear what he had to say.  Katy Jane is quieter, but she was dressed cute as a button, adorable in her different hats and when she talked to me she was as full of questions as Alex used to be, so when she gets older there might be two or three who can answer every question.  Sometimes Doyle doesn't know and says "ask Brenda" or Brenda doesn't know and says "ask Doyle" but it didn't take me long to figure out the thing to do was to 'ask Alex!'  

Doyle Maggard

The Retreat was included a hotel and western style houses, a Dance Hall and Barroom an eating place and  outside I saw a swimming pool and a petting zoo and a church.  We all broke bread together on Saturday at a noonday meal and Saturday night before nature sent the Leonides meteor shower there was a wagon ride that traveled along the perimeter of the entire ranch, through the woods and swamps, over the bridge, down by the cows and the horses and (at one point you could look out and see Doyle's huge house and all his barns and the fishing pond) and ended up on the road in front of the hotel where everyone was sitting outside at the tables, past the swimming pool and back where it started at the Cafe in front of the yellow and white cottage where Steve Nagel and his family were staying.  And everyone got a chance to ride before it got dark enough to light the bonfire.  Another good time!  I started out sitting on a log next to my Uncle Bud (who will be 88 on August 19) and his daughter Rhonda and ended up sitting on a different log next to my Dad and Allison Bush and Sara Batchelder who were being served roasted marshmallows by Denise Hole (Aunt Verna's son Bruce's daughter) 's son James because Sara liked them burnt and they kept catching fire.  I laughed and loved it all and was worn out still wanting to stay longer when it was time to go back and take a shower and tumble into my bed.  

Bud Nagel and Bruce Trost

Henry Nagel's family includes Evans, Logans, Beckers, Blackwells, Boeschlings as well as Nagels.

With the church as a backdrop, Mike Brace looks on while Steve and Elsie greet family including Dorothy Evans and daughter Cynthia Logan.  (That's Rollie Nagel who's almost out of the picture!)

On Sunday there was a church service.  The non-denominational congregation that is building the church up the road held a complete service for us and welcomed all us Nagel family in to sing the praises of the Lord.  The sermon was exactly the right thing to say to so many of us there.  It started out with us reading bible verses where our savior tells us not to fret or worry because worrying never helps and it could harm.  The sermon went on to tell us to be patient and never to lose our faith.  Put it into the hands of the Lord with prayer and the right results will follow even though sometimes we can't see it coming or we can only see it when we look back and realize that things could have gone differently.  It was altogether beautiful and moving and the perfect end to a perfect family reunion.

Brenda Maggard chats with Sandy and Gailyn Boeschling

My cousin Cynthia and me!

Dorothy Evans with daughters Janet Sammons, Cynthia Logan and Christine Blackwell

This beautiful view provided by the livingroom windows of Brenda and Doyle's house crosses the patio with it's umbrella tables and flows down to the pond and the barns and across the whole of the farm!

Photo taken in our yard on April 27...Mike finished building his chicken tractor and the chicks seem to be very happy in their new home.  Our garden is growing and the broccoli is ready to cut, steam and serve for diner.  Our trellis roses are in bloom and the lawn is ready to be mowed.

The chicks are almost big enough to be called chickens!

Today is Crystal's birthday.  I've known my niece for most of the birthdays that's she's had in her life.  The reason I am talking about her today is that she was here visiting this morning when I woke and now I am waiting to know for sure that she is back at home safe and sound.  She and her husband and daughter should be getting to their house any time now.  They came to visit yesterday and last night went to a concert in Little Rock to see Regina Spektor.  ( Hero-Regina Spektor ) It was a long drive for them, and it was the first time they have come to visit us.  Today, leaving, they all said they would be back so I think they like driving a little in the mountains here and our house with its peace and quiet and it's little garden and livestock.  Sonny cooked meatloaf and potatoes au gratin last night and extra special scrambled eggs for breakfast this morning.  

I have been reluctant to write on this blog since my daughter died.  I am still saddened that I will see her no more, but every day I is easier knowing that she is in heaven now without pain or worry.  On Friday, Mike and I went to Sam's in Hot Springs and he surprised me with a picture on canvas that he had ordered.  The picture is of my daughter walking with her granddaughter across a field on my brother's farm.  It is lovely...beautiful colors, and I see things I recognize when I look at the painting.  My niece Crystal brought me a painting of my daughter done by a friend of hers, copied from a photograph on Eva's facebook.  It, too is a reminder that Eva is all right now, smiling and happy and in need of nothing but a picture frame.

Baby Chicks bought on March 23, 2012 will be giving us eggs before we know it!

So much has changed this past little while that I am glad for the chance to spend my words talking about what is going on with me.  The main thing that makes me hop out of bed in the mornings are the chickens.  We have enough yard space here that we are able to have a little chicken coop.  Mike built it.  He calls it a chicken tractor because he has wheels on one end of it and it is light weight, built of pvc pipe and chicken wire, and can be moved from place to place in our yard.  The chicks are six or eight weeks old right now.  When we brought them home from the farm store they were little peepers, all yellow and soft...and as time has progressed they have grown wings and are too big for the big old dog cage that we kept them in at first.  They are growing fast, almost too fast for me to read up on the subject so that I am able to give them the nutrients they need and watch out for the rainfall and high wind, the parasites and wildlife that might hurt them.  They are chicks now, but in no time at all they will probably be giving us eggs....which is why we are raising them.  

Another thing that brings me outside every day is our garden.  It, too is six or eight weeks old.  It was cold out when we put the cabbage and broccoli and cauliflower in the newly tilled dirt and the groundhog said there would be six more weeks of winter.  That didn't happen, so it has been touch and go with the heat and harsh sunshine making us wonder if the winter crops will mature before the hot summer kills the plants.  So far so good, we have a little broccoli and there's a brand new tiny little cauliflower out there and the asparagus is coming up, none of it enough to make a meal from, but enough to make Mike and I feel like planting the garden was worthwhile.  We also have tomatoes and bell peppers, the two things that grow the best, and lots of onion and even some potatoes.  Our garden is not a big thing, but it is something that makes me want to hop out of bed in the mornings.

Perhaps retirement is not everyone's cup of tea.  Perhaps life in Arkansas is too slow moving for some.  Perhaps not everyone collects rocking chairs or likes to sit in a porch swing or rock in a hammock under the trees.  Maybe some people want to be able drive to a big shopping mall every day and shop more than once or twice a week.  But, me, I think back on the rat race, driving to work every day, deciding what to fix for supper before I go to work and needing to figure out something for lunch every day and to be sure the laundry is done so I have the right clothes to wear to work, and I'm glad for the peace I find in retirement.    I don't miss the tiny yard or the neighbors or the homeowners association or the airplanes overhead or the noises of traffic on the highway.  I'm glad to be here where the occasional noisy truck or popping motorcycle passing by on the road in front of our house makes me stop to look.  I'm happy not to have any need to get used to those things.

Springtime Azaleas and Camelias bloom in our back yard.  The GumBall trees are gone.

I remember bits and pieces of this kind of life when I was young.  Living here makes me sometimes think about the farm my grandparents lived on.  Sometimes I think about the huge garden my Uncle has in front of his house right now today.  Sometimes I think about the little colored chicks that I got for Easter one year, watching them grow and crying when it was time to make dinner out of them.  Sometimes I think about learning to drive a tractor or about picking pecans shaded by huge old trees that dropped them.  I'm glad to have all these memories.  It makes me think less often about the sad things that life brings and makes me seek the joy and count the blessings.  It has made me today think about my blog and how I want to start writing in here and talk about the little chicks and about the pleasure of Crystal's visit!  Spring is here! Today the windows are all open and the sounds and smells of the world are making my life good.

Gypsy's puppies...Red and Blue are four years old now.  They'll always be puppies, though.

R.I.P. Eva Miers Baldi

There is a sadness in my heart because  my daughter Eva has is no longer with us.  I will miss her terribly.   She died unexpectedly but peacefully in her sleep on January 31 of unknown causes.  Eva was living in Coushatta, Louisiana caring for the livestock for the owner of the farm there, Jerry Williams.  When I spoke about her at a memorial service on February 3^rd, I speculated that perhaps she was there with us that night knowing  that we who knew her and loved her wanted to honor her memory.

Eva will be greatly missed. She had many friends and much family.  Even though it pains me to have lost my daughter, I feel bad for all those who will miss her and who will not see her smiling face.  No one will hear her honk when she travels down the road or hear her voice yelling ‘hey’ across the parking lot.  She won’t wave at anyone again and no one will get a quick text from her to say Hi.

Eva was born in Lafayette, Louisiana and when she was in high school she moved to Many.  She was married to Tony Baldi  in 1985 shortly after she graduated from Negreet High School and reached the age of 18.  The two were married for twenty six years.  Eva and Tony have a daughter Ashley who is married to Chris Hilton living in Saratoga, TX.  Ashley and Chris have a daughter, Zoey, age 4 who can always know that her grandma loved her very much.  Eva and Tony have a son, Craig who lives in Many and Natchitoches who is not yet settled.  Craig has a son Anthony Craig Baldi Junior whose mother is Felicia Hippler Weaver.  Boo can always know that his grandma held him when he was a tiny baby and snuggled him and tickled him and made him smile.

I know in my heart that Eva has gone to heaven and heaven is a better place. She must be even now with her two grandmothers, Irene and Jane who would have welcomed her joyfully.  I know Eva has already been greeted by those who have entered before her.  Maybe she has already seen her father.  She is probably with her Aunt Marjean who loves her and her Great Aunt Georgene who'd remember her as a 4 year old.  Maybe she has seen her grandfather Homer who died when she was 3 or her step grandfather Gadget who was always good to her.  They would all be standing in line to see what a wonderful person Eva became on Earth.  Perhaps she has even seen some that she never met on earth, her great grandparents and her great Aunts and Uncles.  Perhaps she is holding a baby even as we speak or doing some other thing she loved.  At peace there without problem or pain.

Eva was one of the sweetest persons imaginable and a good friend...the kind of
person who lends a hand and always is thoughtful of those who need a little help—After his heart surgery she stayed with my own father for two full months away from home and making him completely comfortable, the two of them buds and taking care of everything, the house the bills the appointments.    When I visited her in Many,  I can remember going with Eva cleaning the church on Saturday before Sunday services.  She never forgot to go to visit Papa Tanner or Granny or Miss Betty who lived near her in Sportsman’s Paradise.  Bringing them a smile and helping with their chores.

Eva was always a good friend, the kind of friend who never loses contact with someone she cares about.  When she gets together after years and years of distance she takes up the friendship right where it left off.  In the past few days I have gotten calls from Eva’s friends in Virginia and in Louisiana and in Colorado, childhood friends who were saddened at the news of Eva’s passing who told me that Eva was full of unconditional love.

Eva lived a good life.  Even though short, it was a full life.  She was able to do so many of the things others might not have a chance to do...seeing her babies grow up and graduate from school and have babies of their own. She traveled and visited with her husband and children all across America. In spite of problems with dyslexia she took the time to read and study and after high school, Eva went back and earned an an associates degree from Sabine Parish Technical School in Many when she was older than any other student there.  I speak from the heart when I tell you that it was my pleasure to be able to get to know Eva closely during her adult life and to work with her regularly for several years and be not just her mother but her friend.  Eva enjoyed life.  She was a big person with big hair and a big smile and the biggest part about her was always her heart.  Eva gave love and allowed herself to be loved all the while that she was here with us and I for one am gladdened to have known that love from her.

Eva has been a wonderful mother and always paid close attention to how she raised and educated her kids so they'd be the kind of adults that they are today. Ashley is a wonderful wife and mother to her own husband and child. Craig has become the man he is because his mother influence.  Both of them young, their lives are full of promise, and Eva lived to see much of that promise come to fruition and to be a part of both their lives.  I know they are saddened to lose their mother but I also know that she gave them the tools to go on with their lives and to spread the goodness and caring that was Eva.

Please don’t forget Eva and her little family in your prayers.  Pray that she be welcomed into heaven to sit with her Father and find peace and respite from her problems and pains.  It’s through us that she will live on and be a part of our lives and the beauty of her soul and the largeness of her heart will always be with us.

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