Magnificent Mama Mary

Our sweet Mama Mary, was not contrary,
in fact ~ she was rather divine.
She was teacher, mother, student, hugger;
A special friend of yours and mine.

Her time on Earth was way too short;
yet, in fact, it was longer though too;
for she was told twenty years ago,
"Your heart is almost through with you".

Yet, with a whole lot of faith, she persevered;
I'd venture to say she was even blessed.
That doesn't mean her life was easy,
but she tried to see life at its very best.

When she was still able to run and play,
she loved to entertain all in a game.
Young, or old . . . or so I've been told,
she always remembered your name.

She called so many her cherished children,
and others were sisters, loved from the start.
While some of these were by luck of blood,
others were dear by choice of the heart.

She loved good food, comfort so good;
and worshiping . . . not just on Sunday.
Singing out praise til the end of her days,
a day filled with God was a fun day.

She'd rather us smile than cry now,
though our life was so blessed with her graces.
Her beauty now shines in the pretty white clouds,
where she's surrounded by heavenly faces.

__________________________________________

Rest in peace my sweet Mama Mary
Mary Olcott (10-15-1946 to 12-10-2011)

I wrote this about Mama Mary on the morning she got her wings....

A beautiful woman just got her wings and sits beside Jesus now. My sweet Mama Mary.....my soul+sister (my bestie Connie Lueke's Mama) just lost her fight to live.

I went to see Mary & Connie within the last 2 months. We thought she was close to going then. She got a last gift of life.

Mama Mary & I texted each other almost daily until 5 days ago. I would send her a 'Good Morning Mama'...and send her a bible verse. She would respond with, 'Good Morning my little ladybug'. She inspired me. Our souls connected.

I told her I wanted to write my life story, to touch people & share their stories too. She encouraged me. Said she wanted to read it, so get started. So I did. I wrote 7 pages......and sent it to her....typed in a nice big font. Connie printed it for her. She read it and loved, it encouraging me. I typed up 7 more pages in one day....they've been sent, but she never got a chance to read. (I found out later she did in fact read the last pages....)

Its ok Mama, I got you the beginning, just like I promised. Please remember I love you....you touched my heart in so many ways I never expected. You were a bonus Mom to me....for 2 months. Yes, I've known u longer...but I'll never forget these last 2 months or the inspiration you shared.

Mama, may you rest in peace, celebrating w God, Jesus & the angels.

I will always remember.... 'I can all things through Christ who strengthens me' ... Just like you taught me. I listened Mama. I've grown because of you.

I miss you so much already...I will cherish every text message & the one voice mail I'm lucky to have.

Please hug my daddy in heaven....

I'll love you always, and share your story in my book.

I never know when tears may fall. I inherited a certain 'toughness' from my parents that sometimes presents itself at times like this.

Today it fails me...as tears run down my cheeks.

Its ok.

I want to cry...

I welcome the tears, mourning...yet celebrating a very blessed soul.

So.....

"Good Morning Mama...I love you. You can just speak to my soul now...I'll listen....."

And.....

"I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me"
Philippians 4:13

I love you and miss you Mama....

Little Byrdie - Fly Home

Linda Kay was born one day in Nineteen Thirty-Nine.

As the fourth child of twelve in all she proudly took her place in line.

Vohnell, Herbert and Jerry came first, followed by Linda Kay.

She brought such joy to life; each day to her was a blessed day.

Charles and Larry joined them next. then Deloris and Mary came too.

Shelia and Phillip; Myrna and Betsey—oh, how their family grew.

The stories and laughter shared by all made memories along the way.

We'd like to share a story or two about our beloved Linda Kay.

A younger Kay once tricked her way out of getting mason jars clean.

She said, "You should do it" to younger Dee, because your hands are smaller and lean.

A trip once to the Memphis Hospital led to her meeting Elvis - The King!

The right time and the right place—so lucky to be in that hospital wing.

The story of Elvis and others too, she told her tales and they were many.

She used her imagination well and could spin a story, even out of a penny!

Niece Teresa remembers Aunt Kay on an Arkansas trip of blackberry picking.

And has memories of river float trips too, plus family reunions with talking and sitting.

Dishing out love in food and hugs her potato salad was the best.

Yet her special ingredient was TLC, which made it a step above the rest.

Kay never met a stranger and her heart was filled with such love.

She made you feel so special, like God had sent her to you from above.

She loved her God and read her bible and she even read Christian romances too.

She adored pink and red carnations; yet, give her a teddy bear - she'll forever love you!

In the Swift Ditch and the Current River she taught so many little ones to swim.

She loved cards; rummy, crazy 8's and Canasta and she played with a card sharks grin.

Niece Connie remembers dear Aunt Kay as the wind beneath her wings;

and she'll cherish every moment at her memorial as she sings.

Kay's time on Earth wasn't long enough and we hated to let her go.

We wanted to hang on to her, she had brightened our lives so.

Yet in the end we knew we must give her the wings she needed to fly.

We told her it was okay to go as we wiped the tears from our eyes.

Our Little Byrdie, fly on home, your mission here is through;

and while you rest in Heaven please remember, we love you.

In Memory of my dear friend Connie Lueke's Aunt Kay

Linda Kay Byrd

Oct. 2, 1939 - Jan. 22, 2011