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Photo taken July 2007
Our memories build a special bridge Poem By Emily Matthews |
Over the years I have lost some who were very dear to my heart without having them really say “Good-bye” — it leaves a terrible void — a deep feeling of loss and helplessness — and so for that reason I am creating this webpage. No, I am not dead yet, as a friend of mine would say -- at least not at the moment that I am preparing this -- but this is simply my way of leaving something behind to say Good-bye “In Advance” to any who may feel this loss when I too pass on. I love you all — thank you for being a part of my life
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I've never really seen the point of keeping a Journal (in my teenage years it was called a Diary) until now . . . I turned 50 this year. It's hard to believe so many years have gone by, but on the other hand, it's really just a blink of an eye. So where do I start to relate some 50+ years of experiences, happiness, sorrow, loves, hopes and dreams? Seems an impossible task -- now I wish I had jotted down some notes through the years. The memories are sometimes hard to recall, but perhaps the pictures saved here will jog some of your memories -- for all those who I hold dear in my heart. After all, don't they say a picture is worth a thousand words? I hope you will enjoy the pictures and memories. Here are just a few brief thoughts for some special people in my life: To my Parents who brought me into this world and took very good care of me -- sometimes we don't appreciate all that our parents do for us when we are growing up, until we ourselves are grown. Thank you for always being there for me. I Love You. To all my cousins from PA -- always remember our roots -- growing up in the country -- playing in the woods and creek, riding our bikes, Mt Gretna Camp, Girl Scout Camp, going swimming at the Hershey Pool, trips to the shore with Grandma and Grandpa, building our "clubhouse". We had fun - didn't we "cuz" ? And for my closest and dearest high school friends -- Dolores (Dee), Bev, and Mike -- always remember those carefree days -- the football games -- school dances -- The Hummelstown Square -- school trips to New Hope with our creative writing class -- The Falcon Flash and The Libertarian -- Choir practice -- working at the Snavely Rest Home -- sleepovers and going out soaping windows on Halloween -- sledding on Kanode's Hill -- movies at "The Hummelstown Rat House" and at The Hershey Theatre -- the Senior After-Prom Party -- and graduation. We said that we would be friends forever and keep in touch -- some of us did -- some of us lost touch for a while -- but we finally found each other again thanks to the classmates website and our Lower Dauphin Alumni Directory. (As Bev would say - "Yea!" ) Dee, we were so close in High School that I always felt that you were more my sister than just a friend. I thank you with all my heart for introducing me to The Truth and now I can actually call you "my Sister". And Mike -- I am very proud of the man you became. You're right -- no one in high school would have ever believed you would become an officer of the law, but I always knew that you would do well for yourself. It was wonderful to see you again in Denver, after 25 years of wondering what happened to you. Robert said he could tell that you were happy to see me -- truth be known -- I was glad to see you again also.And to Bo -- I'm sorry things didn't work out. We had some good times. And as always when we look back, it's the good times that we remember the most. I hope you have had a happy and peaceful life. |
And Robert -- what can I say -- You have been my life for so long -- I can't remember a time without you -- we know each others strengths and weaknesses -- we've shared so many happy moments and some sad as well -- and through it all we stuck together. I guess that's what love is all about -- sticking it out through the good times and the bad. Thank you for taking care of me and putting up with me all these years. I don't know what I would do without you -- I am so thankful that I met you that day in Sister Carr's front yard. I'm proud of all that you have done for us -- I respect you -- I appreciate you -- and I Love You more than I can express. Debbie & Tony -- You've been our best friends for nearly all of my married life. We've shared a lot of memories and good times and some sad as well. It is my desire that our friendship last an eternity. To all my Brothers and Sisters in the Truth -- we share a special bond -- a friendship and a love that emanates from Jehovah and his organization and through it we have a brotherhood that spans the earth. It is very dear to me, as are all of you that I know personally. One day soon, under Jehovah God's New System and Christ's Kingdom Rule we can enjoy the peace and security that so many long for now. (Psalms 37:10, 11, 29) Jehovah's purpose for a paradise earth will be accomplished as he originally promised and all sickness, death and sorrow will be done away with (Revelation 21:3,4) as Jehovah's Sovereignty (Genesis Chapter 3) is no longer under attack and question by our enemy Satan. The Bible then promises that all our memories will be good -- any former bad memories will not even be brought up in our minds (Isaiah chapter 65) -- how refreshing that will be. To Erica, my dear niece -- your father's eyes and smile live on in you -- you are truly beautiful, both inside and out. I wish I could have spent more time with you. And now you've started a wonderful family of your own -- I think I told you this once before, but you picked the very name I had wanted if I ever had a son -- what a coincidence -- huh? Remember our blood ties and that I Love You very much. And finally, to all my family members, my family as well as Robert's -- we shared so many experiences and memories that it is impossible to relate -- but do know that I cherish every one of them. And as I write this I am reminded of those who have already passed on (grandparents, my brother Ed, my sister-in-law Jo and my Dad) -- and I remember something I read once that goes like this -- "When a loved one becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure" -- I will always treasure those memories I have of these dear departed ones. And likewise, as time goes by, something every now and then will spark a memory from the past, and I hope you will smile in remembrance of me, as I do now of all of you. Love to all . . .
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