Yesterday, I posted some notes that family members have been writing to Gigi but I hadn't brought myself to write one until late last night. Remember, yesterday I said I was in my anger phase but through the help of some close friends I was able to move out of it. Once that anger left me I was finally able to open up, think clearly, and write my thoughts out to Gigi. Here is my post:
I have been working on saving each post that your friends and family have written since the day this journey started & I've decided that it's my turn to share my thoughts. It will probably be random but you know that's how most of my stories are!
1. I love that the first time we met I had Southern Maid donuts in hand. I would later come to find out that they were as much of a favorite to your family as they were to me. I also didn't realize on that day that about two & a half years later you'd be bringing those very donuts to me while I was in labor with your granddaughter!
2. I love that you love all Julia Roberts movies like I do!
3. I love that you love Elvis & his movies & that you always try to make Chops sing. I promise to think of you every time I watch an Elvis movie from now, on.
4. I love that we have so much in common!
5. I love the story of how you and Pops met. You guys are one of the sweetest couples I know and I hope that when Chops and I have been married 30+ years like you have we will still have the same sparkle in our eyes that both of you have.
6. I love Christmas at the Phillips house. I'll admit, it took me a couple years to get used to the chaos but now it really is one of my favorite Christmas traditions!
7. I love that when things are crazy in my family you are there with a hug and a smile.
8. I love our girl chats in your living room that go until all hours of the night. I especially love that during most of those conversations you are holding one of your grandbabies who have fallen asleep in your arms.
9. I love that you said you'd be a fan of Tech or Texas depending on who got you a shirt first. Since I got it done I love that you'll always be a Tech fan!
10. I love your phone conversations with Chops. Those times are the sweetest and funniest moments and yet they always somehow involve a conversation about politics.
11. I love that sometimes when I look at Kate I see glimpses of you.
12. I love that you are a Cowboys fan!
13. I love that you have opened your heart to kids who need homes even when everyone thought you were crazy. You have no idea how much those kids have inspired and afffected my life.
14. I love that you & Pops got married at a young age & that you supported Chops & I when we chose to do the same. I know that people probably thought you guys were crazy like they did with us but you knew that you met the love of your life and that's all that mattered.
15. I love that you put on family vacations. They are always crazy, always eventful, never go as planned, but they are a Phillips vacation & that's how it should be!
16. I love that you made me more flexible and not a person who always has to stick by a set plan.
17. I love the family that you & Pops created. Each of them is so unique but I love each and every one of them for how special they are.
18. I love that every time I hear about Chicken Spaghetti I think of you! ;)
19. I love that you are always supportive of whatever Chops and I do.
20. I love that you considered me part of the "triangle" that became the "diamond." (You know what I'm talking about!)
21. I love that you are an inspiration to so many people, even people you haven't even met. Through this journey I've received different messages telling me what an inspiration you are and how your stories have taught people so many things even though they have never even met you. You are leaving a legacy behind that is priceless. I hope that I will be able to sufficiently describe all that you are to your grandchildren.
22. I love that my last moments with you were filled with more laughter than tears. When I get together with you there is always laughter and fun times so I'm glad that was still true to the end.
23. I love that you raised the man of my dreams. Chops wouldn't be the man he is today without the guidance from you & Pops. I know it must have been challenging to raise him but you never gave up. He is the spiritual leader for Kate and myself. He is a provider and hard worker. He is funny and intelligent. All of his traits are reflections of the upbringing you & Pops gave him. I don't even know how to begin to thank the woman that put in all the hard work and challenges to make Jonathan who he is today. I owe you eternal gratitude.
One of my fondest memories of you was when I was at a Premier seminar with you & Nicole helping take care of Nevaeh. Chops and I had been married for about 5 months. You & I were having dinner and it was then that you told me that I saved Jonathan from the path he was on. You shared personal things with me that I never knew. I knew that it was part of my purpose in life to be Jonathan's wife but what you said to me gave that a whole new meaning. I will treasure those words forever. Another great memory of you is when you drove to Lubbock to be there when Kate was born. You were only there long enough to hold her for a few minutes before you had to go back home but it was so special to me that you were there. It kills me that you won't physically be there when we have our next baby someday; however, I know that you will be there in spirit. I pray that we will have a reminder of you on that day like we had a reminder of Papa Chuy the day Kate was born. I'm so crushed that our kids probably won't have memories of you but I promise to tell them about you and remind them how much you love them. I'm heartbroken that you won't physically be here anymore but I am grateful that part of you lives on in Daniel, Nicole, Jonathan, Jennifer, Matthew, Jennifer Gail, Dylan, Malachi, Kiana, Nevaeh, Marcus, Landon, Kaden, Kohl, Kate, and any other babies in the future. I hope that Jessie, Kenta, myself, Oscar, and Rob can each live up to the expectations that you prayed for as the spouses of each of your children.
I love you Gigi, I hope I can carry on your legacy. I'm happy, and a little jealous, that you will be meeting Jesus soon. We will all miss you so much but we know that we will see you again some day. Thank you for all that you are and all you have done.
Wes' latest update about hospice: 10:00 pm
We are settled into the Houston Hospice facility and it is a wonderful place for Cindy to be. At one time, this was a home reserved for the mayor of Houston. It is a converted mansion and is beautiful inside and out. There is a beautiful garden area here and they have the ability to actually roll patient beds out onto the grounds just to enjoy the sunshine, flowers, and beauty of creation. We are so blessed to be here. Beverly Terrell made a return trip to see Cindy today and it is always a wonderful time for them to share some time together. Please continue to pray for God to do things that only God can do. There are several people that are very close to us who have had extremely challenging days today. My heart goes out to them and even though you may not know their names or circumstances, their day today and the several that follow may be much more difficult than ours. May God continue to bless all of you out there who continue to lift us up. Please pray for my kids and extended family, this is a hard time for them.
Kim,
ReplyDeleteReading this makes me wish I had the type of relationship with my MIL as you do...but it also gives me hope that someday I can have that with my DIL! She sounds like such an inspiring woman. Yall are still in our every prayer!