Saying Goodbye is Painful

I had to say goodbye today to someone very, very dear to my heart and it was very painful especially knowing that I would never get to say hello again... Uncle Norman, no farewell words were spoken, no time to say good-bye. You were gone before I knew it and only God knows why. If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died. In life I loved you dearly and in death I will love you still. My heart aches in sadness and secret tears still flow, what it meant to lose you, no one will ever know. A thousand words won't bring you back, I know because I've tried; neither will a million tears, I know because I've cried...   

Many of us gathered today to say our goodbyes and to celebrate your life in the best way we could. You were incredibly special to all of us, one-of-a-kind and we are all missing you terribly. I know you didn't want us to grieve for you, because you are finally free so we shared a great meal, exchanged wonderful stories, hugged and laughed.  And we promised each other that we would continue to find and hold on to the joy in the memories, and let them gently push aside the sadness :(

I can only imagine how joyous the reunion was with all the family members you've lost over the years, please enjoy them and don't be sad for us either.

Love, your niece Deanie - "I'll catch you later."

This last phrase "I'll catch you later" was his very own special way of saying goodbye whenever it was time to do so.

The most awesome thing about coming together to celebrate Uncle Norman's life, was getting to see, reconnect and even meet for the 1st time, other members of the family and to share the rich history of our ancestry. I know many people think that it's really a sad thing that it takes a death in a family for many to gather, and yes I agree it is but I am also thankful that it does pull us from our everyday hype of life, makes us stop for a moment and reconnect with lost love ones...  There is nothing more important than family, sometimes we may not always realize that... but it is certainly true.

  FAMILY, one of nature's Masterpieces

My 1st cousin Amalia Guillory (Uncle Norman's daughter) who I haven't seen in over 30 years. Her dad, (my Uncle Norman) was my mom's baby brother.

Amalia and her daughter, Kayla.

My first cousin Susan Guillory (her dad was another of my mom's brothers).

Front row: Elaine & Susan Guillory (sisters) & me (Annadean Pete-Smith)

Back row: Marvin Guillory (Elaine & Susan's brother), Aunt Diana (Uncle Norma's wife), & Orlando Guillory (2nd cousin, his dad John Landis Guillory & my mom's dad, Charles Colton Guillory were brothers).

2 of my 5 beautiful daughters, Shanel & Sabriya Smith with 2nd cousin to them Susan Guillory.

Again, Elaine, Susan & me.