A life forever remembered - a legacy left for us all

This is what I shared at my friend Connie's celebration of life service this past Saturday. I am posting it here because I want to honor her, to use it as a reminder of her legacy and the example she is to us all.

Also, an opportunity for those that were in attendance that couldn't understand what I was saying through my sobs, here is what I said......

I only have two – three minutes to share what I am sure could take 2 -3 hours to tell you about the legacy that Connie leaves behind for my family.

It takes another fiber artisan to understand the value and importance of the size of your yarn stash. I personally know only a few people that have a yarn stash that rivals my own, I think Connie may have me beat.  I will always cherish our fiber bonding moments over the past few years.  

Especially the time our family found ourselves homeless on a very cold night in January during our home renovation.  I called Connie to see if we could take her up on her offer to stay in their home and without hesitation she said yes and to make sure that I brought my yarn so we could crochet by the fire.

I’m sure that anyone who stepped foot in her house left with a hat.  Just a couple of weeks ago Connie gave me a new art lesson using ink, tiles and air.  Always willing to try something new and so very gifted.

Which includes her music ability.  I remember her leading worship one Sunday morning doing camp songs with all the actions.  Always full of life and action.

A couple of years ago, our daughters spent a summer at the Friesen house when Maxine babysat the girls.  It was a summer that they will never forget and they talk about often.  A house full of dress up clothes, art supplies and amazing hiding places for ultimate games of hide and go seek and the place that they were introduced to Dutch Blitz.  I have never seen firsthand Dutch Blitz in action in the Friesen household but my daughters insisted that we needed purchase and play this game and the girls have obviously been taught by the masters because I cannot beat them. 

Not only was their home a “fun house” but the love and acceptance that the girls received from the whole family during that time makes my mama heart overwhelmed.  Connie’s example of unconditional love, generosity and acceptance lives on through her children.

The other day, Nevaeh and I were having a chat about all the reasons that we love Connie.  I believe that life is a series of lessons, I call them Character Building Exercises.

Nevaeh and I learned from our sharing time that all the qualities that we love about Connie are all things that we can do and share with others through our own lives.  Each one of us have been created for such a time as this.  It is up to us how we choose to use it.  

Connie was created for her time and she touched so many lives.  We are here today because she made an impression on us all.  My prayer is that Connie’s spirit of generosity, faith and kindness will live on through our family - that the reasons our hearts hurt so badly are the same reasons that will inspire us to live each day with and on purpose.  May Connie’s legacy live on through us all.