Claudia, your time has come, and today you have gone home. It comes as no consolation that you have accepted this path, as I selfishly did not want you to go. It has been fun, and loving, and also a blessing, to know you as I do.
It is strange, to know I won’t hear your voice, unless in my memory, and I won’t hear your laugh, that I have so often. I am sad to know you aren’t going to bring cases of peach yogurt home from the store, anymore.
The times when you would teach me the things you had learned, about life and how to live it, about feelings, and how to feel them. Some days I couldn’t understand, or at least I couldn’t see, that you were teaching, and trying to make those of us around you understand. I apologize for the times that I didn’t, and for the times I did not try.
They say with age comes wisdom, and you surely proved that point.
I want you to know that including the instances, of frustration and trial, I knew you loved me, and I loved you too. Thank you for always making it simple to apologize and move on. For letting me off the hook, when I crossed the line or made the wrong choice. Thank you for telling me how pretty the yard looked after I spent so many hours trying to make it just that. Thank you for telling me how much you appreciated how well your new car ran, after I spent all night working on it for you. For saying thank you for everything I did, whenever you asked. Thank you for having me fix your computer every time you caused it to falter, which was frequent, because you never did it right. Thank you for laughing whenever I would mention your hookin’ jammies. Thank you for relying on me to unscramble the TV remote, when you didn’t remember what buttons you pushed.
Claudia, you are uniquely you, and I have been impacted by you in many ways. Not many people have made such an impression upon me, the way you have, nor have many been able to influence me, with such understanding and purpose.
Thank you for turning to me, with such warm confidence, for advise, or to repair anything under the sun. Your trust in me has been carefully protected and I am honored for the manner in which you bestowed it on me.
Claudia, I thank you for accepted me into the family, and for looking out for me along the way. For defending me when you believed I was under attack. Thank you for asking me to drive, every time you wanted to go somewhere, and for not telling me to speed up or slow down. Thank you for regarding me as a full fledged member of your family, complete with all of the benefits and privileges that come with the title.
There are so many moments and pictures in my memory. Pieces of you, and glimpses of the world with you in it. I will carry them all inside me, forever.
I had no idea, that from the day I met you, that we would grow this relationship, and come to love each other so very much. No matter the situation, both good and the not so good, me and you shared a common knowledge,and we were there for each other. We tried to be a team, and most times we sure were.
I am happy that you are with Jack, and with Al, and Elaine.
I hope you remember to tell Jack that I love him, and say thank you for his friendship with me. Please tell him I miss him.
Rest in peace Claudia, you have earned it, and you deserve to feel better.
Please watch over Roxanne, as she learns to go on, and let her know she is a good daughter, and that you love her. Make her know you appreciate all she has done, and sacrificed to come spend these final years with you.
Make her know that she matters, and she is important, and strong.
Let her know it is in these times, we build character, gather strength, and reflect.
Yes, each day now will be different, each one marked by your absence. We will Rely on your spirit, which we all know is so strong, to give balance, in all things that remind us of you.
Your passing brings emotion, enveloping sadness, and pain. You will be missed everyday and in so many ways. Some days I would like to think you might drop by for a moment, just to check on us, or maybe to butt in, or maybe just to make us feel your presence. That would be so nice, and I would like that very much.
Yesterday you went home, and today seems a bit emptier. I’ve enjoyed being your family, and you being one of mine, we will surely miss each other.
Please look for me, the day my time comes. Look for Roxanne, I’ll be the guy holding her hand, telling her to keep it down.
I hope by then, you will have found all the best places to be, so I don’t waste any time getting adjusted.
The only thing about your departure, that makes missing you at all tolerable, is knowing you are no longer in pain, and that you are with Jack and everyone you have missed. It actually makes me smile to know you are with Jesus, and are in such a beautiful place.
Claudia, you were truly one of a kind. A little crazy, a little demanding, and a whole lot of being the one and only Claudia Sundling, that I’ve ever known.
I will never forget you, and I think you are spectacular.
Thank you for sharing a part of your long life with me, as you have imprinted yourself within my heart, and in my soul. I hope you are finding the best deals and the best Valu-Villages that Heaven has to offer.
I will surely miss my good friend, my best mother in law, and I hope I was able to prove to you how very much you mattered to me. Go and be happy, be free, and know I am thankful to have had the times together, that we were family. I love you. Godspeed.