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GRANDMA Jean Rutledge : Oct 10, 1917 – Aug 25, 2007
In LOVING Memory…. ~ A person who loved me very much. ~ She showed me right from wrong. ~ She kissed my cut fingers and watched over me when I was sick. ~ She was very patient and taught me the Golden Rule. ~ She put up with kittens, guinea pigs, dogs and even hamsters. ~ She always made sure no one EVER left her table hungry. ~ She had a good memory – she knew her “Judy Bug” loved chocolate cake, BBQ’d steak and potatoes. ~ She taught me how to read – I can even remember the book – “Green Eggs And Ham”. ~ She was very wise – she helped to shape my morals and gave me unconditional love. And, I know that wasn’t always easy! ~ She was a Tooth Fairy, a Room Mother, a Vet, a Cook, a Maid, a Teacher and a Lady. ~ She never asked for anything in return.
My debt is far more than could be paid with money. But you know, this woman would mark “Account Paid In Full” for 3 words. That lady is MY GRANDMA & the 3 words are “I LOVE YOU!”
Grandma I love you more…. And THANK YOU for ALWAYS “being there” whenever I needed you. I am truly BLESSED. With ALL my Love, Forever your grand“daughter” Judy (I wrote this to my Grandma in October, 1976 for her 59th birthday. I was 19. I will read this at my Grandma’s Memorial 9/7/07. My 2 sisters totally agree with my thoughts. My Grandma and Grandpa raised us and we miss them both - but will see them again in Heaven).
Flowers are lilacs, planted in place Ready smile from wrinkled face Sometimes in flannel of Grandpa’s hues. Soft, veined hands that are well-used Frail and small yet strong of will Twinkling eyes, with wisdom filled Sense of humor, gentle touch Close to those she loved so much Crazy marbles on Friday night Al Martino records, what a site Hershey’s, Snickers and sometimes Mars Candy hid in front room jars Texas storm cellar, cozy and black Preserved this and pickled that Fireflies and humid nights Fishing in deepening twilight Yuma Summers learn to swim Singing of a favorite hymn Fractured collars and black eyes Broken jaws and waffle highs Girl Scout cookies, band parades Yearning for the Olden Days Farm fresh eggs and dairy milk Handmade dresses, curls and silk Nursing sick ones day or night Mount Rubidoux’s Easter Morning hike Fireworks 4th of July Thunder storms light up the sky Mosquitoes, horned toads, tiny frogs Arizona’s old petrified logs HOT Ice cream at Grandma Too’s Taught to always tell what’s true Childhood full of love and wonder Memories of golden Summers Grand Canyon’s large but just a hole Compared the loss here in my soul Until in Heaven we shall meet Again together on golden streets ~©9/2007 Judy Inman
Several songs were played and sung during Grandma's Memorial. Here are a few...
Grandma's & Grandpa's SONG: I LOVE YOU BECAUSE, sung by Al Martino
- I love you because you understand, dear
Every single thing I try to do You're always there to lend a helping hand, dear I love you most of all because you're you.
No matter what the world may say about me I know your love will always see me through
I love you for the way you never doubt me. But, most of all I love you 'cause you're you.
(I love you because the future's brighter) (The door to happiness shall open wide)
No matter what the world may say about me I know your love will always see me through
I love you for a hundred thousand reasons, But, most of all I love you 'cause you're you. CLICK HERE to listen...
The song below is how we felt about Grandma and Grandpa. They were ALWAYS there for us.
~ Because You Loved Me ~ Lyrics (Celine Dion)
For all those times you stood by me For all the truth that you made me see For all the joy you brought to my life For all the wrong that you made right For every dream you made come true For all the love I found in you I'll be forever thankful baby You're the one who held me up Never let me fall You're the one who saw me through through it all
You were my strength when I was weak You were my voice when I couldn't speak You were my eyes when I couldn't see You saw the best there was in me Lifted me up when I couldn't reach You gave me faith 'coz you believed I'm everything I am Because you loved me
You gave me wings and made me fly You touched my hand I could touch the sky I lost my faith, you gave it back to me You said no star was out of reach You stood by me and I stood tall I had your love I had it all I'm grateful for each day you gave me Maybe I don't know that much But I know this much is true I was blessed because I was loved by you
You were my strength when I was weak You were my voice when I couldn't speak You were my eyes when I couldn't see You saw the best there was in me Lifted me up when I couldn't reach You gave me faith 'coz you believed I'm everything I am Because you loved me
You were always there for me The tender wind that carried me A light in the dark shining your love into my life You've been my inspiration Through the lies you were the truth My world is a better place because of you
You were my strength when I was weak You were my voice when I couldn't speak You were my eyes when I couldn't see You saw the best there was in me Lifted me up when I couldn't reach You gave me faith 'coz you believed I'm everything I am Because you loved me
I'm everything I am Because you loved me
SHE'S SOMEBODY'S HERO was requested by Heather - my daughter, who stayed with Grandma and took care of her 24/7 except when we were out of town at a dog show. (Our awesome family came to stay with Grandma when we were gone).
~SHE'S SOMEBODY'S HERO~ by Jamie O'Neal
She's never pulled anyone from a burning building She's never rocked Central Park to a half a million fans, screaming out her name She's never hit a shot to win the game She's never left her footprints on the moon She's never made a solo hot air balloon ride, around the world, No, she's just your everyday average girl (but)
She's somebody's hero A hero to her baby with a skinned up knee A little kiss is all she needs The keeper of the cheerios The voice that brings Snow White to life Bedtime stories every night And that smile lets her know She's somebody's hero
She didn't get a check every week like a nine-to fiver But she's been a waiter, and a cook and a taxi driver For twenty years, there at home, until the day her girl was grown Giving all her love to her was her life's ambition But now her baby's movin' on, and she'll soon be missin' her But not today, those are tears of joy runnin' down her face
She's somebody's hero A hero to her daughter in her wedding dress She gave her wings to leave the nest It hurts to let her baby go down the aisle she walks right by Looks back into her mother's eyes And that smile lets her know She's somebody's hero
Thirty years have flown right past Her daughters' starin' at all the photographs Of her mother, and she wishes she could be like that Oh, but she already is
She's somebody's hero A hero to her mother in a rockin' chair She runs a brush through her silver hair The envy of the nursing home She drops by every afternoon Feeds her mama with a spoon And that smile lets her know Her mother's smile lets her know She's somebody's hero
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