What a fantastic day yesterday was! We were overwhelmed to see the church full of so many friends and family and couldn’t have asked for a better tribute. We certainly felt the love! Thank you for all of the kind words and reflections you have provided us over the last week. My sisters and I loved hearing how much we remind you of her. Whether it is how we look, how we move, or how we sound, these are the greatest compliments we will ever receive!  Don’t ever be afraid to tell us when something we do triggers her memory. We can only hope to be so lucky to be able to bring just a little bit of her to those around us.

But, before we leave…have we got a story for YOU!

Those of you who know my mom well, know that she had a fascination (slight obsession?) with the “Share a Coke” campaign.  She loved finding the names of friends and family. In fact, last week we found a bottle at the condo with the name of one of her great nephews (We will get yours too you soon, Tanner!).  Some of you may have also heard the story about a certain someone who found a “Wood” bottle about a year ago at our local pizza place. (Wood, of course being her maiden name.)  And how that certain someone took a picture of it and sent it to her…without buying it. Shame on that certain someone!

Ok.

It was me. 

And I take full responsibility for creating the subsequent obsession.   

Unfortunately, when she went back to the pizza place to buy it…it was gone.  She never stopped looking for it, though. Just ask my dad. He was the poor guy standing at the grocery store for all those extra minutes as she dug through soda case after soda case on the great search. Sorry, dad!

Fast forward to yesterday.  After I left the funeral luncheon to head home, I stopped at the local Dollar General for a few things...dressed to the nines in my funeral dress and beach flip flops. Of course, I had to stop and do a little digging through the Coke display in one of the aisles.  I am my mother’s daughter, after all.  And a little bit of guilt makes for some good motivation. After coming up empty handed (yet again), I paused my search until the next time. At the checkout, I was faced with more bottles. Without opening the case, I could see they were the same names from the display I had just searched.

Disappointed, again!

A cold Coke did sound good, though. So, I opened the case, grabbed the middle bottle from the top shelf, turned the name to me…and there it was…

Wood

She is all around us. We look so forward to many more of these happy surprises as we go through life.  And when it happens to you, know that she is looking down and smiling, for her reach is far greater from Heaven than it ever was on earth!

Much love...Jim, Jayme, Molly, & Lacy