Memere's Eulogy

When first asked to give this eulogy I was surprised, then honored, and then I was terrified. When I sat down to start writing, I had to look up how to write a eulogy. I read examples, looked at templates and searched for ideas. I tried to find jokes to throw in since Memere always had a "cute one" ready for me when I came home from school. I tried to find poetry that would work to add a professional element. Nothing seemed to fit Memere or really work. Finally it occurred to me that the best way to write this was my way. How could someone who didn't know that wonderful and strong person that she was possibly know how to write her eulogy? So I'm going to do my best and hopefully she will enjoy listening, and will forgive me for the things I leave out or forget. 

Several years ago I had a conversation with Memere about her funeral. I can't remember what brought it up but we discussed that she already had everything planned out. I jokingly asked her if she would want me to write her eulogy and I made up something silly. She immediately told me that she had written her own eulogy and obituary because she couldn't trust anyone else to get everything right and remember everything she had done. And she was right, I can't remember everything. But in my defense she did about everything that was available for her to do in Van Buren. I will try to tell you all about the things I remember her doing and the things she talked about the most. 

There are two things that Memere was most proud of outside of her family: her education and her work ethic. Each thing of course has a story attached. Memere told me the story of how she started school quite often. She would beg her mother to be able to go to school, promising that she would be good and not like her brother Bee (who I could only guess was the mischief maker of the family). Finally she was old enough to go to school and she was so proud that she was there and always the top of her class. On her first day of school she found herself a desk, sat down and claimed her territory. Then as soon as she was able she began to work. At a time when most women were pushed to find a husband and pop out babies, Memere went to work and learned how to be independent. She worked at a store, she worked in the potato fields, she worked as a mother, she worked at the bank, she worked at the motel, and finally she worked for the people in so many volunteer positions I have lost track. 

When I moved in with Memere, back when I was still in high school, she was involved in so many organizations she had a place to be every day of the week. While I'm sure I am forgetting some, I do remember that she has been involved in the Housing Authority, Friends of the Library, the Columbiettes, the thrift shop, the mercy meals committee, the church choir, and probably 30 other things that have faded from my mind over the years. She used to tell me that she did all these things to keep her going and to be around people. She loved it so much she even got me involved helping with the thrift shop on occasion and I spent many hours volunteering at the library as well. She loved to socialize more than anyone I have ever known. We would go to lunch at Robin's and I would go sit, by myself, for at least fifteen minutes, while she went from table to table and greeted and spoke with every person in the restaurant. She was also very involved with anything connected to her Acadian heritage and was thrilled to be able to be a part of the Acadian World Congress in 2014. She loved to tell the story of Evangeline and Acadian history of the area to anyone that I brought around who wasn’t from the Valley. 

Memere was so very proud of her family. She would tell anyone who would listen about her sons, her grandchildren, and eventually her great-grand children. The places of honor on the walls of her home were given to the pictures of the generations that came before and those that followed her. Baby pictures, senior portraits, wedding photos, and random snapshots showed the love she held for her family. Some of my earliest memories from childhood are the holidays we spent at her house. The smell of cooking food, the dogs running around and the mix of French and English being spoken while the adults sat around the table talking and laughing. For me those memories are what family has always been about. In those moments, those memories, the true meaning of home is shown. Going back home has always meant going to Memere's. 

I believe that a person’s legacy is determined by how they affected the world and people around them. I like to think that this entire town and all of us here along with countless others, have been touched and changed by Memere allowing her to live on through all of the good that she did in her life. The world will certainly be a little darker and a little sadder for a while as we adjust to her absence. As time passes I would encourage you all to look around you and inside yourselves and see where she still lives on, in the way that she has made the world a better place for all of us to remain here, even when she could not. She instilled in me a love of volunteer work and helping others wherever I could. She taught my fiance some French and a love of Chinese macaroni salad. I see her in the way my son laughs freely and without restraint, finding the joy and humor in life, and I know that she is still here with us. She will always be here anywhere there is joy and laughter. 

MEOW!

(The spaces indicate a page break and each page would have an accompanying picture of course.)


Aww...how cute! See that little ball of sweet, white fluffiness? That's me - Apollo. And that black pile of purring fur next to me is my brother Socrates.

Our mother spends a lot of time at work so this house is pretty much ours. But we let her stay here at night. After all, it's cold in Maine at night.

During the day we get to do whatever we want. Mostly we sleep. In case you didn't know, that's a cats favorite thing to do.

Sometimes we play hide and pounce. I always win of course. I'm wicked fast and smart.

Whenever we can, we sneak upstairs to bug Alex. He's such a silly cat, he thinks this house is his.

Mom even got us a new toy that moves on its own. It's called an Annabelle...whatever that is.

We like to lay by the windows too and try to catch the birds and bugs that fly by. Sometimes flies get in and make a crunchy snack.

Then we eat as much as we can. If our bowl is empty when Mom comes back we get to sass her.

Every once in a while we throw a party and have friends over. But it's too hard to clean everything up every day so Mom won't know. 

These are our friends : Koko, Damara, and Kallisto.

Most days we are happy to see Mom when she gets home. And she is always happy to see us!

That's a cat's life in a nutshell for you. Now I used some important nap time writing this down for you so I hope you enjoyed it. :)

Snowy Daydreams

The most magical day of the year occurs the moment the very first snowflake falls in the eyes of a child. Or perhaps for those of us who still feel the pull of winter with the anticipation of our inner child. In that moment a million daydreams spring to life with images of a snowman with funny shaped parts and a well-loved scarf to keep him warm. The feeling of flying as you reach maximum velocity sliding down the steepest hill known to mankind. The shimmer of snow turned to ice on a cold night that lets you open your own diamond store. The smell of exhaust mixed with cold that can only mean a great day of snowmobiling was had. Building the greatest fort ever only find that the kindergarteners ruined it at recess and stole your snow. The rush of jumping into a pile of snow and not being entirely sure of how far you will sink before you stop. Knowing that the coming of the snow means that Christmas is nearing and all the wonderful things that come with it. Family gathers, traditions are preformed, presents all around, songs to be sung, enormous trees, parades, and best of all the smell of your memérè’s cooking floating out from the kitchen.

Snow is just as important up here as the harvest season. Our economy depends of the snowmobilers who come all the way from Massachusetts and farther to sled on our trails. The local stores do great business selling warm clothing for the cold months, so good that they start in August. We have winter fun days, winter carnivals, and snowball dances at school. We teach children how to make snowflakes out of paper to encourage their creativity. We even have our own vocabulary for all things related to snow. For example, it could be light, fluffy, sticky, heavy, powder, crusted, or wet. Then when it falls it could be a dusting, flurries, snowfall, a wintery mix, a storm, a blizzard, or my favorite, a Nor’easter. Our meteorologists have to work overtime in the winter months.

Winter, and all that which it encompasses, is the most important time of the year for those of us who have grown up here in the County. Most of our year is centered around the cold and the snow, either living in it or preparing for it. It is such a large part of our lives that we even have snow days built into our school calendars, and if a year goes by without a snow day we feel righteously betrayed. I’ve seen the black and white photos of older family members cutting ice on the lake, I’ve seen the old snowshoes and skis, and I’ve heard the stories of families huddled around the woodstove for warmth and using snow to make a sugary treat. I could never imagine my life without the winter and the snow to mark the passage of time. What would children do in the winter without the snow banks constructed solely for their benefit? But best of all is seeing all the little children come in from the cold with red noses and cheeks and an enormous smile on their faces.

Too Loud

Too loud, the sounds

I can’t get out

My head, so full

Of pain and doubt

I tried to run

But just stayed stuck

My life is stalled

I’m out of luck

No place to turn

No hand to take

I can not stop

My heart will break

Family

Like a lost little kitten

You took me in

When I was alone

And needed friends

You gave me love

And showed me care

And now for you

I’ll always be there

We move along

And grow apart

But we’re always together

Within our hearts

Precious Gift

A memere’s love

Is hard to replace

A gentle hug

And a smiling face

If I could bottle it

And sell it in stores

No child would be sad

Or alone anymore

It’s a special gift

That I get you too

So this year for Christmas

I’m thankful for you

Years Behind

The thoughts swirl round

Over and over again

Finally I wonder

If this time I lost it

I can’t figure out

Why I act the way I do

My emotions are a mess

What’s wrong with me?

Pathetic is a way of being

The only way I can find

Sometimes it seems to me

Like I’ve fallen years behind

Take two steps up

Fall ten steps down

Then watch someone else

Get to wear the crown