Attending a funeral really makes you think about the legacy you are leaving. How do I treat people? What will my friends and family say about me? You touched my heart in childhood, Lorraine and 25 years later you've moved me in your death. I wish I would have known you these past 25 years.
I think of Lorraine and am sad. But I also have many clear memories of times with Lorraine and they make me smile.
I remember her when she was very young with Lisa. You were so proud of your daughters.
I remember when you changed the girls' bedrooms. You fixed their rooms so their beds were in the same room, like a dormitory. I don't know who was more excited you or them.
I remember how brave Lorraine was when she was going thru surgery and treatments for cancer. She was so young. She always had a strong faith even then.
I was happy to have Lorraine babysit Katie. Katie always looked forward to her coming. Lorraine always brought over books to play activities. She was always thinking of other people and what they would like.
I hope you remember me, I was the redhead that lived one floor up from Lorraine, in Susannah Wesley at FERRUM COLLEGE.
I felt a deep need to personally extend every deep felt sympathy to you and your family on losing Lorraine. Even though it's been many years since most of us from our Ferrum crew have seen Lorraine in person, I can honestly say that she was one of those people that you just don't forget. I was blessed enough to have met some wonderful people during my time at Ferrum, most of which I have remained in contact with since leaving. The one regret that I have is that I lost contact with Lorraine for such a long time, I thank God for Facebook that we were able to reconnect after all those years and I was able to have some time with her again even if was over a long distance.
I most remember Lorraine for her laugh, her smile, her never ending sense of optimism and that boundless thirst for life unlike any I have ever known. I suppose that her illness taught her the most valuable lessons on living every day of your life to the fullest and I'm proud to say that, that is one of those lessons that I learned from her. I wish that Lorraine could have had that much longer to fulfill more of what she would have wanted to do with her life, but I feel certain that in the time she was given she made a great impact on all of us that knew and loved her.
I can also guarantee that in the short time we all knew Lorraine, she left a little piece of herself inside of everyone she encountered and I am no exception to that. I look at my husband and my two children and realize how fortunate I am and it is folks like Lorraine that have taught me to be grateful and never to take all the good things of my life for granted.
I know that there is nothing any of us can say that will ease your pain at losing Lorraine and though we may not feel it as deeply or strongly as you and your family do, know that we are grieving alongside you all the same. Unfortunately the distance from Virginia to Florida is too great for me to attend Lorraine's funeral services, but be assured that I and the rest of us from Lorraine's Ferrum crew will be there in spirit.
I will keep the photos and the keepsakes I have of Lorraine close by and I assure you whenever I see them, I will smile and think fondly of her. Time will never erase the loss, but I hope and pray that someday we can all remember the joy and laughter Lorraine brought us and find peace and comfort from them.
For now, just know that those of us that were blessed enough to have had Lorraine in our lives, even for a little while, will never forget her and will keep her in our hearts always until we all meet again at that Heavenly gate of eternal peace. Sending all of my deepest sympathies and prayers to you and your family.
Yours Truly,
Kristin Gladstone Thomas
