In loving Memory

It is hard to get back into the swing of things after watching life drain out of someone I loved. Even so, I am ever so thankful that I was able to be there, holding her hand, brushing her hair, and talking her ear off up until the very end.

FYI: I fell in with the Lawrence Welk Show. Gram's and I listened to many a youtube clip of it this weekend. It was her favorite. You should so look it up.

Gram's did not want a traditional funeral/burial so there will not be a service of any kind. She told Dad that she didn't want us looking at her dead body. I understand completely. Made me smile when I heard that because I have told Josh a million times if something happens to me please don't embalm me or hold a viewing/funeral service. Just bury me, right away, with a small graveside service if you must. Makes me feel like that part of me came from her. I like that. I however don't want to be cremated because I am looking forward to this raggedy body busting out of my grave one day... that is if Jesus doesn't get here & I don't get to fly up outta here sooner. Still though it feels weird not having a service of any type. It feels like we are leaving something undone. I can't tell Dad though so undone is how its going to be. I seriously wish we could at least hold a memorial service where I can show pictures and stories & find closure because I feel a funeral is part of the grieving process and she needs to be honored in this way... but I don't want to go against my Daddy.

I guess this post is just going to have to be that. Although I don't have the pictures and stories all together right now so you'll probably get bits and pieces of it for a while to come.

My version of Grams obituary follows. I'm pretty sure Dad edited some before sending it to the Fayetteville paper. It will cost $300 to print so I think I used to many words and Dad didn't chop enough... o'well. At least I can share it with you. My dear friends and family...

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Sarah Jean Marriott, 80, of Fayetteville NC died Monday, August 27th 2012 in the wee hours of the morning.

Sarah breathed her last at home surrounded by her family. An old woman full of years she was gathered to her people who proceeded her in death. Her Father David Gladstone Brown and her Mother  Hazel Hilton. Her five brothers and baby sister Thelma Louise.

Born in a home with no electricity on July 15, 1932 in Pulaski NY she spent her childhood helping her mother in the kitchen and being teased by her five brothers. When she graduated from High School she was known as the gal with the zest for practical jokes who wanted to be a nurse. A career she ultimately postponed to be a Mother.  She married Clifford Drake and they had a son Clifford Jr. They were married until his death from cancer.

She fell in love again and married Harold Marriott & they added three more boys to their family. Chris, Dug, & James. Once her children grew up she completed her training to be a LPN thirty four years after graduating high school. She worked at the VA hospital in Syracuse NY until moving with Harold to the Fayettville NC area where her very first Grand Baby was born. In 1985 her birthday present was a girl baby at last! {me} She continued working as a nurse at the Fayettevill VA. She never lost her zest for practical jokes,  once calling the cops to report her car stolen after letting a family member borrow it.

Harold succumbed to cancer and she never remarried; instead, she devoted herself to her Grand Babies and her career until she retired from the Fayetteville VA hospital.

After retirement she focused on loving her four grown sons, four grandchildren, and most recently her 5 (so far) Great Grands. She had loved her family well and she enjoyed getting to read, shop at yard sales, collect antiques & paint.

She has left behind a great void in the hearts of her sons, { Clifford Drake of Camden NY, Chris Marriott of Fayetteville NC, Dug Marriott of Benton KY & James Marriott of Fayetteville NC.} her grandchildren, {Erica Hamilton, Jennifer Marriott, Greg Marriott, & Cameren Drake} & her Great Grands Kayli, Katherine, Kori Brooke, Lilly & Brayden.

Her life prayer was "I give you my life. Help me to be what you want me to be." Words that would do well for us all to live by.

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Thanks for sharing with me in this. I appreciate all who have shared their prayers and condolences with me. Thanks for loving on my family and for holding us up. I can not say it enough.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!