My friend Carol Cook Rodgers passed away this week....shocking everyone! I created this tribute for her on Facebook using a photo from a Halloween party a few years back and a gorgeous QP by Linda at Random Thoughts at Linda's Place. Carol and her husband Ken joined the motorcycle riding chapter that I belonged to in 1997 after they purchased a Pearl White Goldwing. She always told everyone to not breathe a word of it to her mother if we met or saw her, because they had not told her about the motorcycle. Ken and Carol were very active for the first few years of joining, even fixing breakfast at their home for the chapter, cooking jalapeno poppers at one of many Halloween parties, inviting us the their new home when they moved to another city, being an escort in the Hotter than Hell 100 for bicyclist, escorting the Toy Runs, becoming staff members promoting motorcycle safety, planning rides and participating in all the various events the chapter supported. Their teenage daughter, Krystal, was always included in these events as we watched her become a beautiful young lady. Their son Kraig was away at school, married and gave them their first grandson Micah that we have seen grow up, then Chase and Cami came along! Carol always had a big smile and kind word for everyone. She was a "throwback hippie" kind of laid back, but when she got "started" she was so hard to stop. She had wonderful and kookie ideas (which is very important at some of the events we attended). She loved Ken and her family to paraphrase "more than life and to the moon and back again". She lost her beloved Ken in 2004 and asked the chapter to ride their motorcycles to the National Cemetery in full chapter dress, then afterwards we gathered at a restaurant to celebrate his life...very memorable event. Carol and Krystal stayed as active with the chapter as they could with them being so far away, we didn't get to see them as often as we would like, but we had e-mails and Facebook to stay in touch. Carol had recently gotten her real estate license and worked with an agency in Granbury. She had been fighting a case of Acute Bronchitis when God decided he needed this special lady to come live with Him and Ken to ride on their Wings of Gold. Her funeral will be this coming Wednesday, a sad day for sure, but as with Ken, we will all gather to celebrate her zest for life and what she meant to all of us! My heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to Krystal and Kraig and his family! Remember all the good times and be comforted that Dad and Mom are together again, watching over all of you! .Goodbye my friend, I love you, my life was enriched and blessed for knowing you! Mat
I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend. Your memorial is quite lovely. My daughter Audrey and her hubby rode with the bike toy runs for many years. They still do whatever they can to support them.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a while, and I've wondered how you've been. Hopefully, all was well and you're close to having a really nice tenant moved in.
We've been busy here gearing up for a long cold spell, and decorating for Christmas. Both the cats are beginning to get along, and the "cat" house out on the porch welcomes any strays who need a warm place to sleep.
Life is good. Now it's time for me to make us some lunch. You have a wonderful day, hugs, Edna B.
Boa noite, querida amiga Mat!
ReplyDeleteEspero que a tristeza em virtude da morte de sua amiga diminua, que Deus dê forças para os familiares e amigos dela suportarem essa perda.
Mat, meu marido já está muito melhor e espero que fique bom logo, obrigada pelas suas palavras de conforto.
Desejo a você e a sua família uma semana muito linda e feliz, com muita saúde!
Abraços, Neli.
Sorry to hear about your friend, and I think it was rather unexpected? Hard times, always for family but also for friends, having to say goodbye in this life.
ReplyDeleteYour tribute to her is beautiful. It seems to have been a lady that stood full in life and tried to enjoy it to the bottom.
Of course you feel sad, but you have so many good memories to cherish, thank God we can have memories and hold them in our heart.
On her funeral you certainly will shed a tear, but also try to give a smile, because your friend deserves that.
No succes yet with a good tennant for the condo?
That too should be settled now, gives you lot more peace of mind too.
Sending a hug to you, and one extra for Wednesday,
Kyra
Translated by Google...
ReplyDeleteGood night, dear friend Matt!
I hope the sadness due to the death of his friend decrease, may God give strength to her family and friends bear this loss.
Matt, my husband is already much better and hopefully get well soon, thank you for your words of comfort.
I wish you and your family a very beautiful and happy week with good health!
Hugs, Neli
So sorry to hear about your friend. We just never know, so it is so important to tell those special people that we LOVE them. Have a Merry Christmas my friend, my thoughts are with you.
ReplyDeleteLove and Hugs Donna