Gary And Stephen Armstrong

for margaret

BEING A MOTHER..

After 17 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to

Take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She

Said, 'I love you, but I know this other woman loves

You and would love to spend some time with you.'

The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit

Was my MOTHER, who has been alone for 20 years,

But the demands of my work and my two boys had

Made it possible to visit her only occasionally.

That night I called to invite her to go out for

Dinner and a movie.

'What's wrong, aren't you well,' she asked?

my mother is the type of woman who suspects that a

Late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign

Of bad news.

'I thought it would be pleasant to spend some

Time with you,' I responded. 'Just the two of us.'

She thought about it for a moment, and then said,

'I would like that very much.'

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick

Her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her

House, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous

About our date. She waited in the door. She had curled her hair and was wearing the Dress that she had worn to celebrate her last Birthday on November 19th.

she smiled from a face that was as radiant as an

Angel's'. 'I told my friends that I was going to go

Out with my son, and they were impressed,' she said,

As she got into that new white van. 'They can't wait to hear about our date'.

We went to a restaurant that, although not

Elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my

Arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat

Down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only

Read large print. Half way through the entries, I

Lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at

Me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. 'It was I

Who used to have to read the menu when you were

Small,' she said. 'Then it's time that you relax and

Let me return the favor,' I responded.

During the dinner, we had an agreeable

Conversation- -nothing extraordinary but catching up

On recent events of each other's life. We talked so

Much that we missed the movie.

As we arrived at her house later, she said,

'I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me

Invite you.' I agreed.

'How was your dinner date ?'

Asked my wife when I got home.

'Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined,'

I answered.

A few days later, my mother died of a massive

Heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't

Have a chance to do anything for her.

Some time later, I received an envelope with a

Copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place

Mother and I had dined. An attached note said: 'I

Paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I

Could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two

Plates - one for you and the other for your wife.

You will never know what that night meant for me.

I love you, son.'

At that moment, I understood the importance of

Saying in time: 'I LOVE YOU' and to give our loved

Ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is

More important than your family. Give them the time

They deserve, because these things cannot be put off

Till 'some other time.'

Helen (Family Friend)

April 13, 2009

i miss you

Hi christmas and new year were hard guys i am on to ask the three of you to look down on babs for me on tuesday for me as she gets her op please look after her for me and wish mum happy birthday too love forever helen x

Helen (Family Friend)

January 4, 2009

WISH WE COULD BE TOGETHER
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Thinking of you
Makes the miles disappear,
Together we're looking at bright decorations,
Enjoying what we like to do,
Thinking of you makes the miles disappear~
For you're missed very much
All year through…

So just because you're
Far away, don't think
For a moment that you're forgotten.
I'm thinking about you because loving thoughts travel far,
And wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a New Year
Full of wonderful things
Wish we could be together.


*♥* MERRY CHRISTMAS ANGEL IN HEAVEN *♥*

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☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆hope your 1st christmas together is full of fun please watch over joe angie and joseph as this year will be harder for them love forever helen x

Helen (Family Friend)

December 15, 2008

When I come to the end of my journey
And I travel my last weary mile,
Just forget if you can, that I ever frowned
And remember only my smile.
Forget unkind words I have spoken
Remember some good I have done
Forget that I ever had heartache,
And remember I've had lots of fun.
Forget that I've stumbled and blundered,
And sometimes fell by the way
Remember I've fought some hard battles,
And won, by the close of day.
Then forget to grieve for my going
I would not have you sad for a day
But in summer, just gather some flowers,
And remember the place where I lay.
And come in the shade of the evening
When the sun paints the sky in the west
Stand for a few moments beside me,
And remember only my best.

Helen (Family Friend)

December 8, 2008

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Last night at bedtime I looked out
To say goodnight to you,
And out the window through the clouds
A star came shining through.

It sparkled and it twinkled
Like a precious diamond stone,
It looked as if it winked at me
And I felt less alone.

On earth we can see starlight
Even if the star has gone,
And though you are not with me
Your light still does shine on.

So though I cannot see your face
Or your smile so bright,
I'll look to heaven, see a star
And whisper your goodnight.

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Helen (Family Friend)

December 8, 2008

FOR MARGARET AND ANGELA

We walked together, you and I
A Mother and her Daughter
We had Hopes and Dreams for tomorrow.....
But tomorrow didn't come.

We walked together you and I
We talked, we laughed we loved.
We shared so many happy times,
And for that I am thankful

We walked together, you and I
But only for a short time.
For all too soon it ended
Leaving pieces of a broken heart behind

And even though I miss you
More than words could ever say.
I thank God that I got to walk with you
Every precious moment of every day....

Helen (Family Friend)

December 8, 2008

I stood by your bed last night;
I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying you found it hard to sleep.
I spoke to you softly as you brushed away a tear,
'It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here.'
I was close to you at breakfast,
I watched you pour the tea,
You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached to me.
I was with you at the shops today; your arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.
I was with you at my grave today; you tend it with such care.
I want to re-assure you, that I'm not lying there.
I flew with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.
I gently landed on you; I smiled and said, 'it's me.'
You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair. I tried so hard to let you know, that I was there.
It's possible for me, to be so near you everyday.
To say to you with certainty, 'I never went away.'
You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew...
in the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.
The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning and say 'good-night, God bless, I'll see you in the morning.'
And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I'll fly across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.
I have so many things to show you,
there is so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out...
then come home to be with me.

Helen (Family Friend)

December 8, 2008

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Gone are the days we used to share,
But in our hearts you are always there,
The gates of memory will never close,
We miss you more than anyone knows,
With tender love and deep regret,
We who love you will never forget.

Helen (Family Friend)

December 8, 2008

♥ ♥ MY BROKEN HEART ♥ ♥

♥ ♥ My heart feels oh so empty ♥ ♥

♥ ♥ Its shattered broke in two ♥ ♥

♥ ♥ Theres nothing that can mend it ♥ ♥

♥ ♥ As it broke when I lost you ♥ ♥

♥ ♥ So my heart will just stay broken ♥ ♥

♥ ♥ For all my living days ♥ ♥

♥ ♥ I will always love and miss you ♥ ♥

♥ ♥ In a hundred million ways ♥ ♥

Helen (Family Friend)

December 8, 2008

♥ ♥ ♥ MEMORIES ♥ ♥ ♥

Precious and painful ...bitter and sweet
eched in my heart ...ever so deep.

We all have them ...and some are so dear
wouldn't trade them ...for years and years.

Some so painful ...wish you'd forget
leaves you feeling ...nothing but regret.

Memories I'll cherish ...till the day I die
when out of this earth ...my spirit will fly.

And when I'm gone ...and you are still here
just close your eyes ...and I'll appear.

Memories you'll feel ...like a sweet gentle kiss
savour the moment ...the feeling of bliss.

The warmth of the sun ...the smell of the rain
memories envelope you ...in all of your pain.

I know you'll be sad ...but try not to grieve
as after all ...memories I leave.

Hold to them tight ...don't let go
memories of the heart ...I cherish them so.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Helen (Family Friend)

December 8, 2008