Last week I helped celebrate my cousin Ronnie's life. 

Looking through the photos afterward, Claire Bidwell Smith's words kept coming back to me…

"Even in the midst of all this pain and sadness I see something beautiful."

 

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I snapped this one of Ronnie's sister Cindy surrounded by her daughters, grandkids, and great-granddaughter because of the palpable feeling of support they gave her, as well as the sweet hug and kiss of comfort from a grandson to his grandma. I had never even met some of these generations before, my own cousins once or twice or three times removed.

 

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I had to capture this smile on my mother's face as she met her great-great niece, Khloie, and the proud smile on Khloie's grandma's face.

 

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Representatives of the Veterans of Foreign Wars paid tribute to Ronnie's military service with a few words at the graveside ceremony. 

The man in overalls on the far left was Ronnie's neighbor, a good friend who drove Ronnie to and from his many doctor visits. 

 

 

 

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Charles and Howard are brothers, my cousins. 

I had good visits with both of them on this day. 

I can't remember the last time I saw either one of them. Perhaps it was at a funeral.  It makes me sad to think the next time I see them will probably be at another funeral.

 

 

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Martha and my mom's friendship goes all the way back to when I was a baby. (They went to high school together, but weren't friends then.) Martha's sweet face always appears in those times when Mama needs support, reminding me of my own longtime friends. (I wonder what they talk about when I'm not around?) 

 

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Tex-Mex for lunch afterwards with my parents and sister, Brenda. 

Mama and Daddy aren't often this dressed up. I used this opportunity for a photo shoot. Daddy made me work for it, though.

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"Well, that's okay, but Daddy, this time remember to look down just a little so the flash doesn't bounce off of your glasses. And smile!"

 

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"Hmmm… better, but Daddy this time don't take a bite of food before I take the picture and really smile! You know I'll keep taking them until you do what I tell you."

 

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 "That's it! Perfect!" (He knew I meant it!)

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12 responses to “Beauty in the Midst”

  1. Rae Sinor Avatar
    Rae Sinor

    AHHH! Such sweet words and pictures…So funny these last ones of your Mama and Daddy! They are so precious Barb!!! And my friend…when you’re not around…all we say is that we sure wish that you were!!! XOXOXO

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  2. Pauline Avatar

    Love the way your mom’s smile keeps growing through the photo shoot 🙂 You look a lot like her.

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  3. lisleman Avatar

    Good work getting your dad to smile. I like your cousin’s white beard.

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  4. Jennifer Richardson Avatar

    there is something so so dear about this.
    makes me teary, somehow.
    and your folks are absolutely beautiful.
    maybe it’s the love shining in their faces:)
    (maybe that’s what chokes me up)
    beautiful share, Barbara.
    -Jennifer

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  5. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thank you so much, sweet Jennnifer!
     

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  6. linlah Avatar
    linlah

    Looks like a lot of love and support which is all so beautiful

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  7. Wolf Pascoe Avatar

    Leave it to you to make a funeral a thing of beauty.
    My long-time neighbor died a few months back. He was in the Navy during World War II. At the service at St. Paul’s, there was a Navy honor guard. They played Taps right in the church. Not a dry eye in that house.

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  8. Wolf Pascoe Avatar

    Leave it to you to make a funeral a thing of beauty.
    My long-time neighbor died a few months back. He was in the Navy during World War II. At the service at St. Paul’s, there was a Navy honor guard. They played Taps right in the church. Not a dry eye in that house.

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  9. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I can only imagine… I cry every time I hear taps played. One memory of its playing stands out the most, by a Boy Scout at a church service following 9/11. So heartbreakingly beautiful!

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  10. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    It IS work getting him to smile! My brother and husband, too. What's up with them? Sigh. My cousin told me he grew his beard because his shoulder is messed up and he can't lift the razor. lol I think it looks good, too (he's lucky in that respect, at least!)
     

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  11. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I take that as a great compliment! Thank you!
     

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  12. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I feel the same about you!! 
     

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