Below is the eulogy I gave at my mom Linda Knoth s funeral last week. For those that might not have been able to stay for the service, or could not make it that day. I share this with you. My brother Bobby Knoth, my sister Lori Knoth Conn and I can hardly express the thanks and heart felt overwhelmed feeling we have had on the outpouring of love and support for us, our children, and our mom. These words of thanks come from our core, hearts, and souls when we say thank you. 10/26/14 Amazing, beautiful, loving, caring, vivacious, soulful, gregarious, funny, quirky, silly, real, honest, solid. These are just a few of the words that come to mind when we think of our mother. She was a friend, caregiver, confidant, partner in crime, a grandma, a mema, and our mom. Just yesterday, going through old family photos, I was reminded of the love and caring we were given growing up in this family. Family - always family. We knew who our great aunts and uncles were, our great grandparents, hundreds of cousins, aunts, uncles. Family. Mom made sure of it. I think it was in part for us so we could know who we were and where we came from, roots, but now I know more than ever, it was because she was so very very proud and so full of love, she just had to share it with the world. I have been given a special gift on this day. I found in a box, the letters she wrote to my father the morning after I was born. (he was in Vietnam at the time) A full week of letters detailing every little thing for dad so he would have the full experience even though he was so far away. Love and pride gushing and beaming. It wasn’t an in your face kind of thing. It was just who she was. I could read in her words, feel the emotion, how her whole world had changed in that instant. Like hers and dads purpose had become crystal clear. Mom told me once how wonderful her life was, to have been able to marry her soul mate and then have three children. The fun and adventure it had become as we all grew up together. And then to be blessed with 6 grandchildren. She had hit the lifetime of love jackpot. Now this adventure was not always sunshine and roses mind you. Many a day we would test to the very edge of her being. But she always parented with love and honesty. We knew when we were being punished and why. Or got a slap from “the belt” or got the dreaded, “wait until your father gets home” But this was all before today’s new way of parenting. Hell this was before seat belts! My car seat was a piece of plastic and wire, and it was held on the front seat by my moms arm as she would apply the brakes. So the adventure continued on as we grew and had children of our own. Again the Love and pride gushing and beaming as each of her grandchildren came into all of our lives. Adrienne - her miracle baby Natalya and Kasey - her points of light Liam and Nicholas - her little men Maggie - her sidekick and partner in crime Love, Pride, gushing and beaming These children were her life. She thought of, loved, called, checked on, drove, shopped, baby sat, the list goes on and on. She lived for these kids. And how blessed are all of them to have a part of her with them always. How blessed are all of us to have a part of Linda with us always. Mom was literally born to be a mom. She started young, being the little lady in charge of her brothers, Jimmy and Bill and her sister Susan. From what I remember they “let” her think she was in charge but still, she started her organizing and take charge attitude young. She met my dad, and him being the suave dude that he was, asked her out. She said yes, and here we are today. A lifetime of memories and a legacy to carry on. They worked hard, so very hard in the early years. We had barely much, but we felt we had everything. As time went on and the hard work paid off, we grew up knowing the value not only in material things,(the trips, parties, cars) but the value in hard work and in people. That is the true gift we have been given. Value, Honor, Truth, Love. I stand before this group today, overwhelmed by the out pouring of love for my mom. From long time friends of days gone by growing up here, when we had the Mobil station to recent friends from mom’s years at SUNY New Paltz. When I see the notes and memories from the lives she has made a difference in all these years, I am in awe. Here this woman stood before me, yeah, she was my mom. But she was and is sooooo much more. She was amazing, beautiful, loving, caring, vivacious, soulful, gregarious, funny, quirky, silly, real, honest, and solid. I close with this: You can shed tears that she is gone or you can smile because she has lived You can close your eyes and pray that shell come back Or you can open your eyes and see all shes left Your heart can be empty because you cant see her or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday. You can remember her and only that shes gone or you can cherish her memory and let it live on You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back or you can do what shed want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
Posted on: Sat, 08 Nov 2014 03:47:13 +0000
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