A Day Of Rememberances

A Saturday of

Celebrations of Life

and

Mourning

and

Remembrances

A

day of

gatherings

to

Celebrate them HOME

This morning

many will gather

here in Clearwater Florida

to honor and remember

to

celebrate the life

of

a beautiful woman;

Mary Labyak

the "grand dame"

of

HOSPICE

...

Don Schumacher, The CEO/President of

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization

I'm sure will speak today

of his old and trusted friend...

He is a passionate and loving man

and

leads Hospice from up there

in

Northern Virginia

with

mission, vision and purpose.

I hope to see him,

and

am sure he will miss

Mary and her circles

cycles

phases

and

sage wisdom...

Together they were a remarkable

force!

When this picture was taken I remember Mary looking at it and saying,

"That's a pretty good picture, of 2 ole' Hospice broads isn't it!"

And then she laughed that

marvelous laugh of hers!

And it was a Good day!

Mary set a standard back in the day;

she spent her life

working for Hospice

and its mission, values,

and circle of caring.

Oh I miss back then!

I'm certain that many will come from all over our country to pay their last tributes,

just as many will come to see and be seen as well.

Through the years, one cannot rise to such a level without becoming weary

and without having those who rise up against you, you will make your share of enemies

and

there will be those who hug you with a knife in their hand and a smile on their face at the same time;

yes

even in hospice.

BUT

today they will gather,

they/we will remember;

a woman of greatness

who stood tall

and

spoke with a voice that could fill the room.

As mighty her humor and laugh

she could be as serious as a heart attack as she advocated as a Social Worker of the finest caliber.

They just don't make em like

Mary Labyak anymore!

><

We have to remember the pioneers,

to say their names,

to honor their contributions

and

stand for all that has been done

to pave the way

and

to continue to set the bar and keep the vision

mindfully.

We will honor a woman who gave great service to the Hospice world

to people and their loved ones

in communites across the Nation;

for the greater good of our country and the world;

people needing help at the end of their lives

upon diagnosis of a life threatening illness.

A woman who stood toe to toe

with many;

and went to Capital Hill

and was relentless in helping to make those there understand the importance back in the day

of having hospice services covered under

Medicare and Medicaid

and took a STAND

to provide access to Hospice services.

Mary thank you for your care and your service.

You will be missed,

you have left a profound impact

and

legacy

leaving shoes that are large to be walked in!

It is to be a day of

painful loveliness for many

as she is remembered.

Now, although gone too soon,

Mary is over the rainbow, she is in spiritland,

the heavens have a powerful force to reckon with...

She is dancing on the galaxies to be certain,

it is her time now!

Dance on friend,

over the rainbow

with splendor

and

that remarkable laugh.

><

Many thoughts and prayers

surround

Taft and Mary's family

now.

Taft Abras is a man I will always hold dear to my heart; alway will love in a place where there is no space or time, just as I loved Mary.

><

And up there in the state of

New Jersey,

hundreds if not thousands will gather at the church

where Whitney Houston

grew into the star that millions loved.

She will be remembered

she will be grieved

as people are still trying to wrap their hearts and heads around

the reality of her death.

T.V.'s are still at full tilt,

Nancy Grace is having a "hay day" with interviews and speculations

and

the media is a buzz.

the private funeral and service

will be broadcast live

on cable and the internet.

Seems to be odd that something private is being shown live

but

what do I know?

My deepest sympathies to

her daughter, her Mom, her beloved family as they struggle through today

and the many tomorows

that stretch ahead of them.

><

I hope and pray, they all have an "off" button on their televisions... a big body guard or three at their doors...

and a therapist that is NOT known to hollywood,

(I can recommend one for them)

><

It is a day of

Remembering I'm thinking.

and

with that said,

Let me end my thoughts with:

Let us also remember

IT is a Day

for the living

and

remembering to

live each day

with all you have!

It is a day

of great gratitude

for it is the only day we know.

Treat this day

and

YOU

with extreme kindness.

YOU

never know the path that another is walking;

not really.

We may say we "get it"

we "understand"

we've "been there"

BUT

truth be told,

YOU do not know,

YOU have not been in their precise and exact shoes...

YOUR feet don't fit exactly in another's shoes...

ONLY yours.

YOUR footprint is like your tongue,

it speaks and knows only

YOUR TRUTH

...

Walk YOUR walk

speak YOUR truth

and

practice kindness

practice unconditional positive regard

...

With that said...

Thank you to those who have served our great Nation

those who Are serving

...

We DO live in a great Nation,

if you don't think so??

Well there are other places you can try...

But this is OUR country,

show your Pride

and

let's stand together

for together we are stronger

than if we stand apart.

Just keepin it real friends,

JUST KEEPIN IT REAL!

"If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together... there is something you must always remember. you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you.” Winnie the Pooh

Walk in Beauty,

DRSES

Healing Heartaches,

(one beat at a time)

www.drsherryeshowalter.com