Words cannot express the heartache and sadness I have felt with the loss of my Dodie, but I am honored to speak and say a little bit about our beloved matriarch.
Dodie was a person of great integrity and great style. She led with her heart. She instilled in me that family should be the most important aspect of our lives. Every birthday and every holiday was spent in that extraordinary Lakeview home. Dodie loved having her children, grandchildren, and, most recently, great grandchildren, spend time and grow up in that home. My twin Brandon and I always looked forward to times at Dodie and Papa’s. We walked away with too many gifts AND money. It was awesome! But that was Dodie and Papa’s. They were and are a gift in itself!
Dodie was an incredible woman and she showed unconditional love and kindness to those around her. Her sweetness always left me smiling and happy I saw her. Her adoration and care with all of her flowers throughout the years really rubbed off on me.
I am thankful that Dodie was able to see my beautiful 8-year-old daughter grow into such a solid and happy young lady. Summer swimming, Sophie’s birthday parties, epic Easter egg hunts… So many great memories have been made in that home. Memories that stay with you…ones that molded my brothers and I into better and stronger individuals. Family was everything to her as it is to me now!
My grandmother’s presence is dearly missed but I take solace in the precious memories of a life well-lived. She had it really good and she deserved it.
Dodie, my heart aches knowing you are no longer with us on earth, but I know you are watching over us. Your light shines on through us all, Sophie, the Bushes, Wrights and Woodwards.
The thought of you and Brandon in Heaven together helps comfort and console me in this time of pain and tragedy. I know that someday, we will all meet again. I love you.
It is with immense gratitude, honor and love that I end with this excerpt from a poem:
We miss your grace and kindness,
Your love is still our guide,
And though we cannot see you,
You are always at our side.
If tears could make a staircase,
And heartaches make a lane,
We’d walk the path to heaven,
And bring you home again.
I LOVE and MISS YOU DODIE.
Please give Brandon a big hug for us.