In Loving Memory
Barbara Philbrook
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First I want to thank everyone for coming today. I can't tell you how much it means to my family and I to have our friends around us. We know you are here not only for the love you have for my mother, but the love you have for us.
My mother was a truly phenomenal person. For the past few days I have heard wonderful stories on how she has touched so many of your lives. Not just recently, but for some of you the past thirty years or more. I thank you for being her friend. She was my best friend and I'm going to miss her friendship very much.
I don't know whether everyone knows this, but my brother and I were adopted. I know he shares my feelings when I say we feel special - my mom and dad choose us. They wanted us more than anything else in the world. My mom lived every day of her life from that day on letting us know that. In her thoughts and in her actions, she let us know she loved us, and for me that is the most important gift any mother could give their children - the gift of unconditional love. That is the kind of love we share in my family. The kind my mother shared with my father. Through their actions, I learned how to love my husband. They taught me that it's okay to be angry at one another, but the love is still there. We saw it everyday - the hand holding, my father playing practical jokes, and my dad rarely came into the house without kissing my mom. Yes, theirs was a special love that grew and taught me the true meaning of marriage.
As my brother and I got older, it was really hard for my mother to let us make our own mistakes. She wanted things to be only easy and perfect for us; but as time went by, she took pride in knowing that she did a good job by us, that she raised us well. I know she was especially proud of my brother's accomplishments. I'll never forget when he left home to go to school, she was really worried about him. Heaven knows, my brother didn't like new experiences and this was taking him so far from home. I remember what a pain he was one time when we went to Disneyland. He cried all the way there - he didn't know what to expect. Now he was going all the way back East to school. Wow... but he did it and that make her proud. She was forever bragging about him. Yeah, I would say she's done real well by us. She was a great mom and I learned a lot from her.
Her words of advice and experience were invaluable after I had kids. She was a great nana to her grandchildren. She not only loved them with all her heart and soul, she loved being with them. She appreciated each one for who they were and she valued that person. I guess I can say that's how she viewed all of her friends, with thoughtful consideration - always thinking of the other person. What would make that person happy - that was my mom - always thoughtful.I have to tell you, my family and I were to arrive here the day after Christmas. My mom had everything taken care of - what foods we like were here, the gifts she bought were all mindful of the person she was giving it to. I can tell you, I was angry at God. Not letting her share this time with us; after all her preparation - it wasn't fair. But I have come to realize, and accept, this was God's plan. For all intensive purpose, He took her on Christmas day, and she had a wonderful day! I talked to her three or four times, she talked to her grandchildren, my brother was here and she had conversations with many of you. This was God's plan. he took her home to Him on her favorite day - how she loved Christmas! I truly believe he only takes special people on Christmas. This was the day he sent His Son to earth. This thought has brought me great comfort.
It's hard to let mother go - but I know she was ready to go spiritually and mentally. I know she is watching over us and she is happy. So mother, sleep with the angels, I love you - we all love you and we will carry your laughter and spirit with us all the days of our lives!