It's Wednesday night and Tony, Beth, Andrea, Chris, Eli and I have said goodbye to the last guests from Linda's Mass today. It was a wonderful ceremony that we hope Linda was happy with. Sometime later, I hope to post Tony and Andrea's eulogies, but that will have to wait for a while.
Last night at the visitation, over 500 people stopped by to say goodbye and tell us how Linda affected their lives in one way or another. While it was exhausting to say the least, it was gratifying to me to see all of her friends in one place and to finally put faces to all the names of students I had heard Linda talk about over the years.
As promised, during the last hour Tuesday night we met in the worship area and swapped stories about Linda. Some were funny, some were poignant but all were Linda. We recorded the whole thing, and above is one of the many memories that were shared.
So now it's your turn. If you weren't able to attend, or didn't get a chance to speak, we invite you now to post your favorite memory of Linda with the rest of us in the comments section. we'd love to hear from all of you.
Luv ya,
Jim
7 comments:
Today's service for Linda was quite possibly the most meaningful service I have ever attended. What a fitting tribute for an amazing lady. We were all blessed to have known her. We were all touched by her love. Thank you for allowing us to share in her journey. Linda may no longer be here in body, but her generous spirit will remain in all of us who try, in some small way, to honor her legacy by following the example she set.
I was there, but there was no way I could hold it together to talk about Linda. I was amazed at those who were.
Instead, I wrote my tribute on my blog, where no one can see me bawling. You can read it here.
Jim, Andrea, Chris, Eli, Tony & Beth..first I want to thank you for sharing Linda / your mom with me. I have always told her that she's the best big sister I've ever had. (she was always happy that I didn't say older!) I just couldn't say what I wanted to on Tuesday night. You'll never truly know what your mom meant to me and to so many students that she loved. On Kairos we started a speech about 6 years ago called MAKING A DIFFERENCE. Your mom initiated it so that she could talk about how a student (Sami) had made a difference for her. How fitting. I don't think I know of anyone who has made such a difference in the lives of so many people - those she knew and those she never met! I had Linda for math my junior year and to this day I'd look her straight in the eye and tell her how much I disliked math. When I came back to teach at Badin, she became one of my very best friends. She was old enough to be my mom, but she acted like she was 25 every day. Her energy, enthusiasm, joy and love of life were contageous! I could truly go on and on but I won't. As I was driving home on Tuesday night I was thinking, "So many people comment after a funeral that it's a shame that people don't get to hear all of those wonderful things about themselves while they are living." Well, Linda did. On Kairos she was told time and time again what a wonderful teacher, mentor, friend, inspiration, and joy she was to so many. I am so glad that I (and so many others) had the chance to tell directly just how much she was loved and what a difference she made. Please know that she'll continue to make a difference in my life FOREVER! Thank you for giving everyone who loved her the chance to share in so many quality moments with her. I will love her forever! Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you ever just wanna talk about my friend Linda or if you need anything. I feel blessed to have such a beautiful angel on my side!
Love ya - Gina
Come now, live in us.
Let us stay in You,
since if we be all in You,
we cannot be far from one another,
though some may be in heaven
and some upon earth.
I just wanted to send that prayer again because it reminds me just how close I really still am to my Kate. We are still really that close to Linda, also. There are times when that "veil" between this life and the next will lift and it seems Linda is standing right next to you. Trust me, I know that it is not the same thing as holding her in your arms, but when some time passes it will be a connection for which you are thankful. It was a beautiful and honoring ceremony both Tuesday and Wednesday. Thank you for your time and effort and emotional investment to allow all of us to say good bye. I will always love Linda and I find peace knowing my Kate has someone so wonderful to play with in heaven.
Linda Wimmers was my friend nearly from the moment I set foot in Badin's door. She made me feel welcome and at home. She accepted me as one of her own. She shared Kairos with me and helped me deal with the stresses of teaching and difficult students. She kept my secrets and treated me to the Celebration. She was ever the optimist and always had a smile.
But none of that is what I loved about her most. What I loved about her the most was the tenderness and compassion with which she fed Robin Hoelle chocolate ice cream as Robin lay dying from cancer. I knew without a doubt that she would do the same for anyone. If she hadn't already secured her place in God's kingdom, she did at that moment.
Those of us who knew her were lucky, those of you who didn't missed a terrific lady.
Just felt like I had to say it.
Regards,
Jean Palmer
Thanks for opening up the blog, I have been kicking myself all day for not getting up to talk Tuesday night. Here is what I wanted to say:
Linda was the most spiritual person I have ever known. However, I never talked to her about God. I have no idea if she went to church. Her thing was action. So many small and large acts of love. And she made it look so effortless.
When my mom was sick, I came up with the idea of taking her to see Tim McGraw (one of her favorites) in concert. Of course, when I asked Linda, she was in. I was a little anxious- you never knew what an outing with my mom would turn into-but with Linda there, I needn't have worried. She packed a cooler full of food and drinks and we tailgated before the concert(with my mom in her wheelchair). We sang, laughed and had a drink, a wonderful night, thanks to Linda and her way of making everything special and fun.
Thanks Linda, for modeling how to live a fulfilled, happy, and loving life. I also have to add that seeing The Wimmers family come together for Linda has touched me in a way that is indescribable. I can only hope to create in my own family what I have been a witness to in the last year and a half.
Linda Wimmers knew how to make people feel welcomed and she knew how to have fun! She helped me through a difficult transition in my life with her kind words, generous actions, and fun loving spirit.
While staying with Andrea and the Wimmers family for a friend’s wedding, Linda made me feel at home. During my stay, Andrea and Linda watched the Wimbledon Tennis Tournament. Linda was quite patient with my complete ignorance of tennis. She tried to explain the basics. It was so much fun to be a part of the excitement and enthusiasm they both had for the tournament. The fantastic brunch and mimosas she and Andrea prepared didn’t hurt either! When I think of Linda I will always be reminded of the importance of taking care of friends and family and the importance of enjoying life.
Love,
Susan Wood
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