In Loving Memory Of Erma McLaren, Mother of Beverly, Bill and Murray.

(Goodbye Mom!)

Bill McLaren’s funeral service dedication, April 6, 2009

If you ever walked into our mother’s home, the first words you always heard were, “I’ve just put the tea on…”  and you knew right away you were welcome there.

So how can simple words reflect on all that Erma was, truly describe who she was and explain how she lived her life with such a passion?   A few come to mind:  Love - Compassion – Patience - Determination – Strength – Grace ...

She was loving to all who knew her

She balanced compassion and strength … with grace

She maintained her love of life despite the many obstacles she faced

She was loved by all who knew her

She gave freely of herself while asking nothing in return

I am honoured to say this woman was our mother and she taught us much.

In the past few days we have been picking up the pieces, and in one of her old daily journals discovered a brief newspaper clipping she had placed there about 25 years ago …I think at the passing of her mother, our Nannie.    

The words in that small clipping titled One of Life's Pleasures say much…

I walk quietly into the room, and watch her blink drowsily in her chair …
I watch, as a smile crosses her face …
She sits alone with her memories …
She has travelled life's path ...
She has felt the glory of watching her children grown ...
She has held her first grandchild ...
She has held her love close until the day he died …
She turns to me and smiles …
Somehow she understands …
This is just another part of her life …
As some day it will be part of mine.

I draw strength from these few words and hope you might find a place in your heart for them.

For her children, she taught us to keep going even when we felt like giving up ... She also taught us that it was more important to love than to be loved ... all of our best qualities are because of her.

She was a wonderful mother, role model, and friend.  We in turn share those qualities with our children and she will remain within each of us forever.

I am confident that heaven welcomed her with open arms as she began the next part of her life’s journey.