Alycia's Smile

What A Woman, A Mother, A Daughter, A Sister, A Teacher, A Friend and so much more... 

Last Thursday on a gloomy, cloudy and rainy day without notice or warning the world lost a wonderful person. In her sleep she quietly slipped away. This Thursday, today, the clouds miraculously evaporated and gave way to beautiful blue skies so that approximately 300 people filled with lots of love for our Friend could show up to send her away... On a weekday, no less than 300 people put honor, love and respect for friendship and family before other commitments and our jobs. That speaks to just how special Alycia Walton-Money is...

Of course the program said to limit words of reflection to 2 minutes, they always say that. I am not sure because who abides by it? Today was no exception. Person after person made their way to the mic to bear witness to how wonderful Alycia was/is in words, mini sermons and even in song. None limited his reflection to two minutes. Each told of some positive impact that Alycia had had on their life. Person after person; friends, family, neighbors, former students and their parents, fellow parishioners and teachers brought tears of pride, joy and sadness to my eyes as they told stories about her warm and loving spirit. Each reflected about her beautiful and always present smile which thankfully was beaming at the us from monitors beyond the coffin that now houses her body and just above the pulpit. Still, in her last moments on earth, she consoled us with her smile for one last time.

Thank you Alycia... 

In our 56 years of life, our Mothers were childhood friends and pregnant with Alycia and I at the same time, I don't think I ever heard Alycia say a bad word about anyone. Not once. So I understood why today so many wanted to give testimony and say wonderful things about her. It was a love filled service. And oddly enough, I don't think anyone minded that fellow mourners were violating the two minute rule. Oddly enough I don't think anyone would have minded if everyone standing in queue was given an opportunity to speak. Sadly however that could not be... The pastor, keeper of time, fully recognizing that still there had to be an eulogy, was forced to cut reflections of love by the guests to allow the family to share their reflections and share they did...

Alycia's beautiful daughter Christina, paid loving tribute in word to her Mother, assured her Father of her Mother's undying love for him and tearfully and heartily thanked him for being such a wonderful partner to her Mother and wonderful Father to she and her Brother. She promised to always be there for him. Her words were so moving... Alycia's son Eric, offered a moving and heartfelt musical selection in honor of his Mother. She was so proud of her children. They showed us why... Alycia's Mother found the strength to share words of praise for her first born and somehow through her grief was inspired to offer wisdom to other Mothers about loving and letting their children go. The strength of her family was a testament to who Alycia was, what her Mother instilled in her and what in turn, she instilled in her children. Like Alycia's beaming smile, their strength consoled us.

                                                             

Thank you Family...

I am going to miss my Friend that is for sure. She was a number one cheerleader and always a supporter in my life and obviously in that of so many others. Between my tears and floods of memories, today I looked to the heavens and sincerely hoped that she thought me to be as good and supportive a Friend to her. The good do die young. Alycia is proof of that. She was good and lived a purpose driven and filling life. Seemingly God's reward for my dear friend being such a good soul here on earth was to take her away suddenly, without warning, very peacefully and without pain in her sleep. I think everyone today found comfort that such a beautiful person did not have to suffer. Today I said goodbye to my friend but never to her smile...

Thank you for Being My Friend...