We are gathered here today in the memory of my mother, Mary Freeman so that together we may acknowledge and share both our joy in the gift that her life was to us, and the pain that her passing brings. In sharing the joy and the pain together today, may we lessen the pain and remember more clearly the joy.Mary was only 77 when she passed away unexpectedly on Monday, August 5th Valdosta, Georgia. It’s hard to say goodbye. We wish that we had more time, and perhaps that during the time we had we had spent more of it together. We wish that so much of her life had not been lost to her illness, that things could have been different for her, and for us. While we know that she is at peace and that her struggles are at an end, there is pain and sadness. But even though she is gone, she has left the legacy of her love and perseverance. The ways she touched our lives will remain, and I ask you to keep those memories alive by sharing them with me and with one another.One of the most important things in Mom’s life was making sure that our family was okay, she loved her grand kids to the fullest as they loved their MahMah. She was the peace maker through it all. Holding together a family is not the easiest task but she did it so gracefully and with love.