My son dedicated this to his g'ma at her funeral.......  she was a really awesome lady and we miss her terribly during the holiday season as she always had family things that brought lots and lots of people together and put lots of smiles on everybody's faces. 

Betty McCullough was a very wonderful person and I had the fortune of her being in my life and I will always smile when I think of all the wonderful times we shared.

When Tomorrow Starts Without Me

Posted in In Loving Memory on September 21st, 2008

When tomorrow starts without me,
And I’m not here to see.
If the sun should rise and find your
eyes filled with tears for me.
I wish so much you wouldn’t cry,
the way you did today.
While thinking of the many things
we didn’t get to say.
I know how much you love me,
as much as I love you.
And each time you think of me,
I know you’ll miss me, too.
But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand.
That Jesus came and called my name
And took me by the hand.
And said my place was ready
in heaven far above.
And that I’d have to leave behind
all those I dearly love.
So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don’t think we’re far apart.
For every time you think of me,
I’m right here in your heart.
This poem was written/submitted by David Romano.

Wear Sunscreen (Baz Luhrmann)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTJ7AzBIJoI

My son read this to me and his wife tonite and it made me smile.  (He had me listen to Tupac's song about MaMa a long long time ago and I love Brad's sensitivity.)  .......cal

http://www.generationterrorists.com/quotes/sunscreen.html

Everybody's Free (to wear sunscreen)

Mary Schmich Chicago Tribune

Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of '97... wear sunscreen. If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be IT. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now. Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded. But trust me, in 20 years you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are NOT as fat as you imagine. Don't worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday. Do one thing every day that scares you. Sing. Don't be reckless with other people's hearts, don't put up with people who are reckless with yours. Floss. Don't waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long, and in the end, it's only with yourself. Remember compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you succeed in doing this, tell me how. Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements. Stretch. Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don't. Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees, you'll miss them when they're gone. Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't, maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't, maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself, either. Your choices are half chance, so are everybody else's. Enjoy your body, use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it, or what other people think of it, it's the greatest instrument you'll ever own. Dance. Even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room. Read the directions, even if you don't follow them. Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly. Get to know your parents, you never know when they'll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings; they are your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future. Understand that friends come and go, but for the precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography in lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young. Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. Travel. Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old, and when you do you'll fantasize that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders. Respect your elders. Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one might run out. Don't mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will look 85. Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth. But trust me on the sunscreen. Tupac Dear Mama http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNcloTmvTeA You are appreciated[Verse One: 2Pac] When I was a young me and my mama had beef Seventeen years old kicked out on the streets Though back at the time, I never thought I'd see her face Ain't a woman alive that could take my mama's place Suspended from school; and scared to go home, I was a fool with the big boys, breakin all the rules I shed tears with my baby sister Over the years we was poorer than the other little kids And even though we had different daddys, the same drama When things went wrong we'd blame mama I reminice on the stress I caused, it was hell Huggin' on my mama from a jail cell And who'd think in elementary? Heeey! I see the penitentiary, one day And runnin from the police, that's right Mama catch me, put a whoopin to my backside And even as a crack fiend, mama You always was a black queen, mama I finally understand for a woman it ain't easy tryin to raise a man You always was committed A poor single mother on welfare, tell me how ya did it There's no way I can pay you back But the plan is to show you that I understand You are appreciated [Chorus: Reggie Green & "Sweet Franklin" w/ 2Pac] Lady... Don't cha know we love ya? Sweet lady Dear mama Place no one above ya, sweet lady You are appreciated Don't cha know we love ya? [second and third chorus, "And dear mama" instead of "Dear mama"] [Verse Two: 2Pac] Now ain't nobody tell us it was fair No love from my daddy cause the coward wasn't there He passed away and I didn't cry, cause my anger wouldn't let me feel for a stranger They say I'm wrong and I'm heartless, but all along I was lookin for a father he was gone I hung around with the Thugs, and even though they sold drugs They showed a young brother love I moved out and started really hangin I needed money of my own so I started slangin I ain't guilty cause, even though I sell rocks It feels good puttin money in your mailbox I love payin rent when the rents due I hope ya got the diamond necklace that I sent to you Cause when I was low you was there for me And never left me alone because you cared for me And I could see you comin home after work late You're in the kitchen tryin to fix us a hot plate Ya just workin with the scraps you was given And mama made miracles every Thanksgivin But now the road got rough, you're alone You're tryin to raise two bad kids on your own And there's no way I can pay you back But my plan is to show you that I understand You are appreciated [Chorus] Lady... Don't cha know we love ya? Sweet lady Dear mama Place no one above ya, sweet lady You are appreciated Don't cha know we love ya? Verse Three: 2Pac] Pour out some liquor and I reminsce, cause through the drama I can always depend on my mama And when it seems that I'm hopeless You say the words that can get me back in focus When I was sick as a little kid To keep me happy there's no limit to the things you did And all my childhood memories Are full of all the sweet things you did for me And even though I act craaazy I gotta thank the Lord that you made me There are no words that can express how I feel You never kept a secret, always stayed real And I appreciate, how you raised me And all the extra love that you gave me I wish I could take the pain away If you can make it through the night there's a brighter day Everything will be alright if ya hold on It's a struggle everyday, gotta roll on And there's no way I can pay you back But my plan is to show you that I understand You are appreciated [Chorus] Lady... Don't cha know we love ya? Sweet lady Dear mama Place no one above ya, sweet lady You are appreciated Don't cha know we love ya? Sweet lady And dear mama Dear mama Lady [3X]