This is what I said at my Mom’s Funeral…

Thank you for being here today. My brother, sister and our whole family thanks you. You are here because Betty Romann impacted your life, just as she has mine. Someone had said in passing, “your mom was all heart” and that sums it up fairly well.

I’d like to share a few stories with you that showcase Betty Romann’s heart, drive, and love for others. I was 8 years old in this first story. After selling over 500+ boxes of girl scout cookies and yes most of you in this room probably bought cookies from me back then, I had earned a “mom and me” trip to camp where we’d swim, do crafts, all those cool girl scout things. I was beyond excited. Now, around this same time my mom started having some serious problems with her eyes. An eye doctor finally determined that she had a disease called histoplasmoses. It threatened to take away all her version. The only option was an eye surgery that they weren’t sure would work. Reflecting back, I can’t imagine the fear and stress she must have had. This disease threatens her career as a nurse and as such remove the primary and really only source of income for our family. Not to mention facing the possibility of raising 3 young kids potentially without sight. The surgery was only a few days before camp. To my shock and great delight my mom came with me to mom and me camp- with eye patches and all. At this point she did not know the level, if any, vision she’d get back. Yet my mom was fully engaged with every activity and was her positive and happy self. I remembered joking with her that I’d take her turn at archery so she did not shot someone. Even in a time of extreme fear, she put me and my little 8-year-old dreams, ahead of herself. Just like she did for everyone else in her life. Today I am a momma of 3 young kids myself, including an 8-year-old, I just don’t know if I’d have the internal strength to do what she did to put aside all her fears for a few days. To say that my mom was a good mother is an extreme understatement. God’s blessing shown on my family and she retained enough vision, over time, to keep nursing and keep serving others as she was called to do. She never drove a car again or placed IV’s but with adjustments she was able to live a full life for another 30 years.

The second story I wanted to share with you-I remember, more than once, waking up in the middle of the night and over hearing my mother on the phone. While catching pieces of the conversation I could tell she was listening, encouraging and supporting individuals from her I Can Cope Cancer classes. She was never paid for any of her work with cancer patients, but she loved on her patients like it was her mission in life. She was blessed as being able to support and love people when they were going through difficult times. Yes, Betty was all heart.

The last story I wanted to share with you was that of my final FFA State convention as a senior is high school. I’d worked hard at the chapter, regional, and state levels and my ultimate goal was to be elected one of the 6 students to hold a state office. After applications, speeches, and rounds of interviews I was one of the 20 finalists. My mom and dad made the voyage down to the cities to be in that auditorium for the moment I hoped I’d be able to make them proud. However, one by one the 6 offices were filled but my name was not called and I did not run up on that stage. I remember sitting there with one thought in my mind, that they’d drove all this way and I disappointed them, I lost, I failed. I held back my tears of disappointment as tried to find them after the session ended. Then I saw my mother, she was almost running to me and her face showed nothing but pure pride and smiles ear to ear. I was worried that she didn’t get it, I lost. But she gave me a Betty Romann bear hug and with tears in her eyes told me how proud she was of the women I was becoming. It wasn’t until I became a mother I understood how deeply we love our kids and it isn’t the titles and awards they achieve it’s the moments when we see the people they are becoming that makes us burst with pride.

I could go on with more stories of my mom’s amazing heart and I know each of you have stories also. So in conclusion I thought I’d share a list of some of my mom’s favorite things:

1. Turtlenecks, oh this women wore turtle necks 9 months out of year. Regardless if they were in style and regardless of the weather. 2. Snuggling with her Cats and then also complaining about said cats. 3. This juice called No knee juice – it’s made from a fruit and tastes awful but she swore it cured everything. I’m sure at some point my mom told you all about it. 4. Reading the Bible and going to Bible study. My mother’s faith is an inspiration. It was such an important part of her life. Thanks to all of you that are from her church, she deeply loved all of you. 5. Talking on the phone with anyone- co-workers, friends, family, she loved to hear all about your day, your life, your everything. She had a way to connect with people deeper than a surface level.

Mom, I’m going to miss you every day. We all will. Thank you for making us feel special and loving us like only a person made of ‘all heart’ can.