Today was the Memorial Service  for my Aunt Jeanne. Well, she is actually my great-aunt by marriage but blood holds no barrier since she was . . . she is . . . Aunt Jeanne.

So the family, Lis, Rashad, Emma, and me, all drove down to the Memorial at cousin Elaina’s house in Toms River. Once there, we shook hands, hugged, ate, laughed, talked, and enjoyed each other’s company with the rest of Aunt Jeanne’s family who were in attendance. After the meal we gathered at the family table and spoke on the spirit and heart of Jeanne Crystal Lombardi-Hardaker.

Many words could be used to describe her: mother, sister, aunt, great aunt,  friend -  but none of those words could encompass her.

She was beyond description . . .

But still we tried.

Through the words and the laughter and the tears we realized that even though she is ‘gone’ for lack of a better word, she still is . . .

in our memories . . .

in our smiles . . .

in our tears . . .

in our hearts

Forever.

Jeanne Crystal Lombardi-Hardaker
(January 29, 1923 – August 29, 2011)

“Hymn” by Brooke Fraser

If to distant lands I scatter
If I sail to farthest seas
Would you find and firm and gather ’til I only dwell in Thee?
If I flee from greenest pastures
Would you leave to look for me?
Forfeit glory to come after
‘Til I only dwell in Thee

If my heart has one ambition
If my soul one goal to seek
This my solitary vision ’til I only dwell in Thee
That I only dwell in Thee
‘Til I only dwell in Thee