I wrote this poem and enclosed it with a birthday card
for Aunt Mary. By this time, we had steeled ourselves to
the fact that Aunt Mary might not get well

Sometimes the road we travel
Has bumps along the way
Or we have to trod along
Through many rainy days

Just when it seems we’ve made it
To a nice and easy road
A landslide or a blizzard
Adds weight onto the load

God’s watching every step
As we journey through our life
He promised to be with us
But not remove the strife

The hurdles may come upon you
At what seems a blinding pace
But God will help you clear them
If you focus on His face

Sometimes the burdens He allows
Seem more than we can bear
But the more He piles upon you
The more He’ll help to share

God knows what we can handle
And promises a way of escape
So just keep on running
Til you reach the finishing tape

He’ll be there waiting for you
To erase all sorrow and pain
To assure you the race is finished
And you haven’t run in vain

So keep your eyes on Jesus
The obstacles will seem so small
He'll come and answer quickly
When He hears your prayerful call

This poem was written with my Aunt Mary in mind as well
as a great-aunt who was sick at the same time. She ended up
going to Heaven just two weeks before Aunt Mary

I don’t like to use the phrase “good-bye”
With nearly everyone
But it is said much easier
When their journey’s almost done

I’ve learned that you can’t hesitate
Or withhold an “I love you”
The thing I don’t want to admit is
That goes for “good-bye” too

When you know the one you love
Has Christ living in their heart
Peace comes along with each “good-bye”
Because you won’t really be apart

Though letting go will be easier
When it’s time to say good-bye
I won’t mask the sorrow that I feel
You know that I’ll still cry

I know that you won’t miss me
As you’re walking Heaven’s shore
When it’s time for me to join you
You’ll just have closed the door

The years for me may be many
And I’ll miss you every day
But I will keep on serving God
If He wants me to stay

You won’t have time to wonder
What’s taking me so long
For you will still be learning
The words to Heaven’s song

The time is drawing near
When you will leave my side
So every time I see you
I’ll say “I love you” and “Good-bye”

My cousin took care of her mom through it all,
and this poem was written for her.

Sometimes we just get so burnt out
Doing what we do
We may not even realize
Just what it’s coming to

When your rope has reached its end
Tie a knot and just hang on
When it feels like you might fall
God will make you strong

His arms are open and waiting
To surround you with His love
Now you can rest and accept
Your hug from God above

Hugs from God are amazing
Mortal words cannot express
The feeling of complete consolation
The assurance that He will bless

Invisible arms around you
Holding you close and tight
Silent whispers promising
That everything will be all right

No matter how challenging
The road that you must trod
Relief will come when you receive
Heavenly hugs from God

This poem was written for my Uncle Rich

Lots of years you’ve been together
Through many ups and down
Sharing everything with her
Every smile and frown

It must be hard to watch her now
Sometimes so weak and frail
But God will always give to you
Grace that will never fail

Grace that will enable you
To accept His perfect plan
Whether that be renewed health
Or a trip to Gloryland

I know it’s hard to tell the Lord
That you are letting go
Of someone that you love so much
But He wants you to know

To know if you are capable
Of trusting in His will
Sometimes the moment we let go
He leaves them with us still

Exercize your faith today
Admit that God knows best
Surrender your will to be His own
Sometimes that’s the only test

This poem pretty much speaks for itself

The days go by so slowly
Each one feeling like a year
Though surrounded we feel lonely
And each blink holds back a tear

As inevitable as the seasons
But the hour is still concealed
Tempted to ask for a reason
The departure time is not revealed

We know our God controls the reins
And wants our faith to grow
He’ll comfort us through every pain
His peace He will bestow

We’ve given our loved one over to God
And asked for grace to go on
Now the path of waiting we must trod
Until God calls them Home

Waiting is the hardest part
Harder than saying good-bye
The suffering can break a heart
And leave us asking “why”

Why must suffering be prolonged
When there 's nothing more than pain
Can’t God take the life that to Him belongs
So that Heaven can be attained

Tears were shed when the sickness appeared
And we prayed day in and day out
For God’s perfect will to be made clear
We promised to have faith and no doubt

Our faith is taxed when we must wait
But prayer that burden can ease
For this appointment God won’t be late
And we'll be allowed to grieve

I wrote this poem in Jennifer's Voice, I know she's
not just sitting up there waiting but I'm quit sure she
will be very happy to be reunited with her Granny!

I made my trip to Heaven
A couple years ago
Though it hardly seems like minutes
Since I left the earth below

I’ve taken the Glory land tour
Met family I never knew
Laid crowns at Jesus’ feet
Gotten all the answers, too

I welcomed siblings in Christ that day
When the planes & towers fell
Then the war brought many more
Who had served their country well

Now I’m watchin for my Granny
Her time is drawing near
I’m anxious to hug & kiss her
And show her everything here

Her pain will all be ended
Her race will be well-run
Her tears will all be wiped away
Her journey finally done

We’ll walk and talk arm in arm
On the streets of purest gold
Then she will run & jump & shout
As Jesus she finally beholds

I actually started writing this poem the night Aunt Mary
died. I got the first two stanzas written, and then my inspiration
simply disappeared. I had a feeling that Aunt Mary had left us.
I read through some of the other poems I had written, and by then my
inspiration had returned. The rest of the poem came out very quickly.

I’ve seen many loved ones
Leave this world behind
Some had suffered many years
Some left with no good-bye

Death has never scared me
Christ is the only way
He shed His blood on Calvary
So I would not fear this day

At long last, my turn is here
I’m dancing on Heaven’s shore
Now I’m visiting with Mom & Dad
And hugging Jennifer once more

The wonders of Heaven are many
The glories I can’t explain
My sorrows have all been ended
My body feels no more pain

Cry if you must when you say goodbye
But dry those tears before long
My battle is over, my race has been run
I’m singing the victory song

The following is from the program that was
supplied by Calvary Baptist Church at the funeral

Front Cover:

**Picture of Aunt Mary here**
"Make a joyful noise unto the Lord all ye lands. Serve the Lord with
gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord
he is God: it is he that hath made us and not we ourselves; we are his
people and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with
thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and
bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his
truth endureth to all generations"
Psalm 100:1-5

Inside Left:

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

"What A Day That will Be"
"Victory in Jesus"

Served the church as Sunday School
teacher, nursery worker, financial
clerk and sang in the choir.
Served at Calvary Christian School
in the needle and thread department
as teacher and at state and regional
competition as a judge.

She was a charter member of
Calvary Baptist church and will
be missed by all that knew her.

II Corinthians 5:8
"We are confident, I say, and willing rather
to be absent from the body,
and to be present with the Lord."

Inside Right:

In Memory of
Our Beloved Sister in Christ
Mary Ann Shanklin Gullion

Wife of Deacon Richard Gullion
Mother of Pat Gullion Ellington
Mother of Terry Gullion Davis
Beloved Grandmother and Friend

Prelude - 1:00 PM	Rebecca Lacy
Scripture Reading	II Corinthians 5:1-8
Prayer	Pastor John Riker
Congressional Song	"Face to Face" "My Faith Has Found a Resting Place"
Special Music	Deacon Donnie Eslinger "Touring That City"
Special Music	Mrs. Stephanie Riker "In the Garden"
Comments	Grandson, Michael Lacy
Funeral Message	Pastor, Dr. H. Eugene Riker
Benediction	Pastor, Dr. H. Eugene Riker
Recessional

------------

The committal will be at Fairview Cemetary following the
funeral service at Calvary Baptist Church

There will be a meal provided by the Calvary Baptist Church at
the fellowship building following the committal service.
Arrangements have been made to accommodate all family and friends for the meal.

Back Cover:

Poem: "Watchin' For Granny" - (Since I already included it above,
I won't retype it here)

~~End of Funeral Program~~

The program above failed to mention that my Aunt Mary was
"Sister of Martha Shanklin Hofmeister"
I am very thankful that she held that title, otherwise
I wouldn't have had an "Aunt Mary"
This Poem was written by Martha (my mom)

You came into my life When I was only three. Being your big sister Made me happy as I could be. We were so very different When we were young girls. I was chubby with straight hair While you were thin with lots of curls. You had some neighbor girls With which you could play. But since I didn't have any I would sew or read all day.
	Then one day you fell in love Got married and moved away. Then it wasn't very long until Our darling Pat was born one day. A few years later I met Wayne And came to Michigan to stay. For many years now you Have lived many miles away. Our lives have been so different As we have lived so far apart. Though you are there and I am here We still are very close at heart.
It hurts so much to see you In lots of pain and very ill. I know you love the Lord And accept His perfect will. Always remember that whether We are together or far apart. You will always, always hold A very special place in my heart. Each day God gives us together Is so very special to me. When our life on earth is over We will be together for all eternity.