Your Birthday  / Armisey Smith (Daughter)
It is another year without you on your birthday.  Another year in which we won't be able to spoil you with presents, kisses and strawberry cake.  Another year where we will not hear the sound of your voice in laughter.  Another year we will not touch you in any way or you touch us.  We, I miss you mamma so much.  There is a hole in my life that will never be filled without your prescence.  I try to hold on the the fact that you are looking out for all of us where you are and in doing that, trying not to be selfish because you are not physically here...
Tell dad I said hello and that I love him too.
Happy birthday to the both of you.
Love 
Armisey Close

Just thinkng about you... / Armisey Smith (Daughter)
Hello Mom,
It has been some time since I have written to you, but you have been in my thoughts everyday as MY life has begun to move forward.  I miss you so much and really need you at this point in my life.  I know that you are looking out for everyone in the family, and that you are proud that we have managed to stay together as a family.  I graduated from Grad school with distinction which I know that you are extremely proud of.  For a period, I was not going to go to my own graduation, but because of the people that love me expressed concern about me not going, I went with the notion that your spirit would be there in support of me.  Albeit, it was difficult seeing other graduating students with their parents, I could not help to feel a bit jealous of that because I needed you to be there so much.  There are times that the pain of losing you is so acute that I wish that I could join you in heaven or some other place.  Sometimes that pain is so deep that I have a hard time believing that there is a God...  I know, I know that you would disagree with me saying these things, but I am trying hard these days to communicate from my heart.  There are times that this overwheling feeling becomes stifled and I cannot seem to move forward.  I just know that with the warmth of your smile and intuition regarding my state of mind lends itself to me feeling a bit better about life, love and happiness.  There has to be a way in which I can outreach you without feeling hopeless and without pain, but I know that this is not to be true.  We went to the gravesite on Mother's day and I realized by looking upon your headstone that you were no longer with us on the physical plane.  It was cold and windy, but I would like to think that you were blowing us kisses from beyond...  The only physical thing I could touch that is of you was your headstone.  What I really wanted to do was figure out a way to climb in there with you and be at eternal peace and happiness with you.  I know that this is not much of a tribute, but I just wanted to let you know what I was feeling and what I am feeling right now.  The urge to just talk to you about my fears, about how and whom I am to love, what lessons I have learned after your passing and does life get any better?  Does one really get what they deserve in life?  For some reason I am feeling a bit pessimistic about what it is that I need and want from life.  My feelings are confused and a bit bruised from shutting myself off before and after your passing.  I know that this is not a healthy choice, but what am I to do?  Just keep trudging though life although I have accomplished so much?  Do I hold back and let others rob me of the choice to love?  do I tip toe around the issue of reciprocal love?  I do not know Mom and I wish to God that you were here to guide me through this.  I love you more each day and I understand that with each day that passes without you just chips away at the Armisey that you raised.  I will try to hold on Mom.  Try not to latch on to "false" idols or attempt to connect to people who do not have the faintest clue about loss and how important it is to recognize that there is true love out there.  I had true love in you and for this I am eternally grateful, but still missing you like no other....
I love you Mom.
Your daughter, Armisey (Misey) Close

Mother's Love  / Wanda Henderson (Friend of Armisey)
The Love of a Mother is so strong. As she passes it to her children others can feel her power. I feel it thru Armisey. Mrs Peggy your seeds have bloomed into beautiful flowers. I never had the pleasure of meeting you but I feel as if I know you.... you are in your daughter, Armisey, and she is a wonderful person. I will continue to pray for your family and be a better friend to your daughter. Thank you for your blessings, they are bountiful. Close

Oh how much we MISS YOU! / Armisey Smith (Daughter)
Mom, we all miss you so very much.  As each day and night passes we know that we will not hear your voice, listen to your laughter, chide us with our little idiosyncrasies and just love us for who you raised us to be.  The space in my heart grows larger by the day with the notion that you are no longer with us.  I would give anything to see you again and give you a kiss on you forehead.  I miss the smell of you, your soft skin and hair, but most of all I miss saying that I love you.... Close

Just beautiful / Shelton Smith (Son)
"Here we are, trying piece together what you meant to us. How we feel about you. How much it hurts to not have you in our lives currently. Looking to outside sources for solace and continuance. Searching our inner depths for various reasons, answers to questions and the final peace of mind to go with all that has happened. It is not a easy task to move on without thinking about your guiding light. Your spirit while alive was strong and true. You fought long and hard through all your physical ailments, while raising 5 children is an unearthly accomplishment. We, your offspring’s thank you for your will power, your love and guidance. You taught us all so much about life and how to treat others. You strived to make sure we grew up accomplished in whatever endeavor we chose. Your mark on our lives is profound and everlasting. We love you so much with all our hearts, forever loved by your family and never to be forgotten.". Close

Memorial Prayer (Hebrew) / Armisey Smith (Daughter)
God full of mercy who dwells on high
Grant perfect rest on the wings of You Divine Presence
among the holy and pure
who shine in the brightness of the firmament
to the soul of Peggy Ruth Smith
who has gone to her eternal rest
as all her family and friends
pray for the elevation of her soul.
Her resting place shall be in the Garden of Eden.
Therefore, the Master of mercy will care for her
under the protection of His wings for all time
And bind her soul in the bond of everlasting life.
God is her inheritance and she will rest in peace
and let us say Amen. Close

How do we measure time? / Armisey Smith (Daughter)
It's been one month since your passing and as the time grinds by without your special smile, laughter and good advice, we all find it hard to believe that you are no longer here with us.  We need you mommie and miss you terribly with all of our hearts.  What does time mean to us now that you are gone?  It symbolizes markers in the fabirc of time that we cannot witness and share with you physically how much we love you.  I cannot phathom how much I/we hurt because you meant so much to all of us.  You were and still are truly what a mother should apsire to be.  You gave us so much and in return you received our undying loyalty and love even in the end.  As time goes on, your passing will guide us and give us strenght in areas that we did not even realize, but we still wish that you were here.
There are times that I cry because the hurt is so palatable and my heart swells to fill the space that seems irrevocably empty without you here.  I know that with time.... time, this pain will lesson but it will never truly ever recede.  I just hope that we all strive in our lives to make you proud.  Everyday that we are still here on this earth means we are paying homage to you and for what you stood for.
We love you mommie and will never let you or your hopes for us down. Close