To some of us, Geraldine Budmark was a mother. To some she was a grandmother, a sister-in-law, or an aunt, and to others a friend. However, to most of us, she was all of these people while bearing the title of one. She was an incredible woman who bestowed upon us many of the most wonderful gifts in life. Not the kind of gifts we can hold in our hands, but the gifts we can forever hold in our hearts. She gave to us her humanity, her compassion, her wisdom, her strength, her unselfishness, and her kindness. But most importantly, she gave us her love. Not ordinary love as we often think of when we hear the word, but unconditional love. Love that is forever. A true love for the people we are within, not for our material wealth.
When she left this life, a part of her entered into all of us and her gifts were even stronger. Now, we must take those gifts graciously and use them the way she would like. We must allow them to help us grow. We must pass them on to others as she passed them on to us. Although we all miss her greatly, she will forever be in our hearts. And although it may not seem fathomable right now, she would not have left us if she thought there would be even one of us who was not strong enough to make it through this.
Angela S. Henderson
Sunday, August 1, 1992