Funeral - Gloria Ballard Harper -

For the funeral of Gloria Harper, which took place on Friday, September 28, 2012 at St Mary Catholic Church in Yazoo City, the following poem was printed on the order of service.  It was given to Gloria by her daughter Glo some years back.  The family members thought that it reflected how they felt about their mom.  It is very touching -

WHEN YOU THOUGHT WE WERE NOT LOOKING

            When you thought we were not looking, we saw you hang our first painting on the refrigerator, and we immediately wanted to paint another one.

            When you thought we were not looking, we saw you feed a stray dog, and we learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

            When you thought we were not looking, we saw you make our favorite cake for us, and we learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

            When you thought we were not looking, we heard you say a prayer, and we knew there is a God we could always talk to and we learned to trust in God. 

            When you thought we were not looking, we saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and we learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

            When you thought we were not looking, we saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing, and we learned that those who have something should give to those who don’t.

            When you thought we were not looking, we saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and we learned that we have to take care of what we are given.

            When you thought we were not looking, we saw how you handled your responsibilities even when you did not feel good, and we learned that we would have to be responsible when we grow up.

            When you thought we were not looking, we saw tears come from your eyes, and we learned that sometimes things hurt, but it is all right to cry.

            When you thought we were not looking, we saw that you cared, and we wanted to be everything that we could be.

            When you thought we were not looking, we learned most of life’s lessons that we need to know when we grow up.

            When you thought we were not looking, we looked at you and wanted to say, “Thanks for all the things we saw when you thought we were not looking.”