Miss You by David Cory
Miss you, miss you, miss you;
Everything I do
Echoes with the laughter
And the voice of You.
You're on every corner,
Every turn and twist,
Every old familiar spot
Whispers how you're missed.
Miss you, miss you, miss you!
Everywhere I go
There are poignant memories
Dancing in a row.
Silhouette and shadow
Of your form and face,
Substance and reality
Everywhere displace.
Oh, I miss you, miss you!
How I miss you, Girl!
There's a strange, sad silence
'Mid the busy whirl,
Just as tho' the ordinary
Daily things I do
Wait with me, expectant,
For a word from You.
Miss you, miss you, miss you!
Nothing now seems true
Only that 'twas heaven
Just to be with You.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Celebrating Norma
Over the next few weeks, I'll be posting comments about Norma that were spoken at her memorial in Ohio.
Here's the first entry, written by Dave Woodyard, read by his wife Joanne:
By Granville standards, Norma was not among us very long. But her presence was enduring -- she taught us how to live and in time, she taught us how to die. Some do both and some do one.
Norma did both. She lit a candle in this gifted community that shone even on a bright day, and by night illuminated every dark corner. That candle will continue to burn and cast its light among us as long as each of us lives by what she taught us.
Here's the first entry, written by Dave Woodyard, read by his wife Joanne:
By Granville standards, Norma was not among us very long. But her presence was enduring -- she taught us how to live and in time, she taught us how to die. Some do both and some do one.
Norma did both. She lit a candle in this gifted community that shone even on a bright day, and by night illuminated every dark corner. That candle will continue to burn and cast its light among us as long as each of us lives by what she taught us.
Read at Norma's memorial in Ohio
My dear friend, Norma,
When I think of Norma, I think of how she embraced life fully. I think too of the legacy of scientist/writer Rachel Carson and her book A Sense of Wonder because Norma lived that sense of wonder and shared it with those around her.
The first time I met Norma, was at a picnic of several families. In a stream of conversation I remembered her saying that she needed a new kitchen floor, but that would not be installed because more important was their desire to travel with Dawn and Lisa who were young girls at the time. I was impressed.
I have many memories of special times with Norma. Another memory when she shared a sense of wonder was when she took my daughters Lori and Erin and me tramping through the woods near their home on Trestle Road in Highland to teach us about spring plants and flowers—showing us the May Apples and the Jack in the Pulpit and the Trillium—all new to us.
And she more recently shared that sense of wonder right here in Granville when Erin and Rebecca and I came to visit. We walked the bike path, spotting the deer, checking out the community garden, and even seeing the neighborhood skunk—not to mention the many birds and plants that always thrived in her presence.
We parted after learning the latest card games, and we play them all year long—always remembering the fun times we had around her table. We played “hand and foot” last weekend as part of our tribute to her. I have shared books, quotes, tears, laughter, wine and many cups of tea with Norma through the past 30 or so years. We discovered that cranberry tea never tastes so good alone as it does when shared with a dear friend. I will miss her so.
-- Donna Singleton, long-time friend from Highland, IL
When I think of Norma, I think of how she embraced life fully. I think too of the legacy of scientist/writer Rachel Carson and her book A Sense of Wonder because Norma lived that sense of wonder and shared it with those around her.
The first time I met Norma, was at a picnic of several families. In a stream of conversation I remembered her saying that she needed a new kitchen floor, but that would not be installed because more important was their desire to travel with Dawn and Lisa who were young girls at the time. I was impressed.
I have many memories of special times with Norma. Another memory when she shared a sense of wonder was when she took my daughters Lori and Erin and me tramping through the woods near their home on Trestle Road in Highland to teach us about spring plants and flowers—showing us the May Apples and the Jack in the Pulpit and the Trillium—all new to us.
And she more recently shared that sense of wonder right here in Granville when Erin and Rebecca and I came to visit. We walked the bike path, spotting the deer, checking out the community garden, and even seeing the neighborhood skunk—not to mention the many birds and plants that always thrived in her presence.
We parted after learning the latest card games, and we play them all year long—always remembering the fun times we had around her table. We played “hand and foot” last weekend as part of our tribute to her. I have shared books, quotes, tears, laughter, wine and many cups of tea with Norma through the past 30 or so years. We discovered that cranberry tea never tastes so good alone as it does when shared with a dear friend. I will miss her so.
-- Donna Singleton, long-time friend from Highland, IL
Friday, December 4, 2009
Jane Montz's tomato wild rice soup
One of my mom's dear Ohio friends, Jane Montz, made this delicious soup for us just after my mom died. It warmed our hearts and bellies.
She delivered it to my dad's place with crusty bread, salmon cream cheese spread and a bottle of wine. Here's the recipe for Jane's tomato wild rice soup.
Saute:
3 T. butter
3 T. olive oil
1 med. Onion, chopped
1-2 carrots, chopped
1 large stalk celery
Add & simmer for about 1 hr or until rice is no longer crunchy:
6 lrge tomatoes or 2 16-oz. cans chopped tomatoes
2 c. chicken stock
½ c. wild rice (one little box of Reese’s wild rice)
Swirl in before serving:
½ c. cream (or a bit more, like I do)
2 T. fresh basil, chopped (I like to add more)
She delivered it to my dad's place with crusty bread, salmon cream cheese spread and a bottle of wine. Here's the recipe for Jane's tomato wild rice soup.
Saute:
3 T. butter
3 T. olive oil
1 med. Onion, chopped
1-2 carrots, chopped
1 large stalk celery
Add & simmer for about 1 hr or until rice is no longer crunchy:
6 lrge tomatoes or 2 16-oz. cans chopped tomatoes
2 c. chicken stock
½ c. wild rice (one little box of Reese’s wild rice)
Swirl in before serving:
½ c. cream (or a bit more, like I do)
2 T. fresh basil, chopped (I like to add more)
Peace
This candle burned on November 19th in my mom's bedroom. It's a peace candle and I thought it appropriate for my mom's vigil. It sat on my mom's desk alongside Emily and Paul's baby pictures. Classical music played in the background. Ralph and Norma
A photo of Ralph and Norma's hands a few days after their 48th wedding anniversary. My mom had her nails done a week before she died.Friday, November 20, 2009
Norma's obituary
Norma Irene (Heimann) Ottensmeier, age 67, of Granville, OH died November 19, 2009, in her home, embraced by her husband and two daughters. Norma was born July 23, 1942, in Damiansville, IL, to Louis and Nora (Horstmann) Heimann, who both preceded her in death. Norma is also preceded in death by her brother Lester Heimann. Norma received her Bachelors of Science in Education degree from Southern Illinois University in 1971, and her Masters of Arts in Speech Communications from SIU in 1993. She retired in 2002 from the Central Community High School, in Breese, IL, where she served as librarian for 18 years. Norma was an avid reader, gardener, loved to play cards, and took great delight in her grandchildren Emily and Paul. Norma is survived by her husband of 48 years, Ralph; children Dawn Ottensmeier and Lisa (Brian) Crock. She is also survived by a brother, Melvin (Yvonne) Heimann, and sisters Aurea (Dave) Frerker, Audrey (Ron) Kolar, Grace Walker, Marlene (Allan) Carmack, Donna (John) Goldman, Lois (Rodger) Kalmer, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Norma was a blessing to all who knew her kind and generous ways. She was loved by all and will be greatly missed.
A private memorial Mass is planned for Ohio. A second memorial celebration of Norma’s life will be held in Illinois at a later date. Contributions in Norma’s memory may be made to Hospice of Central Ohio, 2269 Cherry Valley Rd., Newark, OH 43055.
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