Memorial Luncheon For Billie Lou Stephens Exhibits Dutton's Exceptional Geneorsity
Dutton Country Courier
Keepsakes; we all gather them. Some are silly, some follow our accomplishments, some lead the way to our dreams, but we all have a box or a drawer full of them.
I asked Vickie Maurer to give me a list of the hostess’s of my mother’s funeral luncheon. My first impression was surprise by the number of people who contributed.
I was truly humbled by what their contributions meant to our family: People setting aside of their normal tasks to bring a favorite dish to a funeral luncheon to be shared by a grieving family and community. A last act of kindness given to my mother.
I looked at the names and thought of the various dishes; ham, turkey, rolls, spaghetti salads, green pea salads, cookies, brownies, sundry sweets and the ever present jello salads. Who brought what? Whose recipe for baked beans?
How did each person intersect with my life? How did they contribute to the days and years, when added together, comprised my mother’s life? These are the flights of fancy my mind took when I looked at the list.
This card, my newest keepsake, is being added to my drawer full of keepsakes, but this one will tug at my heart each time I read it.
Thank you all for your generosity. These small kindnesses are the bedrock upon which the community of Dutton is built. Who would have guessed it is made of jello salad.
- Chris Stephens and family
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