In Loving Memory of Tamatha "Tami" JoLynne Varner Watson February 8, 1972 - April 29, 2003 Come with Me The Lord saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be So He put His arms around you and whispered, "Come with me." With tearful eyes, we watched you suffer and saw you fade away. Although we loved you dearly, We could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, A beautiful smile at rest, God broke our hearts to prove He only takes the best. Its lonesome here without you We miss you so each day, Our lives aren't the same Since you went away. When days are sad and lonely, And everything goes wrong, We seem to hear you whisper "Cheer up and carry on." Each time we see your picture, You seem to smile and say, "Don't cry, I'm in God's keeping, We'll meet again someday." By Rhonda Braswell Tamatha JoLynne Varner Watson ( Tami ) Our youngest daughter, Tami, was born February 8, 1972..... exactly one month after her due date! That, however, was the last time she was ever late! As a baby, Tami was sick quite often and had to go to the doctor so often, that they allowed us to come in the back door....She grew into a sweet young girl who loved eat her Captain Crunch cereal along with her spaghetti-o's...... and other funny little quirks.......... From the age of 3 Tami formed a love of Winnie the Pooh & all of his friends....especially Tigger and Eeyore.... Tami also loved to go to the circus each year, for her birthday.......and on her 9th birthday..she got to be featured in the BigTop of Barnum & Bailey Circus intermission, where they acknowledge all of the birthdays. (**as I have gone thorugh Tami's belongings, I have found that she has saved all of her tickets and programs and even the birthday hat from the circus!)........why......she had kept her first purse, Winnie the Pooh...and most all of her toys. Tami had even saved all of her (childhood) teeth.....that we thought the tooth Fairy had taken.....Come to find out so did her sister, Angela..... how special they both are! I love this song below........................ perhaps it should be our anthem, for our children! I'll Be Seeing You ------Michael Buble I'll be seeing you In all the old familiar places That this heart of mine embraces All day through In that small café The park across the way The children's carousel The chestnut tree The wishing well I'll be seeing you In every lovely summer's day In everything that's light today I'll always think of you that way I'll find you in the morning sun And when the night is new I'll be looking at the moon But I'll be seeing you. I'll be seeing you In every lovely summer's day In everything that's light today I'll always think of you that way And I'll be seeing you! KEEP MY MEMORY Keep my memory with you, For memories never die; I will be there with you, When you look across the sky. I will be there in the clouds, In the birds that fill the air; In the beauty of a fragrant rose, You will find my memory there. You will feel me in the tenderness, Of a tiny baby's touch; You will hear me if you listen, In the twilight's gentle hush. When your hearts are heavy, And you feel that you are alone; Just reach down deep inside of you, For your heart is now my home. I will always be with you, I will never go away; For I will live on in your hearts, Forever and a day. By Allison Chambers Coxsey ©1996 ~ All Rights Reserved Tami did have a mischievious nature, also.........once at age 8.....a friend of mine was babysitting her, after school one day......and when I went to pick Tami up......my friend said that Tami had killed all the fish in the woman's aquarium....In Tami's defense, I said..."Now, you know, Tami would not do such a thing!".....and my "sweet" little Tami looks up at us and said.."Uh Huh, mommy....Oh yes I did!".....What had happened was that the woman had left a tube of "superglue" beside the fish aquarium....and Tami thought the fish might be hungry....so she squirted the superglue into the top of the water......and all the tropical fish, trying to eat it,.....got glue to a long string of Superglue...........it was kinda funny, actually!!! I was just glad that she told the truth and that no harm came to her, as a result of someone's neglect in leaving Superglue out in reach of a child... There were other mischievious mishaps.... but, Tami was always ready to "own up" to her actions! I recall....at age 4....one day I was reading a book to Tami....while her older sister (Angela) was at the neighbors house, playing.................Tami, stopped me from reading....and placed her hand over my mouth...saying..."Mommy, can I ask you a question?"............So I stopped reading and we talked....the conversation was like this: "Mommy,, why did you wait so long to bring me down from the nursery in Heaven???" Shocked at what i was hearing, I asked her to explain what she meant....and she said..... ."Mommy, I got so tired of waiting around in that big baby nursery in Heaven!!!.........The angels would sing to me and rock me....and I would keep asking....When will they call my name???....When will I get to go to earth and have a family of my own???...........The angels told me that God had a perfect time when I would be sent to my family...........but, mommy.....why did it take so long.??? I just couldn't wait to hear my name called out, so I could come to be your child!!!" Even then, I thought this was very insightful for a child of 4 years old....but, as Tami grew and matured, she always seemed to have the ability to understand the deepest ideas.............Tami would say she was "Pondering" or "Wondering" about something....and she always would relate her ideas about God and His love with me. This lovely image of Tami with Jesus is a gift from my dear friend, Ann. Memories of You I remember everything about you, your voice, your smile, your touch, the way you walked, the way you talked, the way you looked at me, meant so much. I remember all the words you said to me, some funny, some kind, some wise. All the things you did for me, I see now with different eyes. I remember every moment we shared, seems like only yesterday, or maybe it was eons ago, Its really hard to say. You are gone from me now, but, one thing they can't take away, Your memory resides inside my heart and lights up my darkest days. ~ Author Unknown. Tami was involved in the section of Girl Scouts...."Brownies" and got to participate in a lot of activities, like parades, canoeing and then when she moved up to Girl Scouts, she lost interest.....because she was "in love" with one of the boys in her class at school..... K-3 grade...."Todd"...... and so, she dropped these activities and was more active in our church girl's group. At age 11....Tami had to have major surgery............and I was so apprehensive about it....and she told me then, " Mommy, God sent me to you and He will take care of me...... until the day He wants me to come back to Him!" Lord I Thank You Lord, I thank you for my child You've called home to you, Thanks for lending her for awhile May she become an angel for you. Lord, I don't mean to be ungrateful Though it may seem that way To have had this child, I'm thankful Though I wish she was here today. Lord, so much I wanted to do So much for us to see Now that she is gone Her children I'll never see. Lord, help me to understand Why it had to be And when I become so filled with grief Lord I ask....will you comfort me??? By Coleman Doyle Allredge As a young woman, Tami was beautiful, caring & sweet...........Everyone said that she and her sister must have been "twins" born 5 years apart.......Angela, the oldest, and Tami did look alike in many ways, however, the personalities were totally different.......I guess that's a good thing, in some ways.... After all, I'm sure Angela didn't want to be compared to her baby sister all of her life.........so they were very independent of each other........both of them beautiful.... both very special to Me. Tami was very open about her feelings and emotions..........She would share her thoughts with me about boys, dating, God, etc..........Tami had a sensitive soul............and always had an encouraging word for us, and would share the Truth with me..........sometimes, even if I didn't ask......She could never "wait" on anything.....If you told her she was restricted or in trouble.....she would often say...."Well, let's get it over with....what are you waiting for???" Sometimes it was hard to stay mad.....she probably knew that. As a young lady.........Tami worried and was concerned over the thought of finding just the right man to marry and to be a wife to..............She said...."Mom, pray with me, that God will show me the right man to marry and to give my Love to forever"..............and we did. She did marry and was married for almost 8 years to her Prince Charming!....She was happy and able to find the Love she had wanted............... REMEMBER ME I never meant to leave you, Could I have only stayed; We would be going on in life, With all the plans we made. Now all the hopes and dreams we shared, Are but sweet memories; For you to tuck inside your heart, Now when you remember me. Remember all the good times, And all the joy we shared; Remember how you touched my life, And how I really cared. Think back on all the laughter, And wipe away your tears; You still have many miles to go, And still have many years. Don't look back....look forward, This day is a brand new start; And as you travel on in life, You'll take a bit of my heart. I never meant to leave you, But still you'll not be alone; For as long as my love lives in you, I'll never really be gone. ~ Author unknown Tami did not have children....but, she had an English Bulldog, named "Bubba"....she loved him so much and of course, spoiled him. Look at this! A "Bubba" made all from lego's! Tami worked for an insurance company and after work had started attending college and in addition was taking mentorship programs at work...to further her carrer and for self-gratification........knowing that her future would be better. All of a sudden one day...when it was time to re-new her courses, Tami said she didn't think it would be wise for her to take a full schedule....because she may not be here to finish out the course...........That was 6 months before her death. During that last 6 months.....Tami indicated in several ways that she did not think she would be around long.............I tried to encourage her, but, she would tell me to "pack up things I wanted to give her, and keep them for my Grandaughter (Angela's child)....and her niece, Chelsea.."......"After all," she said, "I won't be around to use these things, Maaa" Tami and her husband had planned a Cruise with his parents and already had the tickets....and 6 weeks before the Cruise, she told her mother-in-law....."I hope you won't be mad at me, but, I feel like something is going to happen that I won't be able to make the Cruise with you all....something is about to happen"........we had already purchased all her "cruise-wear" clothing...and she was prepared to go....never one to wait! 3-4 weeks before the Cruise was to take place, however, Tami developed a headache.......that she said was a "Killer"..........Tami did not usually have headaches........so, she consulted her sister, Angela....who had headaches most of her life.....Tami was convinced that this headache would "Kill" her.......She did go to the doctor and was told that she had sinusitis!!!...........was given medicines....but, her headache became worse.........and the day before Easter 2003, Tami asked me to take her to an antique shop..........where she walked right up to a jewelry case..... and found 4 beautiful, jeweled, CROWN pins.............She begged me to buy them and give one to her sister, Angela, one to her niece, Chelsea, one to me....and one for her...........When questioned why...she replied, "Well, its like the old song we used to sing at church, Maaaa...."When the battles over, we shall wear a Crown" "I want all of you to have one to remember me.....and soon I'll be wearing mine!".... I did buy these pins and Cherish them now........That same night, Tami experienced a 'gran-mal' seizure...and was rushed to the hospital. After about 2 hours at the emergency room.....another seizure happened, and I was with her.........After she came out of the seizure stupor....she said "Maaa, I'm scared"............I asked why she was afraid...and explained that anyone who experienced this trauma and awful event would be shaken....She said,..."But, Maaaa.......I don't want to close my eyes.......I may not see you anymore!".....I prayed with Tami, as I caressed her forehead and held her hand.......and prayed that God would give her Peace and not Fear........and reminded Tami, that God said he was going to prepare a place for us.........and if she woke up in a different place....for her to claim her own Mansion and to enjoy her new surroundings of Peace and Grandeur....... As Tami calmed down..........she was admitted to the hospital....and seemed to be at peace no matter what test were done to her..............She was in extreme pain with her head, however.!!! A team of specialist...could not find what was causing her headache.... other than Brain Edema......but, as for the cause.... they could not explain it. Mom, He Only Took My Hand Last night while I was trying to sleep, my daughter's voice I did hear, I opened my eyes and looked around but she did not appear. She said, "Mom you've got to listen, you've got to understand God didn't take me from you Mom, He only took my hand. When I called out in pain that morning, the instant that I died, He reached down and took my hand, and pulled me to his side. He pulled me up and saved me from the misery and pain my body was hurt so badly inside, I could never be the same. My search is really over now, I've found happiness within. All the answers to my empty dreams and all that might have been. I Love you so and miss you so, But I'll always be nearby My body's gone forever, but my spirit will never die And so you must go on now live one day at a time Just understand, God did not take me from you ... He only took my hand" ~ Author unknown Tami told me on the first day in the Hospital....."Maaa, promise to take of Bubba,.....you know I won't be going back home"..............This was the week before her Cruise the next weekend............So, of course, I encouraged her and did as she asked.............only to hear the same thing 3 times that week....... The third time....Tami winked at me and said "Maaa, its okay, ya know....I won't be going on the Cruise, and I won't be coming home"................so I winked back at her and said, "okay dahlin!!!" We will leave everything in God's hands....He knows best......".....I was shocked when Tami winked and smiled at me.....again...and said, "That's where it belongs anyway, maaa.......Its, okay" Tami had extreme pain.............and yet a Peace...thankfully. Tami was given the choice of taking a drug, for the pain, to put her into a 'drug-induced' coma...and she said to the doctor..."Well, bring it on".............Tami was in a coma for the last few days of her life.....and on the last day.............she was half-aware of what was going on.....but, she recognized all of her family there. Her beautiful blue eyes, that usually sparkled, however, were now greyish in color........and she was so weak..! I dreaded to leave the hospital that night,.....but was convinced by the nurses to leave......I had no sooner gotten into the parking lot...........than I had an experience.......I will NEVER forget..........I felt as though I saw Tami's Spirit pass over me..............I smelled her perfume........and I began screaming............ to my husband...... "Oh Lord, Tami has just left us, and we won't get to see our Tami anymore!".......Of course, he thought I was overwrought and tired........ and then, 20 minutes later, we were called to say that Tami had stopped breathing! I Knew her spirit as it had passed over me............!!! she was already gone back to Heaven........... The hospital could not rescusitate her...........and so she was taken to ICU and put on a ventilator..........!!! I told the doctor what I had experienced. and he said that was common with mother's and daughters! Tami had no brain activity for over 3 days....and on April 29, 2003.........her husband and the family made the decision to let her off the machines...........Tami was already in Heaven!!! Such a heart wrenching decision and such a devastating act to our family............A piece of me, as well as the rest of us........went with Tami...........my Heart will never Heal from this......but, my heart will go on..... One of Tami's favorite songs............ from the Titanic.....My Heart will go on and on !.........and so it does.... But Tami is missed so much, by all of us................We will always love our dear Tami...... forever and always,! Mom, (Maaa) I'm Free Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free I'm following the path God laid for me. I took His hand when I heard him call; I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day, To laugh, to love, to work or play. Tasks left undone must stay that way; I found that place at the close of day. If my parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared a laugh, a kiss; Ah yes, these things, I too will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life's been full, I savored much; Good friends, good times, a loved ones touch. Perhaps my time seems all to brief; Don't lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me, God wanted me now, He set me free. Author: Linda Jo Jackson This beautiful gift is from Laura's mom. A Note from Mom...(Maaa) Tami may not be with us anymore here on earth........but a legacy of love she left behind, will never be forgotten!.........Tami knew how to express her Love and taught me and others so much about Loving unconditionally....Tami loved the song of Celine Dion......"Have you ever been in love?"....it would bring her to tears.....She'd say that the song would say exactly how she felt......... Oh how she loved her dog, Bubba...he was her pride and joy.....!!! Tami taught me a great deal, during the last weeks of her life, here.....she taught me to "Look" for everyday Miracles...."Sometimes they are small and you must look Hard....but, they are there everyday, mom".......Oh, how I thank God for the Gift of being a Mother to Tami and her sister Angela....now a grandmother (mawmaw) to Chelsea. We used to have "girl days" and all go shopping, etc.......Now....Tami is where she can find all she wants or needs and never has to pay retail!!! What a wonder you were and still are Tami....to me and to all who met you,! You have left a positive impact on our lives and we are proud to have had you in our lives, my dear............I truly Thank God for blessing me with you in my life for 31 years..... My life has now been changed forever........but, one day I will see you again and we will have a reunion that will last for eternity!!!!!!! You are missed dahlin..............and still loved very much by all of your family...... Maaa, Dad, Angela, Kellan, Chelsea, ~~~~~~~~~ and of course "Bubba" BUBBA An Earth's Cry Why did you leave me? Earth was such a perfect place You left, we mourned Life isn't so perfect anymore. You brought me so much joy How you did what you did is forever beyond me, You were such a great person I learned from you. We had such good days together Your loved filled everyday I miss you Nana, more than words could ever say. The only peace in my heart I have is The Hope of that one day, seeing you in An even better world than this. When I see you I will be eternally happy. Your smile, your laughs, just you, Made you the wonderful woman you were. Written by Tami's niece, Chelsea Johns: for her "Nana" Please also visit My Sweet Angel Tami In Memory of Precious Angel Tami Forever in Our Hearts My Beautiful and Loving Tami Wait for me until I cross the Rainbow Bridge With My Love and Devotion Your 'Bubba' until we meet again For Tami One of God's Sweetest Creations Please always hold me close to your heart I know how you mourn each new day as it starts Some day your journey will finally end Our bond is eternal And I'll love you till then With my love to you and holding you close to my heart (This was one of those rare pages that made me cry the whole time it took to create it) Ann, Laurasmom In Loving Memory of Laura Ann Kimble A friend can hear a tear drop. This webpage is created In Loving Memory of Tamatha Jolynne varner Watsonon April 28, 2005 Last updated: April 29, 2009 © 2000 - 2009 Please visit Maria's Tribute to Christopher