The Mother of All Losses
You've been gone for almost a year,
A fact that still brings many a tear.
I wonder if you realize just how much I miss,
Your loving ways, your hugs and your kiss.
Some say that wounds are healed by time,
Yet my grief is still a mountain to climb.
One day at a time I try to get through,
The loss of a Mother as precious as you.
Sheryl Lynn Charland - March 31, 2009
A Dear Mother
Our lives go on without, you but nothing is the same,
We have to hide our heartaches, when someone speaks your name.
Sad are the hearts that love you, silent the tears that fall,
Living our lives without you, is the
hardest part of all. 
You did so many things for us, your heart was kind and true,
And when we needed someone, we could always count on you.
The special years will not return, when we were all together,
But with love within our hearts, you will walk with us forever.
Author unknown
Love Lives On
Those we love remain with us for love itself lives on,
And cherished memories never fade because a loved one's gone.
Those we love can never be more than a thought apart,
As long as there is memory they'll live
on in our heart. 
Author unknown
These Memorial Pages are being
created in order to honor and celebrate the life of a remarkable woman,
my Mother, Ann Dunn Parks.
Ann Dunn Parks, age 74, a retired R.N., O.C.N. of Phoenix, Arizona, died on Tuesday, April 8, 2008 of pancreatic cancer. She was born on April 18, 1933 in Quannah, Texas to Ben Roberts and Alice Scott. Her beloved husband, Dick Parks passed away in 2003. After which she sold her home in Arlington, Texas and moved to Phoenix, Arizona to help her oldest daughter and son in law, Debbe and Larry Wiener, start Boxed Greens, an online organic food store. she was the safety nurse and office administrator for this family business. She loved working with the employees and customers. She studied genealogy and enjoyed quilting and collecting old cookbooks. She loved bargain hunting and didn't pass by too many garage sales or thrift stores. Husband Dick Parks, daughter, Nikki Renee Dunn Brooks and brothers Joe Roberts, James Scott and Keith Scott preceded her in death. She was survived by daughters and sons in law, Debbe and Larry Wiener of Phoenix, Arizona and Sherri and Randy Charland of fort Worth, Texas, daughter, Teresa Dunn of Alvarado, Texas, sister and brother in law, Martha and Danny Smith of Temple, Texas, brothers and sisters in law, Charles and Wanda Scott and Kenneth and Diana Scott both of Alvarado, Texas, grand daughters, Tera Martinez, Trista Hooper and Keare Blaylock, grand sons Jarred Dunn and Tim Wiener, great grand children, Isaac Martinez, Cristian Martinez, Mikaela Martinez, Leann Hooper, Karen Hooper, Ethan Dunn, Alex Blaylock and Andie Blaylock.
A quote taken from an email from Ann to her daughter, Sherri: "Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away ~ After all, it's not a dress rehearsal."
Resume Razors pain you; Rivers are damp; Acids stain you; And drugs cause a cramp. Guns aren't lawful; Nooses give; Gas smells awful; You might as well live.
|
If I should go tomorrow, It would never be good-bye,
For I have left my heart with you, So don't you ever cry.
The love that's deep within me, Shall reach you from the stars,
You'll feel it from the heavens, And it will heal your scars.
Author unknown
After I am no longer in your physical world ~
Please don't tell me good-bye,
for my message to you is:
Move on, Be happy, Live your life,
Learn all that is meant to be learned.
Then when you cross over ~
You will know that I've been with
you all along ......
...... I never left you.
--- Sherri Lynn Charland 7-11-2002
Mother you filled my days with rainbow lights,
Fairy tales and sweet dream nights,
A kiss to wipe away my tears,
Gingerbread to ease my fears.
You gave the gift of life to me,
And then in love, you set me free.
I thank you for your tender care,
For deep warm hugs and being there.
I hope that when you think of me,
A part of you, you'll always see.
Author unknown
You Weren't Supposed to Die Yet
You weren't supposed to die yet. You were supposed to wait until I grew up. If you had truly loved me --- you would have taken better care of yourself. Now what am I supposed to do?
Who is gonna send me cards on my birthday and Christmas? Who is gonna drive me to the dentist and then take care of me afterwards? Who is gonna love me --- No Matter What?
No One --- When I Lost You, I Lost Everything.
Sherri Charland ~ June 2, 2008
Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free,
I'm following the path God has laid you see.
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, to play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I found peace 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,
Oh 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 one's touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your hearts and peace to thee,
God wanted me now; He set me free.
Author unknown
The next 5 poems were written for Ann
Parks by her youngest daughter, Sherri Lynn; AKA; Her Rotten Kid.
Sherri was given this as a nickname because of the 1st poem she wrote for her mom. Ann had said that the poem had made her cry & only a really rotten kid would do that to their mother.
A special mother God made just for me,
And no other mother can compare to she.
Lots of love to give from a heart made of gold,
My mother is truly a beauty to behold.
Always ready with a hug or a kiss,
Actions to fill my heart with bliss.
With wisdom and kind words to share,
As a jewel my mother would be quite rare.
Mutual respect we now have for each other,
A tribute to unconditional love is my mother.
--- Sherri Charland 04/13/2007
A Mom Leaving
From the moment I wake up until the time I fall asleep,
My thoughts are of your cancer and pain, then I begin to weep.
I've been through quite a lot in my life but nothing can compare,
The thought of you leaving is more than my heart can bear.
You've given so much to the world, your tender love so rare,
For you to now have cancer is proof that life's unfair.
I know I'm being selfish by not wanting you to go,
I want to make more memories & I have more love to show.
They say God's love is great but I don't see how that can be,
For Him to take you now shows that He has no love for me.
--- Sherri Charland 02-20-2008
Trying To Get Through
Again here I try to just get through this day,
Full of sadness and sorrow seems to be my way.
First I tried to ignore all the pain deep inside,
Now I try to work through this misery I hide.
If only my mind was stronger than my heart,
You're leaving me behind wouldn't tear me apart.
Lost, dazed and confused with no place to go,
My memories and thoughts are my biggest foe.
To figure things out is difficult at best,
I guess I'll keep trying until I'm laid to rest.
--- Sherri Lynn Charland 8-27-2008
Grief's Lonely Road
My days and my nights slowly tick away,
As I fumble through life keeping others at bay.
It wasn't long ago I believed I was content,
Now deeper in depression I continually descent.
Asleep or awake it really doesn't matter,
The essence of life I can't seem to captor.
I realize that my life is but a waste,
Never any joy with which to embrace.
I will pray each day that I will not implode,
As I struggle slowly down grief's lonely road.
--- Sherri Lynn Charland 9-01-2008
Heart of Darkness
Heart of darkness; a life full of pain,
Struggling each day is truly a strain.
Revisiting memories that I hold dear,
With every visit I cry a new tear.
I really believe that life is unfair,
I hope one day my heart will repair.
How long does it take to grieve is unknown,
I'm tired of living confused and alone.
On the outside I now look the same,
One day my life I hope to reclaim.
--- Sherri Lynn Charland 9-14-2008
Other Poems Written for Ann by Her Daughter:
Sign
the Guest Book for Ann Parks 
