The Kids Get Their First Kung Fu Belt! - Mountain Vista Homeschool Academy 2-24-11

For most of this school year, I've dropped Joel, Rebekah, and Annabelle off at Mountain Vista Homeschool Academy on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons for their Kung Fu classes. I had no idea that they were learning so much! This week, was "belt testing day," so I stayed a watched! Was I impressed! I took some photos of Annabelle and her friends proudly wearing their belts when the day was over. Congrats to all!

Remembering February 15, 1961

This week, I took the kids to The Broadmoor Hotel for a memorial service. We, along with members of the Broadmoor Skating Club and the Colorado Springs community, remembered the tragic plane crash that killed the entire US World Figure Skating Team 50 years ago.

Annabelle, Rebekah, and I ended up in the local newspaper!

Death is Nothing at All

Death is nothing at all.
I have only slipped away to the next room.
I am I and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other,
That, we still are.

Call me by my old familiar name.
Speak to me in the easy way
which you always used.
Put no difference into your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.

Laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me. Pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word
that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effect.
Without the trace of a shadow on it.

Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same that it ever was.
There is absolute unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?

I am but waiting for you.
For an interval.
Somewhere. Very near.
Just around the corner.

All is well.

Henry Scott Holland

My Mom Is Put to Rest and Our Family Comes Together to Celebrate Her Life - February 11, 2011

As I reflect about today, I am trying to figure out the right word to describe it. I think the word LOVE has to be it.

Today was a day all about LOVE because I was surrounded by people that LOVE one another.




We came together to say good-bye to my mother, Edith Kadison Schneider. So many of my relatives and friends came together. That was all about LOVE.

I got to be with my dad, my sister, Lynnellen, and my brother Billy. I got to be with my sister's children and grandchildren. I got to be with my husband's mother, brothers, and my sister-in-law. My father's brother, Bobby, and his cousins and aunts and uncles were there. Their children came to be with us. My mother's cousins, nieces, and nephews, and their children were with us. My dad's very best friend's wife and daughter came to be with us. My closest and lifelong friend, Marion, and her husband Bruce, were there. Also, my sister's childhood friend, Sue, was there. A friend from roller skating and ice skating shared the day with us too.

Just seeing family and friends in one place was beautiful.

I said good-bye to my mom.

I hugged and hugged those I loved.

It was a long day. The service was beautiful. Rabbi Steven Moskowitz from Temple Israel in Long Beach did a wonderful job. My dad again shared the same thoughts and reflections and poems he shared at the Colorado service we had on Monday, February 7.

Then, I shared the same presentation I gave all about my mom (that also is in this blog) that I'd shared in Colorado on Monday. The memory slide show was shown once again.

We then moved to where my mom was put to rest. That was a difficult time for me, It was also so very difficult for my dad. It was especially hard when we saw my mother's coffin locked shut and moved to where other Schneider family members are resting. Seeing my Grandpa Max and Grandma Fannie names there brought tears to my eyes.

Once we got to the reception the "Celebration of Edith Kadison Schneider's Life" began. It was the most special time. My dad took the time to say a few more words and an open mic session followed. My Uncle Bobby shared some of his memories of my mom, then Lynnellen's close friend Sue, shared memories, followed by my dad's closest friend (Jerry Smith) daughter, Karen, then Lynnellen's son Cody, and then my best friend Marion.

Sue and Karen remember how my parents welcomed them into their home. Cody remembered his "little sweet Grandma" and how she was so scared to see him and his brother Drew ride scooters too fast down the street! Marion asked my dad why my mom and dad let her drive their car when she was only 16 and a brand new driver!

Then there was more visiting and love was passed around. It was hard to say good-bye.

Celebration of Life Memories For My Mom - Edith Kadison Schneider 2-7-11

The Colorado funeral that took place today for my mom is over. Although it was a sad day, it was a great celebration of my mom's life. Rabbi Don Levy from Temple Beit Torah (where we are members) ran the service. After some prayers and readings from the rabbi, my dad shared some of his memories of my mom. My brother Billy then shared.

Daddy shared how my parents had been together for over 60 years and inseparable throughout life. He took the poem "Annabel Lee" (by Edgar Allan Poe) and changed part of it to "My Darling Edie."

Billy had wonderful memories to share too. He talked about how he took for granted all the things my mom did for him when he was a kid. He talked about how she made sure that he got to where he needed to be and ate right. He talked about how she made sure all he needed for skating competitions was ready. He talked about how dedicated a grandparent she has been to his children. He talked about how he took my mom to baseball games!

I had planned to read the memories I wrote on this blog about my mom, but instead, I sort of did both. I read some stuff and I just talked about what I wrote. I had six pages of memories, so it took me awhile to share them all! (My kids told me later that they thought their mom is a pretty entertaining speaker!)

Then, Sal Mancini sang "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine" and played his guitar. We all joined in the chorus. (I asked Sal if he could perhaps learn the song over the weekend. I just knew my dad would enjoy hearing Sal sing at the service.)

After Sal sang, I put together a slide show to music that showed lots of photos from my mom's life.



After the ceremony, everyone went to the Schneider family home in Larkspur for lunch. There we celebrated my mom's life by spending quality time with people that have been close to my family for years. Everyone there, except for the rabbi, we have known through skating.

Sal brought his guitar in the house and I asked him to sing "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine" again for my dad.



Now, it's time for the 2nd funeral which will take place this Friday, February 11, 2011 at 10:00 AM at Forest Lawn on Cherry Ave. in Long Beach. All are welcome.

Memorial Service For My Mom Edith Kadison Schneider - Rescheduled for Monday, February 7, Castle Rock, Colorado

Edith Kadison Schneider's (my mom) memorial service has been rescheduled for this coming Monday February 7, 2011.

11:00 AM (visitation time begins 9:30 AM)
Olinger Andrews Caldwell Gibson Chapel
(303) 688-3191
407 Jerry Street, Castle Rock, Colorado 80104.

A reception lunch will follow at the Schneider family's home in Larkspur, Colorado.

All are welcome.

In Lieu of Flowers...my dad has asked that gifts be sent to to either US Figure Skating's Memorial Fund or to the Rosalind Franklin University of Health Sciences/Chicago Medical School where he is on the faculty.

A second memorial service will be held in Long Beach, California on Friday, February 11, 2011 at 10:00 AM at the Forest Lawn Mortuary on Cherry Avenue. Details to follow.

• My Mom, Edith Kadison Schneider, Died 1-29-2011
• All About My Mom - Edith Kadison Schneider

My Mom's Memorial Service - Delayed Due to Weather

Weather conditions have delayed my mom's memorial service. If you were planning on attending this Thursday, cancel your plans until further notice. Details on rescheduling to follow.