Freda Waynette Virgin

In Memory of Waynette Virgin,

What does freedom mean? Defined, it is the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. For 80 years, Waynette has been burdened with limited freedom to act, think and speak as she wished. In addition to the physical limitations imposed on her body from birth to aging; she has been a prisoner to her own mind. Or has she?

Waynette, while a child in many ways, got to enjoy the best things in life as well. She loved good food. She loved good music. She loved to receive gifts. She loved to have visitors. She loved her family. She had faith. So many of these things that the rest of us often forget to enjoy and treat as just negligible events, for her were prized moments that she would remember and relive many times.

We can all take lessons from her to enjoy all of these small things. To savor the food we eat, not to just scarf it down. To really listen to music, the words and relate to it. To appreciate the gifts we are given, not just physical gifts, but the freedom we have from disease and limited abilities. To utilize the God-given talents we have. To make friends with strangers, those who are alienated from others, the lonely, the sick, those who don’t fit in with the “normal” narrow view that society often has. Most of all to love all of our family and friends, despite their flaws. As we know, time is fleeting and today might be the last any of us will see the sunrise, or the sunset. Most of all, we must have faith of something greater than ourselves, even though we cannot often see the reasoning behind everything that happens, the challenges that we endure, and the limitations often imposed on us.

Waynette was free to enjoy all of these moments, while we are impaired with the day-to-day problems, anxiety, and negative moments. Truly in many ways she was freer than we are. But now, she is truly free, no longer shackled to a body and mind that limits her. She now has moved to a higher plain where she can join her mother and her father, all of those family members that have gone before her. She will be restored and they will get to meet the Waynette that none of us really got to know previously. The same beautiful soul in a new form that will be able to openly communicate, express and emote. Truly the sky is the limit, and she can soar with the angels. May the heavens rejoice and welcome her to a new eternity, and bestow peace and inspiration on those of us left behind.

Rest in peace with love, from your family and friends.