Ham and Sam. That's what Momma called us. We were so very close being only thirteen months apart. We were best and first friends. You couldn't see one without the other. I was your " Nonnie" and you were my " Big Brudder". We shared everything including our imaginary friends Gigi and Coco" . You were always a character. You began walking at 8 months and used to use the broom handle to lift the latch on the screen door and go for a walk down the street all by yourself! You really kept Momma hopping just to try to keep up with you. Once when you were 2 years old we went to a neighbor's house and were asked to never come back because you had reached into her fishbowl and squeezed all of her goldfish into pieces! By age six you were putting together intricate model cars, oftentimes in just a couple of hours. You were truly an intelligent person, getting bored very easily. You always had to be either putting something together or taking it apart, a trait that followed you all of your life. Then there was the Christmas when we were 3 and 4 that you found the gifts that Santa" had hidden. Momma came into the room to find us celebrating an early Christmas. She was not happy about that!

 By the age of 4 you had moved on to shall we say more creative projects. Like the time we were playing barber. I took my chubby fingers and said "Snip,Snip,Snip. When it was your turn you got Momma's pinking shears and actually went "Clip, Clip,Clip' and cut off my braids. Momma cried for a month! I can never forget how at night I used to cry and you would always say, Come here Nonnie and let me hold you" I would scramble out of my twin bed and you would hold me until I fell asleep. 

By the 8th grade you were the life of the party. You never met a stranger and were always bringing home new friends. That was the year when you were in detention for something of course you hadn't done... You stacked chairs to be able to reach the clock and set it forward so that everyone got out early. Sister Thomas Moore was not pleased with you at all and made you sit out everybody else's detention that was in the class. 

Then came the driver's license and Bernadette your low - rider Chevy Impala with its 16 coats of iridescent paint. You were the envy of all other the neighborhood boys. Once you took me with you to the Hollywood skating rink where the low-riders hung out and I was so proud of being with you.

Time went by. You went into the army and got married and I went to college. You were blessed with two of the kindest, loving and good children any Father would be proud to have.

I know that we didn't always get along and almost every time we talked it would go so wrong. So Many things that we meant to say and never got the chance. You were my Big Brother and I love you like no other and in my heart you will always be. Our last time together we hugged and held each other tight. I felt safe and was your Nonnie " again. Sometimes you never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory. I will always hold our last time together as one of our great moments.

               Grampy-paw

 This is the name you gave yourself for Croix and he loved saying it!  It was also the name you called him in return. Croix was your pride and joy. You beamed with pride and love every time you saw him. I knew I could brighten your day just by handing him the phone to talk to you .When Croix was born you said how much you dreamt of being of grandfather and having a grandson to fix cars with. I'll never forget when they put Croix in my arms how much I was taken aback and went wow my baby looks like a little Clifford and then you came to see him, held him and looked at him with a room full of people and said I don't know who he looks like and we all laughed and said he looks just like you . You said you didn't see it, but when he sees pictures of you as a little boy he thinks it's him. 

 When I asked Croix, what did he enjoy most doing with Gram-pee-paw he says working on moms  moms car. I know this is not only his favorite memory but also a moment you enjoyed with him to the fullest. The last time you worked on my car you asked him to help you and asked me to take a picture because somehow you knew it was a moment to cherish. We often laughed at that day and how Croix took off when you pressed the trigger for the air drill and then ran inside and you told him it wouldn't hurt him it was just loud and as soon as he came out feeling ok, then you pressed it again just to see him take off and run again, that was something that you really got a kick out of. Even through the fun, you and Croix managed to get the car done and he still takes tires off of all of his toy cars because he says he's doing like Grampy-paw. 

 When it came to Croix, you had a patience with him that I can safely say you didn't have with anyone else because as you would say, patience was not your thing. But somehow you knew to enjoy every moment with Croix and he knew to enjoy every moment with you. You always made a way to make sure that whatever Croix wanted, he got and would say that you were supposed to spoil him because that's what Gram-pee-paws do. Even this last Christmas you said  well what kind of crazy toy does Grampy-paw  want this year , because you wanted to make sure he got it . 

 Although he has many gifts from you, the best gift was your love. Croix has asked me, where's  Grampy-paw and I tell him, you're in heaven and now his angel. I know the love and pride you had in him will never leave because it's still felt. I will be sure to always speak of you so he never forgets you and when he does something like you I will tell him so he knows that he is part of you and you will continue to live on. I thank God that you had the opportunity to be a Grampy-paw, because it gave you the greatest joy.

Dad,

I was proud to be your daughter and you always told me how proud you were to have me as your daughter. You gave me the name Lu-Lu and always referred to me as Lu-Lu or little girl. Sometimes you'd say little girl when making a point and I would just think, gosh I'm old, why does he call me that and it would make me so upset but I never said anything  because you would also say that I was daddy's baby girl. Even as a 35 year old woman, I knew I was still your baby. They say there's nothing like being daddy's little girl and I know it's true. We shared a bond, and I saw so much of myself in you .I'll never forget how I said dad Todd says you found me on the doorstep and you laughed and said Lu-Lu don't be so silly I'm your daddy cause you have Daddy's same funny little toes, and sure enough I looked and I did ( and still do) . From that point on anytime we were around each other I would take notice of anything you did that I also did and be in awe that I was in fact a part of you and proud of it . I believe with parents, children get a piece of both and I can honestly say, I have a perfect mix. I'm one of the few girls that can tell  what kind of car is behind in the rearview mirror just by seeing the headlights and I get upset when someone doesn't know the name of a car, it's an outright insult to not know what kind of car that is, how can someone be so foolish! I got my love for cars from you and enjoyed us watching Car and Driver or Car Roadshow on my couch, all moments that I would later cherish. 

We had many conversations and I always felt that I could tell you exactly how I felt, you never judged or questioned and even times when you thought you were you would say I don't want to seem like I'm prying but the funny thing is, is that you weren't. I knew I could always call you if I had any issues especially with my car and you'd say let me call around and get the part and I'll be there in the morning to fix it , and sure enough you would be here the next morning. You never laughed at my dreams and when I decided to buy an old ice cream truck, you were just as excited as I was that this big white truck was sitting in my driveway and you had something new to work on every day. You shared in my dreams.  

To me you were the first comedian I enjoyed, even when you said something just in conversation not trying to make a joke, it would have me laugh and I was impressed with myself if I could do the same to you. You were creative, thought outside of the box, felt there's a way around everything, wouldn't take no for an answer, and couldn't keep still, all traits that I know I got from you so I understood you.

When we last spoke you told me how you hated being sick cause you couldn't just hop up like you've always been able to do. You always stayed so busy and had the same mentality as I have which was to try to fit in as much in the day as possible, don't let there be any wasted time. I now know that God had a plan for you, he allowed you to pack in all the fun life had to offer in your 64 years.  I miss you so much but also have a peace in knowing that just as you were busy here, your body is now at rest because you gave all of yourself while you were here. My heart misses you but I also know that you are at peace, no longer rushing to fit everything in because God has given you eternal life. You recently told me how much you missed Gran, a thought I'm sure came to prepare you to see her again as I believe you are with her again and the two of you will watch over us. I love you so much Dad, and I thank you for all that you were to me. I will forever be your baby girl no matter how old I am and I will always hold you in my heart and thoughts because you are with me and I will forever be a part of you. Proud to have been your little girl and you my Dad. 

 Forever Your Lu-Lu

Clifford,
I love you and miss you so much. You were my Big brother and will always be. I was always so proud to have you as my big brother. I knew that no matter what you always had my back and I had yours. We had many happy memories together but some of the best was our time when I lived with you in Alaska. I know that this was one of the happiest times not only for me but also for you. I will always cherish these memories. I can't believe you're gone but I know you are with our Mother and you are both watching over us. You had my back here on earth and I know you will continue to have it.
Love Guy

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Clifford Gabriel Collins

8 septembre 1951 – 31 décembre 2015

Acheson & Graham Garden of Prayer Mortuary

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