Grief

    When you lose someone you love, Your life becomes strange, The ground beneath you gets fragile, Your thoughts make your eyes unsure; And some dead echo drags your voice down where words have no confidence.

    Your heart has grown heavy with loss; And though this loss has wounded others too, no one knows what has been taken from you when the silence of absence deepens. Flickers of guilt kindle regret for all that was left unsaid or undone.

     There are days when you wake up happy; Again inside the fullness of life, until the moment breaks and you are thrown back on to the black tide of loss. Days when you have your heart back, you are able to function well until in the middle of work or encounter, suddenly with no warning, you are ambushed by grief.

     It becomes hard to trust yourself. All you can depend on now is that sorrow will remain faithful to itself. More than you, it knows it's way and will find the right time to pull and pull the rope of grief until that coiled hill of tears has reduced to it's last drop.

     Gradually you will learn acquaintance with the invisible form of your departed; and when the work of grief is done, the wound of loss will heal and you will have learned to wean your eyes from that gap in the air and be able to enter the hearth in your soul where your loved on has awaited your return all the time.

    John O'Donohue

Dear Jenny and Brad
         Time has past since Amanda's passing.  I sit here in my quite apartment and I think of what I missed, not seeing her grow up.  I remember a shy little girl who did not have much to say.  She did not know who this strange lady was that came to visit, known as Great Grandma.  I know that God brought her to bring joy to your lives and family.  You both should know that you did all you could to make her last days as peaceful as it could be.  Brad I know how much love and time you gave to make Amanda's last few weeks comfortable and to be there for Jenny.  I thank you for that.  Jenny, how much love and joy it must give you, to know, you had Amanda even for a short time.  We are all blessed by God for giving us such a blessing.  We all must remember to love God and keep our faith that we will all meet again, someday.   

Bless you all. 
Love, Great Grandma Eloise

There was a stillness today and i  thought of your beautiful face with your rose colored cheeks. I began to feel an emptiness and began to replay the last few months of your journey.  You were robbed of soo many years of your life -yet you unselfishly expressed such love and concern for others you were leaving behind.  What a truly amazing person you had become. Your Momma and Daddy should  be proud the little girl they were given to love, hold  and teach right from wrong. Your journey was cut short and we miss you so
 Your strength and courage to fight for your life made me a better person and for that iam grateful. Until we meet again, i love and miss you Amanda. ~Aunt Wendy
 


Amanda touched my life when I lived with Steven and the girls for almost 2 years. I got to know her and love her unconditionally. She often rolled her eyes at me, but i always made her laugh. She loved to bake, and always found humor when Reece and Rilee came to visit. Amanda and I had some one on one time and she would open up to me just to talk about any and everything. I learned my beautiful niece loved her family (especially her big sister, Madie), liked to laugh, and mostly had a heart of gold.  I cherish the time I got with Amanda and praise Steven and Jenny for raising such an amazingly strong, sensitive young lady. It saddens my soul God took her too soon.  I find comfort knowing she's looking down on us cheering us on to be a trooper with life's twists and turns. I feel her presence in each ray of sunshine! I love you babygirl and until we meet again~Your Aunt Wendy

In 2012, I joined my Uncle Mike, Aunt Pat, Cousins Jenny & Stacy, second cousins, Madie & Amanda.  We had gone out for dinner and were walking through Cabella's afterward, when I turned around to see Madie & Amanda goofy around.

“A butterfly lands near us, and for a brief moment, its beauty belongs to our world...
...but then it flies on again, and though we wish it could have stayed, we feel so lucky to have seen it.”

I will always remember how loved she  was by her family and friends.  Within our hearts and memories,  Amanda will always be close by.  

Hopefully, at some point, tears will become smiles as memories of Amanda drift in and out of daily thoughts.

Lovingly, Great Aunt Linda and Uncle Dick






Dear Jenny, Brad and Madie and family, 
We are so very sorry for the terrible loss of your daughter, sister, and friend.   Her time on earth was spent well loved by so many.  She will live in our hearts forever.  
Love and prayers, Rebecca & Alex

I thought of you today
but that is nothing new.

I thought about you yesterday 
and days before that too.

I think of you in silence,
I often speak your name.

All I have are memories and
your picture in a frame.

Your memory is a keepsake 
from which I’ll never part.

God has you in His arms,
I have you in my heart.

I miss you so much, Amanda! ❤️🌹

Steven and Jenny we are  so very sorry for the loss of Amanda.  We will keep you in our prayers for healing, peace and comfort that only GOD can provide.  Love you both.

Who can say for certain
Maybe you're still here
I feel you all around me
Your memories so clear

Deep in the stillness
I can hear you speak
You're still an inspiration
Can it be
That you are mine
Forever love

And you are watching over me from up above
Fly me up to where you are
Beyond the distant star
I wish upon tonight
To see you smile
If only for awhile to know you're there
A breath away's not far
To where you are

When I’m Gone

When I come to the end of my journey
And I travel my last weary mile
Just forget if you can, that I ever frowned
And remember only the smile 

Forget unkind words I have spoken
Remember some good I have done
Forget that I ever had heartache
And remember I've had loads of fun 

Forget that I've stumbled and blundered
And sometimes fell by the way
Remember I have fought some hard battles
And won, ere the close of the day 

Then forget to grieve for my going
I would not have you sad for a day
But in summer just gather some flowers
And remember the place where I lay 

And come in the shade of evening
When the sun paints the sky in the west
Stand for a few moments beside me
And remember only my best

Steven and family,

I am so sorry for the loss of your daughter.  You and your family are in my thoughts during this sad time.

Mary Beth Burnside
former Western Oaks neighbor

My dear Brad and Jenny, I can't begin to know what you are going through at this time. My heart breaks for you all.  I have known you, Brad and  Karon for longer than I can remember, from a very young boy to a wonderful man and father to Amanda. Even though I  did not get to know Jenny and  Amanda personally, I heard so many wonderful things from Karon that I know just how strong Jenny and you are and what a sweet and brave young woman Amanda was. My prayers are with your whole family.
May you know that God is with you and  bless you all,
My love,
Charlotte

OBITUARY

Amanda Rae Eskew

March 20, 1999 – September 12, 2018

Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home and Memorial Park

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