ARMED WITH THE WEAPONS OF EXCELLENCE, DIGNITY, AND ENDURANCE
EXPLORING AND THE AWESOME POTENTIAL OF BEING HUMAN
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ARMED WITH THE WEAPONS OF EXCELLENCE, DIGNITY, AND ENDURANCE |
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EXPLORING AND THE AWESOME POTENTIAL OF BEING HUMAN |
Carol Ruggie's Memorial Service Continued - Page 4
In Loving Memory of Carol Ruggie
(1945-2007)
In addition to being loving and devoted, Carol was also kind of magical. I remember we were at Crain Creek up by Sandusky walking by a lake filled with lily pads.
“Oh, take a picture of all those lily pads, Roger.”
“Why,” I asked.
“Because I know somewhere among all those lily pads there is a little frog watching us. We can find it later when we develop the picture.”
Well, here is the photograph I took. Do you see a frog watching us?
The Enchanted Frog
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Can you find the little frog's eyes looking at you?
Carol loved unconditionally. How people treated her wasn’t an issue, she loved because it was the best way to live her life. She was devoted, determined, persistent, and not afraid to take risks, especially if it might benefit someone else. She solved her problems and conflicts by simply moving forward and concentrating on the positive. She was beautiful, classy, and had an air about her of mystery and enchantment. If you knew her, you were often captivated by her energy and positive attitude. If you loved her as I did, you became enriched beyond measure. She was and still is the wind beneath my wings.
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Carol Remembered in Photographs
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Crystal Cave - Put-n'-Bay
I designed the following street sign as an indication of what it is like trying to kee0p up with Carol. She is so active, unpredictable, every where at once, a bundle of energy, a regular fireball. I thought the street sign was most appropriate for someone like me trying to follow in her footsteps.
Carol also told me she wants to go out with a bang, literally. She wanted her ashes placed in a sky rocket fire cracker and launched into the heavens to be scattered about with the beautiful firework explosion that followed. Well, Carol, I have good news.
On June 9, 2008, my daughter Robin and I are leaving with Reverend Mark Simone from the Chagrin Falls Federated Church for Sparrow Village in South Africa. A fantastic fireworks display is waiting for us there!
Good-bye Carol.
Closing Prayer reads by Rev. Mark Simone
Dear Lord, we thank You for bringing Carol Ruggie into our lives…
We thank You for her example of how to care for others with dignity…
Of how to accomplish our endeavors with endless perseverance…
Of how to live life with positive enthusiasm…
Of how to spread happiness and joy to all around us…
Of how to find courage to go into the unknown for the benefit of others…
Of how to know You will watch over us as we do your work…
Of living with the belief that when we serve others, we are serving You as well…
Dear Lord, You have taken Carol from us…
But You have left behind for our use,
her dignity,
her class and style,
her love for humanity,
her tireless involvement caring for others,
and the knowledge that You are in always in our hearts…
Dear God, we thank You for Carol, and we pray we continue to enrich our lives and the lives of others as we do Your work, but now enhanced from Carol’s examples of excellence...
A-Men
