Written by Braiden Rex-Johnson on May 27, 2013
I usually don’t link a story to my weekly Inspiring Moment posts, but this photo so perfectly illustrates my reflections about my aging father from just a little over a year ago that it seems fitting.
As an update, my father is still with us, although quite deteriorated over the past 12 months. We hold out hope, yet know that eventually that last blossom will fall.
Written by Renie on December 15, 2011
The young Fergusons
James Thomas Ferguson, my Daddy, passed away in 1996 at 96 1/2 years old. (Only people six and under and those over 90 used the ‘1/2’.) Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, he was a southern gentleman all his life. Ran a cotton business, buying from the farmer and selling to the people or the factories who made the cotton merchandise.
He married my American beauty California Mom, Lorene Denton, in 1935 while on a trip to Santa Diego and Santa Barbara to consider retiring. Fell in love, married, and had to go back to work at Ferguson Cotton Comapany in Shreveport.
Sixty-one years later on July 24th, we held to his southern actions and attitude in our tributes at the graveside funeral service. Had a confederate flag draped on the casket, and a three-piece jazz band play “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “When the Saints Come Marching In,” “Dixie,” and other beloved New Orleans music.
It was a fabulous, appropriate celebration of life. We danced under the small white tent on artificial grass on July 24, a very, very hot mid-summer day, smiling and glowing with perspiration.
The “vintage” Fergusons
Ten years later, we did this again, also in July, for my Mom, without the Confederate flag, but with the same music. She was 97. The only difference was that there were fewer people, and an older generation of grandchildren. We did dance…….and I think I saw her looking down through the holes in the floor of heaven with her eyes twinkling and a big ‘ole smile on her face.
With affection,
Renie Ferguson Steves
Written by Sheryl Phillips on June 30, 2011
We lost my Dad December 2, 2011, to Multiple Myeloma.
We just found out the end of October that he had it.
He wanted to be cremated and his ashes scattered in the ocean. He fought about that quite often with my stepmother; she didn’t agree.
Unfortunately, he didn’t have a will at the time of his death.
Luckily, she agreed to have him cremated, and asked to keep his ashes through the holidays.
We agreed and asked to spread his ashes for his birthday in February.
She has since said she cannot do it.
I am having a very hard time dealing with the fact that my Dad sits in an urn on her mantle and it’s almost July. I have been searching for something that says what is proper etiquette when it comes to the honoring of a loved one’s wishes.
I feel he is being disrespected by sitting on a shelf like one of her clown figurines!
I know she’s hurting; we all are. I can’t voice my concerns because she never answers the phone.
And my brother says, “What’s the hurry, he’s not here anymore.”
Isn’t this an integrity thing? If you love someone, shouldn’t you honor their wishes?
What would you have for your last supper?
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