Ken and I were so sorry to hear about Roma's passing. I have so many memories of Roma and Gary and working at Park 500. She was a good friend to me then and a mentor of sorts. She was quite a woman!

This is dedicated to my wonderful mother that gave me life and inspiration and to all our family.

Life’s Circle

All life begins evolving in a bubble of warmth, protected in safety and comfort. Living things all have a moment at which they become “alive”. That beginning of life marks the first point on the circle of life. We begin our journey‘s course to navigate to birth.

In a floating circle of darkness as we rest, contented and secure a bond begins to develop that for all our life will endure.

At last, a gentle reminder, to emerge from this unreal world becomes stronger,
As irresistible urges take control, a powerful force overcomes us and we enter a new world, the unknown.

But quickly a new warmth surrounds us, gentle arms embrace us with love
The gentle bond that once was is cemented, forever, from above.

In this new world of tenderness and love we grow stronger and learn day by day
Gaining wisdom, knowledge and guidance from those two strangers who made us this way.

All too soon we are grown and independent ready to leave our safe secure nest
Breaking the hearts of those who created us but knowing that they did their best.

We create our own style and destination and a new love will come, though we know not when and when it arrives, we are complete. This moves us all through despair and hope; through faith and love till we find our place on the path unwinding.

We feel the power as we see the future and the past, we are the visions appearing in the light, then ashes blow into the sky and the dust of earth is stirring then our souls arise from within.

Each of us make our own circle of birth to death; it’s complete before it starts, reborn to die again.

And the circle of life starts again.

I love you and miss you very much mom with every fiber of my being. This poem I dedicate to you and thank you for all the support, love, confidence and most of all patience with my up bringing.
Your ever loving,
Coast Guard Son!

Gary I express my deep condolence to your wifes passing. your old cedar level friend Richard Smith

I never knew Mrs. Ballard but to raise such a wonderful daughter as Jessica she was one wonderful lady. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all in your time of need.

This is a story my dad shared with me when my granfather passed away, I pass it on now to you. This is the best explination of death I have ever heard:

A sick man turned to his doctor,

As he was preparing to leave the examination room and said,

'Doctor, I am afraid to die.

Tell me what lies on the other side.'

Very quietly, the doctor said, 'I don't know.'

'You don't know?

You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?'

The doctor was holding the handle of the door;

On the other side came a sound of scratching and whining,

And as he opened the door,

A dog sprang into the room

And leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.

Turning to the patient, the doctor said,

'Did you notice my dog?

He's never been in this room before.

He didn't know what was inside.

He knew nothing except that his master was here,

And when the door opened, he sprang in without fear.

I know little of what is on the other side of death,

But I do know one thing...

I know my Master is there and that is enough.'

May today there be peace within you.

May you trust God that you are exactly

Where you are meant to be.

I believe that friends are quiet angels who lift us to our feet,

When our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.

Roma, you were and always will be one of the best people that I have had in my life. I will miss you more than words can begin to say. I love you and I will miss you. Thank you, for all of the years we worked together and have been friends.