Eulogy from her Service
I have been friends with Meredith since 1st grade. If you do the math that’s 23 years of friendship. We met at the shy and impressionable age of 6 at Arnold Elementary School. I remember Meredith’s quite voice and her sweet demeanor; she was always the teachers’ favorite. She was smart and studious, my polar opposite as I was the loud goofball who would act out and do anything to make others laugh. We became fast friends and our group soon grew to four as Meredith M and Morgan G entered our clan. The four of us were inseparable. Our sleepovers were epic! I remember one night in particular when we watched one of the scariest movies ever, Ernest Scared Stupid. While watching the movie her Mom snuck outside and proceeded to make noises and spray a fragrant mist through the window to give the illusion that there were monsters outside, she scared us so bad we just about peed ourselves. Another time we all went to Taco Bell and I had decided to challenge myself to eating as many hot sauce packets as I could and my chaser was some blue fruity drink. Naturally I ended up throwing up blue hot sauce everywhere. Meredith was not impressed! But after her initial disgust all she wanted to do was make sure I was feeling ok. She was always the caregiver of the group and she carried on that role throughout her entire life. I remember the first concert I ever went to was with Meredith. We went to see NSYNC and we thought we were the coolest kids to ever walk this earth. Our childhood together was one of adventure and never ending fun. We were going to best friends forever.
As I wrote my life story Meredith was always a constant influence. She’s been there for me through every changing chapter, our graduation, college, my engagement, the bridal shower, the wedding, my baby shower and the birth of my daughter. She was always there no matter how much time and life’s demands would keep us apart. We were friends forever.
Meredith’s family was my family. I still remember our times at her Gran and Poppa’s house. They treated me like one of their own, as did her Mother and Father. Meredith cherished family just as I did, which is one of the many values we shared. This past year I lost both of my parents unexpectedly only 5 weeks apart. Meredith was there as my comforter, my confidant and my friend. As many do when they lose a loved one unexpectedly, I found myself a little hole and I hid away from everyone and everything. But Meredith continued to check in on me on a regular basis. She would call, leave me messages, send me notes and texts just letting me know how much she cared about me and that she was there. Her texts were pages in length of the most eloquently written praises and admiration for how strong I was. She would tell me how proud she was of me for being such a loving daughter, wife and mother. And she would always end the conversation saying that she loved me and was praying for me and my family daily. She knew I was hurting and she took the time to check in on me, to lift me up, to encourage me and to show me I was loved.
If you were loved by Meredith you knew it. Her love was tangible, solid and steadfast. She loved with her whole heart and her whole being. When I think of Meredith’s defining characteristics I think of her genuine kindness, her unwavering loyalty, her compassion for those she loved including her fur babies. I think of her giving heart, her quiet and caring voice, her contagious smile, and that laugh. These traits are why we love her so much and why this hurt is so deep and devastating.
I can look around this room and know without question that Meredith has had an impact on every life in here. She was the kind of person who touched lives everywhere she went. She was a bright star on earth and her light will continue to shine through her legacy and the memories that we each get to cherish and carry with us until we meet again. Meredith will always be loved and forever missed.
