1 more letter

Katie,

I hardly know where to begin. I think this is where most people feel compelled to offer all sorts of wisdom as you embark on the next significant phase of your life. And it is a significant phase. College is where you will learn many things, about the world, about a potential future career, and most importantly, about yourself. The person you are today and when you walk across the stage this Saturday is a person you can be proud of: intelligent, compassionate, opinionated, unique. But it is also a person who will be forever changed the moment you pass over the stage and leave childhood behind. In just a few years’ time, many things about yourself will change- your friends, your level of freedom, your finances. The things that shouldn’t change though are your relationships with your family and your personal faith.

Mom’s passing came at a very difficult time for you, I know. There will be lots of times when you will miss her-we all will. There may even be times where you feel regret for something you did or didn’t do, or guilt for being able to move on in life. You should know that this is exactly what you are supposed to do: live. If anything, the sudden passing of our mother is a message to us that life is so short, so we need to be about the business of living it to the fullest. She would want you to take every opportunity that comes your way and never look back, to have chances she never had, and to see and do things she always dreamed you would see and do. She loved all of us just as much, but in different ways. You were her last, her most precious and I know that if God hadn’t wanted her the exact minute He did, she would be so proud to watch you, the youngest, achieve such a significant milestone. She will still be watching, but in a perfect place that won’t be anywhere as hot as the bleachers are going to be on Saturday!

There is nothing I can tell you that you won’t have to learn on your own anyway, and sometimes in a hard way. Be courageous and bold, as no one ever reached a dream worth having without a lot of striving. In my own life I remember how challenging it has been to carve out my way in the world. But I promise that the greater the challenges the more exciting the accomplishment. Know that everything, everything has a purpose and that to take away the hardships that come takes away a part of the character forged in you. Work hard. Be respectful. Treat others with kindness. Show gratitude. Mean what you say and say what you mean. Learn to honor yourself, your mind and spirit and body. Pray without ceasing. And laugh a lot, don’t take yourself too seriously.

I love you and am very proud of you. I will be here to support you in whatever you need and wherever your path takes you. We all will be here for you.

Amanda

Letters

My younger sister Katie graduates on June 7th. As part of her senior scrapbook, she collected letters from family members.
I've placed some of these below.

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Katie Beth,

Well Katie, I have sat here and thunk hard about what I wanted to write. My brain doesn’t seem to be working so well tonight. You know, there are nearly seventeen years between us, me being the oldest, and you the baby. It seems at times that I think of you more as a daughter in some ways. Maybe it’s the age difference, I don’t really know. I absolutely love it when you come over and stay the night. It makes me feel like our bond is growing closer in spite of the age difference. I am so worried about you going away to school. I know that you have been raised with good values and morals, just like the other five kiddos, and that you will do fine. But, you are still the baby and so I am a little nervous. I think that you are a wonderful young
lady, even though you at times get short tempered. I love that you are a loving aunt to all three of your nephews, and seem to have a different relationship with each one of them that suits each ones personality. On a different note, I want to thank you for helping mom so much in the past few months. Even though it wasn’t easy to be at home and having her need your help so much sometimes, I am thankful that you were there and willing to help her with showering and other needs. I know that mom was so sad that her baby was leaving the nest, but she was so proud of you and your accomplishments. I know that you will make your whole family proud, in whatever you do.

Love your sister,
Heather

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Dear Katie,

I can’t believe you are graduating from high school in a matter of days. A very short time ago, I picked out your dress and braided your hair for your preschool classes. Mom was so proud of you at your preschool graduation and she would have been just beaming (despite the heat and her discomfort) at your upcoming high school graduation. Although you no longer need one of your older siblings to read you a story and lay beside you until fall asleep at night, I hope you know that everyone in this family is still here for you, whatever it is you may need. And although you may be annoyed, you will always be “the baby” of the family. Denton is a short drive from Sherman and Dallas. So if you are low on cash, need to do laundry, need help with school work, or just want to leave campus, give me a call. I can bail you out of trouble and I won’t even tell Dad. Speaking of Dad, try to remember to call him. A lot. He’s really going to miss you, even if he won’t admit it or seems gruff. I’m proud of your intelligence, resilience and independent spirit and these qualities will take you far in life. I’d encourage you to continue your volunteerism in college as this will further develop your capacity for compassion. You may talk tough at times, but the way you interact with your nephews and animals reveals your tender heart. Be cautious with strangers, but allow yourself to be open-hearted with close friends and your family. I can’t wait to see you reach your professional goal of becoming either a doctor or veterinarian.
I love you,

Laura

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Dear Katie,
How are you? Fine, I hope. It’s that time of the year again, high school graduations and Texas heat. It seems like yesterday I was chasing you around the yard. You liked playing tag with me. You were so cute when you were little. That was a long time ago, before you got too big for your britches. I am so proud of you, you’re so grown up and beautiful now. You’ve done a good job in school. I haven’t bragged on you because your head would swell up the size of watermelon. Ha! Ha! All kidding aside, your Mom was so proud of you; she’ll be watching graduation from Heaven. We have this summer, before you go to UNT, so we need to go see my parents and you might get to go to Kentucky. We need to bond as much as possible. I know you were close to your Mom and she was your biggest cheerleader. She was the go between you and I, she always smoothed everything over between us. It won’t be the same after you leave for school. It will be alright though, you’ll be able to come home on the weekend .I hope the weather cooperates Saturday, as long as it’s not too hot or humid, also no rain. All your brothers and sisters and your Dad will be there making all kinds of noise, the people there will know who you belong too. You’ll see!!! You’ll need to call me when you’re at UNT at least "onct a month". Ha-Ha, that’s a little hillbilly I got from your Mom. Once a week will be fine .When you're at UNT you're not supposed to date till you're at least thirty five. Ha-Ha. I guess you‘ll be able to go out, but no dirt bags or scumbags. The only advice I can give you is do the work and put your trust in the lord and everything will work out fine. Don’t forget where you came from and we’ll always be here for you. There’s more but I’m saving it for another time. I love you very much and
I’m so proud of you.

Love Your Dad!!!

Mom's Obit

Barbara Jo Muniz, 52, of Sherman, departed this life on Friday, May 23, 2008. Services will be 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 29, 2008 at Parkview Church of Christ, located at 815 S. Dewey St. in Sherman. Services will be conducted by Welton Stoker of the church and burial will follow at West Hill Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Waldo Funeral Home.
Barbara was born Oct. 19, 1955 to Bobby Jo and Ruby Stamper in Lexington, Ky. She married Lawrence Muniz on Dec. 31, 1980 in Richmond, Ky. They moved from Kentucky to Albuquerque, N.M., to Lubbock, Garland, and finally settled in Sherman in 1986. She had been a member of Parkview Church of Christ since shortly after that. Barbara loved her church family and drew strength from them. She was a very generous and caring woman who never met a stranger. In turn, Barbara was an active PTA mom, Sunday School teacher, lifelong student, crafts maker and avid reader. She and Lawrence raised six children and she was hoping to see her youngest daughter, Kathleen, graduate from high school. She missed it by a couple of weeks. We know she will be watching that graduation proudly, as she was proud of all her children's achievements.
She is survived by: loving husband of nearly twenty-eight years, Lawrence Muniz of Sherman; daughter and son-in-law, Heather and Blair Commons of Sherman; daughters, Amanda Muniz of Oklahoma City, Laura Muniz of Dallas and Kathleen Muniz of Sherman; sons, Jesse Muniz and fiancee Cona Dhane of Sherman and Matthew Muniz of Sherman. Mother, Ruby Lawrence of Mt. Sterling, Ky.; father, Bobby Jo Stamper of Jefferson, Ky.; grandmother, Hazel Donaldson of Mt. Sterling, Ky.; sister, Margie Hall of Jefferson, Ky.; aunts, Vandetta Stamper of Mt. Sterling, Ky., Nelda Corman and husband Bill of Georgetown, Ky.; uncles, Raymond Donaldson and wife Jeanette of Mt. Sterling, Ky., Jackie Donaldson and wife Sandy of Mt. Sterling, Ky.; a niece, nephew and many cousins and extended family. She is also survived by father-in-law and mother-in-law, Raymond and Rafealita Muniz of Albuquerque, N.M.; brothers-in-law, James, Arthur, and Raymond; sisters-in-law, Lorraine, Betty and Susie, and their extended families. She is also survived by granddaughter, Sara Commons and three grandsons, Jon, Dylan and Levi Commons of Sherman, who will dearly miss their "Granny."
Pallbearers will be Jesse Muniz, Matthew Muniz, Blair Commons, Bradley Brooks, Kevin Brooks and Jason Hale.
The family will receive visitors from 6 - 9 p.m. Wednesday evening, May 28 at Waldo Funeral Home.
Barbara loved her husband and children very much and we're all going miss her very much.