Dear Chad, Kelly, Corey and Bryan,
I am so proud of you and thank you for being our amazing children. Please promise me that you will continue to be amazing every day of your life.
Today I write this letter with a smile and not with tears. I want to make sure I have all of my bases covered before I can’t type with my fingers anymore so I’m asking our family and friends to help me. I am asking our family and friends to be your guardian angels after I’m gone just in case you need more than one.
When I’m gone you will go through periods of grieving but please don’t let it last too long. Life is way too short to let something like this give you an excuse to be sad. Cry as much as you want but don’t waste too much time because you all have amazing work to do. Please promise me you will continue to make a difference in the lives of the people around you. You all have such huge hearts with which you can help people, even if it is with a simple smile or a tight hug.
Please use your intelligent minds to do good in our world. The good doesn’t have to be newsworthy, but it should feel good in your heart.
Please try to be generous with your time and money. Even if you don’t have an overabundance of either, at least do something. I guarantee it will make you feel good.
Some days you may not feel like smiling, so use every ounce of your inner strength to help you smile. Some days you may have to wear your Chad, Kelly, Corey and Bryan-colored glasses to see the sunshine or a beautiful flower, but if all else fails please feel free to borrow my Rosemary-colored glasses and hopefully you will see beauty in your world just like I do. And if Rosemary-colored glasses don’t work, take a nap or go on a run, I guarantee you will feel better.
I know you will continue to take care of Dad, but make sure he gets out often. He is so lucky to have you four to help him celebrate life every day.
I’m not sure if I will be able to help you from the place I am heading, but I can guarantee that my love will always be with you wherever you go, just like it is today.
Thank you for helping Dad and I live amazing lives. I love you all like crazy. You are my favorites.
Mom
Live Simple, Love Like Crazy 
What an amazing women Rosemary was!! May we all be blessed by sharing the love she shone every day for just being Rosemary!!! An awesome mom, grandmom, sister, daughter and friend beyond explanation. Her words alone speak of the wholesome example she has been for many years to many of us.. I am saddened I just found this website and was out of state for her celebration! May God lift you each up knowing you all did what was best for her until her last breath. God is good and she would be proud to know we truly are celebrating her and the legacy she has left. Lynn Boyd
Rosemary, your words are beautiful and truly moving. What a blessing your kids have in you as their mother.
Such phenomenal advice and guidance to your loved ones. Phenomenal!!!!!
Rosemary I consider it a great privilege to have known you – if ever so briefly – while Chad was running x-country at MCC. Thank you for giving us all a model to follow as our journey begins. Kevin Woods
Words can not express what I am feeling from reading this beautiful letter. Know that you are so loved and you and Mark have a loving family/friends who will be there for your children. You too, my dear, will also be there for them. Mark and you have been wonderful role models for the kids and grandkids. They will always know that Mom/Grandma will always love them and will always be there, in every way, to help and support them. That is why you are called an Angel. Love you so much. Don and Ellie
…Rosemary-colored glasses…Love it
I think of you every day…
I LOVE YOU…
…KNOW IT ;)
Beautiful letter Rosemary…..
Rosemary you are such a kind and loving sole. Your children will be okay. They will have a precious guardian angel looking over them everyday. I read what you post and I am so proud to call you my friend. You show me everyday that I should just look forward. God Bless you and your family. Margie Rewalt
Rosemary, I thought I would let you know…my beloved father died many years ago at the age of 47! He was a great Dad and I miss him very much-BUT what I want you to know is-many times I can hear him and feel him usually setting next to me in the passenger seat of my car. If I am processing an issue he will ask questions and make comments I can hear in my head! I always end those conversations with “ok Dad I got it”! Then I move forward pretty much sure I am heading in the right direction :). Somehow I see you riding “shot gun” ! XXX Chris
WOW-You are so good with words! Praying for peace and happiness this Holiday Season for you and your family!
Rosemary, you and Mark have been such wonderful role models, not only to your children, but to many of their classmates. I know for a fact, because Jeremy and Nikki speak so highly and lovingly of all of you too. It is an honor to know you and your family. God Bless you all, for you all being a part of our lives has been a Blessing. – Love Carol & the Hodges Family
With a mom like you they will be fine. You will be with them always.
Rosemary what a wonderful letter to your amazing children! It literally broke my heart reading it because it is the reality of what is going to happen…and yet, it is calming because you have such grace and dignity; your children are amazing because of their mother and father. There are no 2 finer people that I know, than you and Mark. ~ Julee Peterson
Beautiful