You don’t hear the name “Stella” quite often anymore, but the name means, “star,” and that’s what she was, in every way.  She was the most creative person I’ve ever met, in all aspects of her life. 

I remember once, when my brother, sister & I were in our tweens, she sat us all down for a family meeting (my dad too) . . . in the bathroom.  We all were a little confused as she started to demonstrate, very professionally, how to replace an empty toilet paper roll.  When she was done, she congratulated us and handed us each a diploma, tied with a ribbon and hand-written in calligraphy that stated we were now officially Toilet Paper Engineers!  I cannot to this day change an empty toilet paper roll without thinking about it.  As a little kid my memories are of her volunteering at school & church, teaching me how to wash the dishes, helping us make the best school projects ever, sitting patiently with me as I practiced the piano (our basement was big & creepy- I whined about going down there to practice alone so she would come with me & just sit for 30 minutes after supper.  How many things she could have been doing in that time!)  Throughout my teenage years she was a rock.  I could tell her anything and she was calm, understanding, practical, wise.  Sometimes she knew I was going to mess up, but she let me anyway. . . and because of that I had more respect for her judgment than any amount of strict discipline could have created.  She had many mottos but two of her favorites were, “Be yourself” and “Always look your best.” On that last one she was not willing to compromise a bit.  My sister and I realized soon enough that what she really meant was “Beauty before comfort”--  You iron your pajamas if they need it.  You take the time to accessorize.  And never, I repeat never, be seen in public without your makeup!  As a wife she has been a great role model for me.  My dad’s never been shy about saying that she was way out of his league- being 21 when he was only 17 on their wedding day.  Yet she loved, supported and respected him always and taught us that wives submit to their husbands… at least you make them think they’re in chargeJ   She loved and adored all children.  I’ve been told that before I was born she wanted 12.  After I came she decided to cut it back to 6. Then, after my sister was born she decided 3 would be enough!  However even after we all grew up she dedicated her life to teaching them at church and in the public schools.  Once the grandkids came along, there was no doubt that she was born to be a Nonni.  She would take the Greyhound 8 hours to Kentucky to spend time with her babies.  She lived to feed them, bathe them, dress them up & take their picture.  She helped them learn to walk and talk and sing karaoke.  She taught them about Jesus, prayed for their booboos and their future spouses and their decisions in life.  And right now she is spending time with her future grandchildren, in the place that we all come from and will all meet again someday!
 I know you all miss her too, and even though I could go on and on I want to also take this chance to say thank you… thank you, thank you, thank you for the support the staff & people of EWC have been to me and my family, for every meal, card, hug, visit or kind word. You may have wished there was something more you could do, but if you prayed you helped us in more ways than you know.  For all who believed with me for a miracle, don’t lose heart.  Don’t doubt your faith!  She is experiencing a greater healing than she could have ever known here.  We don’t know why but God does, and he sees your faith.  Those prayers were not wasted… my family and I reap the benefits of them every single day.  I looked up Philippians 1:3-6 to copy here to express how I feel toward all of you (“I thank my God every time I remember you…”), and that still applies.  But in reading the chapter I found a more fitting verse:  Phil. 1:19 “…and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance [or salvation].”  And yes, it hurts.  Right now it hurts a lot.  But my “Tylenol” is simply to see her in my memories past, and imagine her in my future home in heaven.  And to rest in the comfort of your prayers and God’s love.  Mom loved this church, and so do I- God bless! 
Lori Bush                                                                                                                            ewckids@eagleswaychurch.org