A Daughter's Love
Keep In Memory CEO Gives Eulogy to Beloved Mother
12/21/17
At age 35 years old, our Chief Empath Officer (CEO), paid homage to her mother, who transitioned on December 15, 2017 at the age of 54. Through love and faith, she coordinated all the funeral arrangements, applied her deceased mother's makeup, purchased her clothes, and helped do her hair one last time. Although many thought the task was too hard, she also served as the official minister, eulogizing and performing the last rites of committal for her beautiful mother. On December 21, 2017, as she laid her mother to rest, our CEO began the journey of Keep In Memory (KIM). By performing these courageous acts of love and the numerous things she does to celebrate and honor her beloved mother, she learned hands on how to navigate the journey of bereavement.
Kim Marie Custis (Goodwine)
December 4, 1963- December 15, 2017
Turning Pain Into Purpose
I never thought in a million years, I would lose my mother at such a young age. She will never see me walk down the aisle with the love of my life, birth my first baby, or simply be a phone call away. On December 5th 2017, I never could've predicted that would be my last time hugging her, as she walked into the airport from our mother-daughter time in Chicago for her 54th birthday. Who would have thought our first and last mother-daughter photoshoot would be how I KEEP IN MEMORY all the good times when none of this makes any sense to me. My mother died in her sleep from natural causes ten days after leaving my home on December 15, 2017. The morning she died, I never returned her phone call from the day before. Today, every year that passes, I never go to bed December 14th. Instead, I replay her voicemails wishing I picked up my phone that day. I can still remember how she looked as I dressed her and applied her makeup, one last time the day before the funeral.
Keep In Memory is the homage I owe to my mother and GOD for carrying me through these years and teaching me how to celebrate her life, honor her daily, and navigate my new normal. I can still hear her voice in my head when I close my eyes and teleport to our thousands of memories, arguments, and fun times. There are days I believe my mom went HOME with God, so that I could find my HOME on earth. In the course of my journey, building a new life without her presence, I do so many things to Keep In Memory all the good times and things she valued and taught me. Every time I would do something to honor and celebrate my mother, it was if her angel wings were propelling me towards inner peace, love, and God's promises. At times, the journey seems bittersweet since she isn't here physically to witness my new life. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, I uprooted my life from the United States of America and relocated to Spain. It is in this place of peace, I let go of my guilt and profound sadness, and realized all along, God was giving me beauty for my ashes. As I honored and celebrated my mother, the more joy, peace, and understanding I received about this journey of life and death. In the midst of my pain, God gave me a new mission to help others build Heaven On Man's Earth, (H.O.M.E) with understanding that pain and grief is a part of our shared human experience, and Living Intentionally Full Everyday (L.I.F.E) is a choice despite our loss.
I pray Keep In Memory inspires this generation and generations to come, to loose what is in heaven on earth, by lifting up the names of our ancestors, and fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
Dear friends, pain can either paralyze you or propel you, I hope you choose LIFE! Welcome to the journey.
Kim's Daughter aka Isha Haley
Chief Empath Officer (CEO)