Fond Memories from Syl’s Kids

Douglas Family Portrait 1977 (L-R):
Bob, Cattie, Papa Rog, Mama Syl, Sandy, and Bret

Happy Monday, Ms. Viv ‘Nim Fanatics!

 

It’s been well over a week since we bid farewell to Sylvia Esmeralda Douglas. Her homegoing celebration took place in her hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota on Friday, April 20, 2012. Aside from the family, we can confirm that Ms. Viv was there to pay her respects, as was Rev. Stanley D. Richardson, pastor of First Baptist Church in Culver City, California. The eulogy was given by Syl’s pastor, who spoke from the subject “Shine On, Sylvia!” The subject was inspired by Matthew 5:16.

In today’s blog, Sylvia’s four children—all grown up with families of their own—sat with us and spoke about their beloved mother.


ROBERT LOUIS DOUGLAS: I would just like to thank everyone for their love, support, encouragement, and prayers. You know, I’ll be 64 in about four months, and let me say—it’s still new to me. I am grateful that my mom is in Heaven, but selfishly, I miss her so much. I had actually talked to her the day before she transitioned, and she was in high spirits as usual. And believe it or not, I’m really gonna miss how Mom would side with my wife Tabatha and tease me, if for nothing but to drive me crazy. Mom, you’re one in a million—love you bunches.

CATHERINE SUZETTE DOUGLAS: The last conversation I had with my mom was literally three hours before The Lord called her home. It was a wonderful mother/daughter conversation in which, despite the fact that I’m 62 years old, she still volunteered her words of wisdom. That was Mom for ya—always giving her expertise. As a matter of fact, the last thing she said to me was, “Cattie, never forget to check to see if there’s water in the pool before you jump in headfirst.” Imagine my surprise when I found out that she had gone to Heaven. Even though it’s only been a week, I’m grateful that I got a chance to talk to her before she left. I love you, Mom.

SANDRA NICOLE DOUGLAS-QUINN: I will forever cherish April 11, 2012. I had just come home from work—I was tired and wanted to take a nap. As soon as I nodded off, the phone rang. I started not to answer it, but something in my spirit encouraged me to pick up the phone. What a surprise—it was my mom. I told her about the long, arduous day that I had had, and she said to me, “If you need me to kick ass and pray for ‘em, I’ll do it, don’tcha know.” She had me laughing so that I had forgotten about my day. Mom and I were on the phone for two hours, then she spoke to my husband David, and finally she said, “You take it from here—you’ve got this, don’tcha know.” Looking back, I am so grateful that I answered that phone call. Mom did what she was supposed to do, and once her job was completed, she got promoted to a much higher position. Thanks for the pep talk, Mom—I’ll see you in that great day.

 

BRET GEORGE DOUGLAS: If I may paraphrase Tupac, there are no words to express the love I had—and still have—for my mom. There’s no way that I could pay her back for everything she did for me, but I do appreciate everything that she did for me. My last conversation with Mom was on Monday, April 9, 2012. We were on the phone for about three hours, to the point where my wife Susie joined in on our conversation. After our makeshift conference call, Mom said to me, “Happy 55^th, Baby Boy.” I chuckled and told her that she had another month before I turned 55, and she said, “I know what I’m doing—I love you, don’tcha know.” Only after I got the word that she went to Heaven did I understand that she really did know what she was doing. All I’ve got to say is—Thank you, Mom, and I love you too, don’tcha know.