In Loving Memory of Miss Carol

Given permission by family to share.

From the moment she arrived at For Heaven's Sake, she landed straight into my heart.

There are certain souls who slip quietly into your life and leave a softness that stays forever.

Miss Carol was one of them.

From the moment she arrived at For Heaven’s Sake, she landed straight into my heart.

This precious itty-biddy cutie once told me, “You’re the only one who ever called me cute!” So I made a point to tell her she was cute several times a day. She brought with her a sweetness, a spark of humor, and a gentle, practical way of talking through her memories — moments I now cherish dearly.

Even in her weakest moments, she carried a tenderness that made everyone around her fall in love with her. She had a way of brightening a room — not loudly, not with fanfare — but with the kind of presence that made you feel peaceful just being near her.

Her world was simple and honest.

She told me, “I just want good food and someone present". She wanted comfort, acknowledgement and a friend.

I knew I could manage that kind of love — with sprinkles.

I loved her smile.

I loved her joy.

I loved how easily she laughed at the simple things.

I loved how she let me dress her in outfits she probably never would have chosen, how much fun we had playing beauty shop and curling her hair, and even playing dental hygienist while she used her electric tooth brush — always with that sweet, cooperative I can do it attitude.

Miss Carol loved her butter Cheerios, and the way she never made a fuss about anything. Her response was always the same:

“Whatever you think is just fine.”

That was her heart — easygoing, gracious, endlessly sweet.

She once said, in her matter-of-fact little way,

“You start in diapers and you finish in diapers.”

There was something so simple, honest, and humble about that — no shame, no fear — just the acceptance of life’s full circle, spoken by a woman who had lived long, loved deeply, and learned so much.

She also told me, “If I had 1% of the talent of Vestal Goodman, I would be filled with pride.”

She loved the Gaither's, and especially that powerful voice of Vestal Goodman.

I told her God kept me humble by giving me fat thighs — and she laughed so hard.

I feel truly honored to have been part of her last chapter.

To love her in those final days was sacred to my own heart, and it leaves an imprint that does not fade.

She was just so stinking adorable, and I am missing her terribly.

Di'Anna Hardel

This reflection is shared with love and gratitude, honoring a life and spirit of a woman who will always be part of this homes journey.