Although mom’s life was tough I have a lot of great memories and she taught me a lot about life like how therapeutic shopping can be and how sometimes telling your husband they are right is easier then arguing about something that really doesn’t matter.

We shopped a lot.  I remember shopping with mom even in her sick days, we laughed so hard as she attempted to use the motorized scooters. (You would have thought she had never driven before) running into things, going backwards when she was trying to go forward.  Our laughs were infectious; once she started I couldn’t control myself.  I’m sure others thought we were crazy.  The best part about shopping for me was mom couldn’t tell me NO.  As I got older I learned not to take advantage of this (sorry dad that it took me so long)

One of the most important things mom taught me was the importance of family and true friendship.  We always had family dinners, we went on numerous vacations, but most of all we respected each other.

She truly put Dusty and I first and me first usually, but anyway….

She was present for the birth of both my children, in fact because my husband is such a woosie, I mean has a weak stomach, she was the one to cut the umbilical cords.  She was Landon’s main care giver until he went to school.  She always did as much as she could and never complained, even through all the illness.

My mother is a true test of strength, she endured so much over the years and I know that her true strength came from the true love and connection that she and my dad have.  As we talked over the last few days with friends and family it always came back to the pure love and dedication between my parents.  That is the true gift that they have given me and all of you.  She defied the odds to hold on to that love, she fought for that love.  As I thought about this day and all the things I wanted to say it has been difficult to separate memories of just mom and as I realized this is because they completed each other, as dad said “they were always together, just them” Dad is the up-front thoughtful person that so many people lean on, but mom is the pedestal that holds him up.  That cannot be taken away with her passing because that is the legacy that she has created. 

Every difficult step that my mom and dad, my brother and I have taken has been made together.  I cannot say enough about how proud I am to call her mom and all the trust and support she gave me.  The lessons have been huge and she lived with dignity and respect and will be remembered that way as well.

I will never forget you mom, the strong stable foundation you have provided for us will live on forever.  You have taken so much to protect your family.  It is time to be free.  I am thankful you are no longer suffering, you are breathing free, riding your T-bird with the top down holding your dads hand and watching over us.  I promise we will be ok!

Lastly as Kyle said “I just want to say Thank you for my beautiful family” :I love you”!

The lord saw you getting tired

And a cure was not to be,

So he put his arms around you

And whispered, “Come with me.”

 

With tearful eyes, we watched you suffer

And saw you fade away,

Although we loved you dearly,

We could not make you stay.

 

A golden heart stopped beating,

A beautiful smile at rest,

God broke or hearts to prove

He only takes the best

 

It’s lonesome here without you

We miss you so each day.

Our lives aren’t the same

Since you went away.

 

When days are sad and lonely,

And everything goes wrong,

We seem to her you whisper,

“Cheer up and carry on.”

 

Each time we see your picture,

You seem to smile and say,

“Don’t cry, I’m in Gods keeping,

We’ll meet again someday.”