To the daughter of Leona and William DeGain, born September 30, 1950. You were a Daughter first, a Sister second, a Wife third and a Mama fourth.

Once the initial shock of the cancer diagnosis wore off, you began this journey in strength despite your fear, with tenacity and fervor for a cure. Meanwhile we played games, worked on your family scrapbook, we read Dear Abby columns out loud, laughed over inside jokes and continued to have our mother-daughter days together, just like always. This is your legacy, that I will carry in my back pocket.

Your favorite things were music, your grandchildren, and four legged furbabies. Travel, new places and the excitement of “what's next?”. The ocean, because I think it helped you feel freedom from life's daily burdens. Meeting Bill Heard of the Righteous Brothers. A hot cup of coffee on a cool morning. Meeting Tom Hamilton and him giving you a kiss on the forehead. Cedar Point and the Iron Dragon – or as you called it, the Iron Maiden. Standing at the bar inside the Townsend Hotel and ordering a drink while standing next to Joey Kramer. Disneyland. Shooting stars. Looking for deer at Kensington Park. 

I loved watching you giggle yourself silly after two glasses of wine, following your birthday dinner at Cagney's Steakhouse during our cruise. Your love of funny 50's style diner songs, and basically anything with the words “Doo Wop” in it. Your happy eyes this Christmas while watching your grandchildren open their presents. Misheard lyrics. Your pronunciation of “Chipotle” the first time you saw the word in print. Hearing the excitement in your voice as we watched dolphins criss-cross in the water below our ship-board balcony. The way you fiercely loved my friends just as much as you loved your own children.. because it takes a village. 

In spite of our great loss I have peace, in knowing that we did everything in our power to fight for you, to find the answers to the questions that even doctors avoided. You join us closely and intensely in spirit. In the physical release from your earthly body I can breathe again, as even though I can no longer feel the warmth of your hand in mine, I have clarity in knowing that you are no longer bound by pain.

You taught me to love, to be strong, to never let the world get me down or squash my hearts deepest desires – even if you couldn't tag along. I hope you can see and feel from where you are, how very deeply you are loved. I will carry you in my heart every single day. Thank you for being the best Mama in the world, we love you.