From the very first time I met Verna (and Fred too) I was welcomed "home".  I don't think there was anyone who ever walked through their door who wasn't included as family.  For Verna, kindness and LOVE, were part of her being.  She opened the door not only to the home but to her heart. 

When I chose to go into ministry, she was one of the first to encourage me.  And over the years she and Fred have been a part of my ministry team, and done so much to help me press on.

One of the things I treasure most of this dear friend is how she showed her love.  Verna you are missed, but I was privileged to be counted as "your other daughter Barbara".  My love goes out to Barbara and Mike and the kids and especially to Fred at this time.  You all have shown me so much love.  Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your family over all these years.

Unlike many sons-in-law, I got along really well with my mother-in-law.  That wasn’t always the case, but the last 15 years or so, I considered her one of my good friends.  I took her passing very hard, and I miss her every day.

Mom was a bit of a jokester, especially in the early days.  And it went both ways- I remember that one time I had called her into a room in our home in Santa Barbara to take a look at some “rattlesnake eggs” I had purchased.  Inside this little pouch, there was a tightly wound rubber band- metal piece contraption that, when you opened the pouch, would make a loud noise that sounded very much like a rattlesnake.  Sure enough- Mom took the bait and opened the pouch.  When the rubber-band/ metal piece did it’s thing, Mom jumped four feet in the air and made a sound the likes of which I had never heard come from her mouth.  For just a moment, a terrible thought washed over me- “I’ve killed my mother-in-law!” But she was fine, and after a few moments to calm down, she found the humor in the situation.

I love you Mom.  Thank for you so many great memories, and thank you for raising such an amazing daughter.  She is an amazing woman due in large part to the fact that she was raised by such an amazing woman.