Thanks, Mom

More than anything else, thanks for giving me the assurance that I know where you are and that I will be there one day too. You made it clear that church was important, and a relationship with Jesus was what mattered more than anything else. Thanks for the Pepsodent smile, always finding the bright side, for laughter and for being able to laugh at yourself. Thanks for teaching me how to TP houses of those that I loved, and for laughing when I hemmed all your dresses and made them mini-skirts so you'd be in style. You defined commitment, you never gave up and a promise wasn't something that changed when the situation did. You taught all of us to love animals. You loved Cary like he was your own, and you were always our greatest cheer leader. You always supported and encouraged. Thanks for listening during all the long distance calls to three little ones reciting Bible verses. You taught me that giving was the greatest blessing I would ever know. Mistakes happen, but you pick up and go on, never cry over spilled milk. Other people may have had worms in their cereal this morning, but don't let that cause you to have less than the right response. Thanks for standing up for me when I was in the 5th grade. You sacrificed a lot for me, you were always willing to do whatever it took for my well being. Thanks for all the Easter Bunny letters. Thanks for teaching me the joy that comes from believing in those that the world has no patience for. You always saw the good in people. Thanks for taking me to see the shut-ins on Monday afternoons and taking the flowers from Sunday's service to them...to brighten their day. You taught me they had so much to give, so much love, and wisdom. Thanks for all the peach cobblers, and for sharing the recipe. Thanks for letting me go next door and wash dishes for Mrs. Williams after we got a dishwasher and I was deprived of the pleasure at home! You understood and supported me when I had to leave the country, even though you never left America yourself. You prayed for me. You taught me to love America, and to appreciate all that we have and to recognize the cost for it all was very high. Nothing was ever more important than people, relationships. Because of your choices, I had a wonderful dad, and thanks for letting me help pick out your wedding ring! In the last few months of your life, when I would get up to help you all during the night-thanks for always saying "Thank you." Thanks for all the times that I jumped out of bed seeing your light on and thinking I had not heard you call-only to find you reading from your devotional book. You never complained, just did the best you could with what you had. Thanks for saying "Now, girls!" Thanks for all those final words, last conversations, heart to heart talks in the hospital. Some of your last understandable words were about the candy police and I'll always smile when I think about it. You made us laugh until the very end. Thanks for the last present you left for me. Thanks for hanging on and giving the five of us a reason to be together and bond, for leaving us with each other when you had to go. I'll never get over you. Thanks, Mom.