-When I was little and my tummy hurt, no one but my Mom could make it feel better.. 

-When I wanted to stay home sick from school, my Mom would let me, but I had to stay in my room. I told her she was the meanest Mom in the whole wide world, but I didn’t miss much school.

-I can’t remember my Mom ever spanking me, or even yelling much.. All that was needed was her ‘you had best knock it off’ Mom look, and if I heard my first name followed by my middle name called in a certain cadence I knew I had best shape up or else.

-My friends were also afraid of my Mom. 

-When I was getting bad grades in school, all my Mom had to say was I’m done arguing with you and making you do your work, I won’t always be there to make you do what you’re supposed to, I know you’re smart and you can do it, so do it.. The next quarter and many to follow, I had straight A’s and made the honor roll. 

-Come to think of it, my Mom believed in me more than I do myself, she never had any doubts I could do whatever I set my mind to do.. I’ll miss that.. 

-My Mom was always there for us when we needed her, and even when we didn’t.  And I hope she felt like we were always there for her too. 

-I remember My Mom always worried over us..
-Even as a grown man, (I say I’m a grown man, she called me her baby, being the youngest, I hated that) but even as a grown man, she always insisted that I call or text her when I got to where I was going, and I’ve travelled a lot. I always sighed and just said  ‘OK Mom, I’ll be fine..’ 

But now, on my next trip it’s going to really hurt when I can’t call her and say ‘I’m here Mom, you can stop worrying..’

-I was thinking last night that she’s the one going on a journey this time, and if I had one wish it would be that she could call or text when she gets there and say, ‘I’m here guys, everything is wonderful, you can’t even imagine! You can stop worrying  about me,  I’m doing great!  I’ll see you all when you get here!’

-When one of her grandchildren, whose really into baseball and statistics, heard the news he said, ‘Wait! She can’t be gone!, she’s tied in first for best Grandma!’ 

Being tied in first for best Grandma isn’t too shabby, but I know there’s at least 3 people who have no arguments she has secured the highly coveted ‘Best Mom in the whole wide world’ award.. And I know that would make her smile. 

I love you Mom and will carry things you taught me and you in my heart the rest of my life.