Happy Mother's Day Mom!

I miss you today! I loved watching you with your family. Your evident love for them taught me the type of relationships I wanted with my own family. And it wasn't just your "real" family you loved and cared for. You took so many under your wings. Some I knew about, some I didn't learn about till later, I'm sure there were many others.


I miss your insatiable desire to know everything and experience as much of life as you could. It was always fun to be around you and see your intense interest in this world and everyone in it. We teased you that you read every sign and placard you passed and couldn't sit next to someone on the plane without making a new best friend. And you always had something interesting to share that you learned in the "Spirit" magazine. But as much as we chuckled about that, I loved it. I admired it. I wanted to copy you and I miss it. You were always willing, whatever excursion we had planned. Hiking, biking, rock-climbing, museums, parks,... usually we pooped out way before you did. I think these pictures explain it all. You were a fun mom to grow up with. I remember piling in to the car driving to whatever point of interest had caught your fancy... Four corners, Valley of Fire, lots of trips to Mexico. I didn't realize at the time that not everyone's family went to these things and I am sure I didn't appreciate it then as much as I do now. You were always one to enjoy the journey... I find this to be one of the hardest examples you set, to follow. I always want to make a plan and stick to it. You were willing to take an off-ramp that looked interesting just because it was there....metaphorically and realistically. I loved it as a kid... I find a hard time doing it in my own life, but I long for it. Thank you for being that example to me of the Mom I want to be. I love you Mom! I miss you!