As I think about what to write here, I am holding back tears. That is something that I am not sure I am ready for yet, the tears. When the time is right, I will go somewhere by myself and let go, but for now, I need to remember the good times, the life that Mom shared with us all, taught us and grew with us. There were many times in our lives that were difficult and complicated, but the time I remember best and that impacted our lives was in the '70s, when we lived in South Dakota, and were involved in a "Jesus Freaks" group there. The people that we shared that time with, Mom, Dad, My brother and sisters and I, touched our lives so deeply, and it was probably the happiest time in mom's life that I can remember. I am so glad that I got to share that life with my mom, and I miss her so much already.
I do want to say thank you so much to Kari and Connie, My sisters. during the time that mom was struggling with cancer, this last month, they were the ones who bore the brunt of caring for mom. They worked so hard to make the last days of mom's life loving and happy as it could be... and I want so much to thank you. I know it meant the world to mom, and you mean the world to me. I love you all... mom, dad, Tom, Kari, Colleen, Connie... some of you still here, some gone but all alive in my heart.