Five Years

In memory of my mom, a few thoughts and memories.

Barry Manilow, her laugh, talking on the phone, 'Call me Sue!', the organizer, great visiting teacher, hugs, 'That's FABULOUS!', orange juice with crushed ice, amazing chef, best grandmother, crossing guard (can't see one without thinking of her), thick salt and pepper hair, greatest drama mama, attending rainy soccer games, booster club, putting herself last, Randy Travis, getting the mail, checking the email, purple, Anita Stansfield novels, telling Carson to never stop kissing me, platinum lipstick, watching nick at night block party, everyone was a friend, 'keep a smile on your face and a prayer in your heart', lots of time on the computer , amazing example of the sacrifice of a mother.

There are so many wonderful memories that I have of her. When Carson and I got home from our honeymoon, she had a box of food ready for us that she had my dad pack up out of their pantry. It may sound gross, but I still have a box of pasta roni that I can't bring myself to get rid of. When we were leaving our wedding luncheon, she made sure to lean over to me and say 'don't do anything I wouldn't do!' When I came home from school and she was in the hospital, I went to visit her and she was putting on her makeup. She wanted to make sure that she looked her best for me. She didn't need to, but it was important to her and I can definitely understand and respect that. I'm sad that she hasn't met any of my kids in this life. I wish so bad that I could tell her about Mr. Will walking and that I could have called on her at 3 am to watch my other two kids when I went into labor. I wish that she could be there watching but most likely helping with one of my dance concerts. I am a better mother and wife because of her example and I am a much stronger person. I can't wait to see her again and I know that I will!