I’m reading the daily devotional you gave to me; it’s very helpful for daily living. And mother, daily living is harder than you said it was. You made life seem so easy. You made life grand. You showed me the world in your eyes. From your heart, a thousand smiles bloomed, and you made time for anyone and everyone whoever called upon you for encouragement or laughter. Someone once told me that you even helped write sermons for local pasters. That is so you. I am so proud to be your daughter. You were so proud to be your mother’s daughter too, I know.

Is it true that you pointed out to your friends the handsome man you would marry one day, and did? I do wonder if there is as much romance in the world now as there once was when women wore the bright red lipstick and dressed much more formally than they do now. By the way, I still like to play Barbie dolls with my granddaughter. You knew I would. Barbie’s wardrobe has certainly changed over the years. Hey, did I truly thank you for all the Barbie dolls and the Barbie clothes or accessories you got for me while I was growing up? If I did not do so, I am officially doing so now.

Mother, the seasons seem to go by so quickly now-a-days then they once did. You said as I got older it would seem so, and so it is. Time does go much quicker when we get older as you said. You said so much while I was growing up that I either do not remember or wish I did. But what I do recall is worth a million bucks to me and so I want you to know that. Know also that every book of poetry you ever gave to me is absolutely relished. You intoned such idioms as “Rise above it…” or when I had relationship issues with siblings or friends you firmly asked me “Is it you or them?” I still use that advice in my best self-talk or when taking notes to self. You are so right.

Thank you so very much for your support of me writing. Whether it was a report for school or a 4-H public speaking contest you were so adamant that I do research on everything I wrote about. You endeared me about having some passion in whatever I endeavored to do in life, and so I do. And I research almost everything I think I need to know about. You bought me diary after diary. People who really know me bring me journals to fill just as you once did. Abundant joy! And I am so thankful.

You made me appreciate people and life. You taught us to love others through the example you had on display daily. Some of my sweetest thoughts of you are related to times you spent visiting shut ins or older persons in nursing homes. What a wonderful time a child can have exploring hospital or nursing home corridors- but not too far from mom. Mother, thanks for your kind patience. You knew we did that because we were children who were driven to explore and likewise be taught to stay put! Thank you for forgiving me always desiring to explore those nursing homes I now find myself in a lot as a nurse-person. What pleasantry to recall those times as a younger child running freely in a place that needs a little laughter and exploration still. I was such a rascal finding as many candy dishes as I did then. I hope I gave away as many hugs as compared to those sweet souls who freely gave away so much candy to children who explored the halls. And to think how I still find myself in those halls all these decades later. It is as if you knew I would love older people and their families, too. and I do!

The devotional you gave me is about helping others in today’s message. We never know when we offer a helping hand or call someone for no reason what it’s effects may have on that person. One thing is for sure; in doing so we have stirred up angels watching. Who knows, we can even change the world by love. That is what you taught me. How can I ever thank you. Oh, how I could just hug you and tell you a thousand times how much I love you so. But you had to go. Some say cancer took you, but I know better. I know those angels were calling you home. Time stands between us now. But how to say goodbye to someone bigger than life is a never-ending thought. Meanwhile, I am learning there is only one way to say goodbye. It’s what you taught me. You don’t actually say the word goodbye. You taught me that life goes on, and so it does, and so do you- in my heart.