For my mom--

I miss you.

I miss hearing your voice on the phone.

I miss seeing you in your beautiful clothes with your hair and make-up carefully done.

I miss how you really cared that Alissa got 4 goals in a soccer game and that Katie had a kool-aid stand.

I miss how you kept track of everyone in our family and made sure we got together and knew what was going on in each other's lives.

I love you.

I love how you would tell me how pretty I looked on Sunday.

I love that you truly wanted to be at all of my kids' activities.

I love that you loved me exactly for who I was.

I love that family was the most important thing to you and that we knew it by your actions.

I remember.

I remember your ring that you wanted me to have. I wear it around my neck.

I remember that you were worried that we wouldn't remember you. We do.

I remember the feel of your warm hand firmly gripping mine. I wish you still could.

I remember your last words to me, "I love you, too." Love you, Mama.

I remember that you said you would always be watching over us. I'm so glad.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom.