Happy Birthday in Heaven...

Dear Mom,

Today we mourn the 7th month anniversary of your passing while at the same time we celebrate what would have been your 82nd birthday!  While we are not wrapping presents in pretty colored paper or picking out the perfect card that you would add to your box, we are instead thinking of all the gifts that you gave us. Gifts that included life's lessons, a glimpse of what extraordinary courage is, laughter and humor through the good times and bad, and the understanding of how important family is.  I remember the day you asked me if I thought our family was "one", and if I thought we would remain strong long after you were gone.  It struck me at the time as a rather unusual question, but knowing how important this was to you I now see why you wanted the validation, that yes our family is strong, very united and will remain so forever!  I miss our long conversations, our visits together, your good cooking and so many other things about you.  I will forever be grateful to have had you as my Mom...Love, your daughter Kathy