I Love you Mom

January is a rough month for me. Losing mom 2 years ago today is still so raw on my heart. She was my best friend, my mentor, kindred spirit and now my angel. She will forever be here close in all I do, say and am. Her name is Mercedes, and we have as yet to figure out why but it fit so perfectly. The unusual name for a "maverick lady". She had a winning smile, the funniest giggle and a stubborn streak.

Her faith was her foundation, her family her strength and pride. In those 2 things, she would not bend in her belief in them both. Even tho, some of us tried our best to test her. We sure were a handful and the stories are many. She devoted much of her life helping others through church, bible study clubs, and extended family and friends needs. Her life was hard and money so tight but with 8 kids they managed to keep it all together. Her health was always a concern for her from her 60's on, but she managed to test the odd's until she was 82. She survived 3 triple bypasses, carotid surgeries, diabetes, high blood pressure, amputation, kidney failure and numerous other surgeries throughout. She fell and broke her hip and passed away 6 weeks later. Her outlook on it all was with dignity and never a complaint. Mom was always dressed with her makeup and jewelry on as if she was going somewhere. Many times she told me it was in case someone came to take her somewhere and she would be ready. She often asked why she ended up with so many health problems. I would tell her that a lesser person would crumble and she was the inspiration to us all that you can have many obstacles and can overcome them even if it wasn't perfect.

I guess the lesson I've learned from her is to live fully, love completely, laugh often and do the things NOW in life that make you happy. You make each day what it is and you have the power to make someone else's day just as good whether it's a smile, a touch, kind word or helping hand. I just hope I can instill those same value's into my own family.

I think I have, they're pretty awesome and they are after all, a part of MOM.