Today would have been my mother’s 90th birthday. She was an incredible woman with a fun personality, gifted with musical talent, and a wonderful heart. She was a music teacher for many years and her programs drew the best out of her students. She could play the piano, sing, and give the ‘teacher eye’ to any off task student never missing a beat. During one Christmas program where the children had a flashlight and were in the shape of a Christmas tree singing songs, one child decided he wanted to find his parents and turned the flashlight on the audience searching the rows with the beam of light. When the beam came to Mother she gave him the ’teacher eye’ and he quickly had his light back in place. When she was in second grade her teacher announced to the class that they were having a fire drill and the children were to get out of the classroom as quickly as possible. Mother, sitting by the window, went for it and jumped to the ground below. Fortunately she had a first floor class. I’m not sure her teacher appreciated her quick reaction. We share these stories with Sara. Bobby could add a few of his own for he always thought of her as his second mother.

This is a scanned photo from 1983 that I took when Mother was visiting and helping me. She loved her grandchildren and always made time for them. Shortly after this image was taken Mother was diagnosed and lost her battle soon after. I am grateful I inherited her blend of mischief and loving kindness. I see many of her qualities in Sara and am blessed. I am grateful for this wonderful woman.

All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.~ Abraham Lincoln

Peace.