A few months ago,my mother awakened from a deep snooze and commented in a sleepy state "Nobody remembers you after a couple of months". It seemed like an odd comment that came out of nowhere. Of course, I disputed it. But I failed to respond in the first person. I should have said "I will miss YOU and remember YOU every day of my life." But let's face it, the topic of death, whether implied or direct is always a difficult one. I will remember so many things about my mother. I will remember going to the beach practically every sunny day as a kid...running to the shore with my sandpail to get water to pour over her feet to keep her cool as she sat in her sandchair chatting with friends. I will remember her brushing my hair, putting it in braids or pony tails.I will remember her baking and always letting us lick the bowls. I will remember looking for antique bottles, fiddler crabs, and skipping rocks at the Palmer River. I will remember Mom hanging clothes and yelling for us out the window to come home (a la Anthony in the Prince spaghetti commercial).I will remember going to church every Sunday with my brothers and Dad and Mom staying home to make the sauce (and as Paul said, it was simply THE BEST!) It wasn't until much later that she told me she had breast cancer and her faith at the time was shaken. I will remember how she told me many times when I was a teen to "Shape up!" Thanks, Mom for being a parent even when I didn't want to listen. I will remember her love and devotion to Mama and Pop and theirs to her in return. I will remember she always made holidays special.I will remember her calling me nightly after my first pregnancy ended in a second trimester loss. Only my Mom knew the depth of my grief. It wasn't until the birth of Kathryn did I truly know the immense love a mother has for a child.I will remember Mom always for wanting to be on the go and saying that "Too much sitting is no good". I will remember Mom practically dancing after hip surgery and doing cryptograms accurately the day after brain surgery. I will remember Mom always facing her illness with such bravery and courage. I never heard her ask "Why me?"....even when the diagnosis happened on her 85th birthday. I will remember how she liked chocolates, cashews, dates, sour patch kids, sweet potatoes, eggplant, pizza, sam's club chickens, Kevin James, American Pickers, Pawn Stars, the Trivago guy, Jeopardy, and Wheel of Fortune. I will remember her keen eye for designer finds at thrift stores. I will remember her beautiful green eyes. I will remember the smile on my Mom's face as soon as I barged through the door every Saturday with my arms filled with bags and Mom giving me heck for "bringing too much." I will remember her hugging me every Saturday night this past year in tears and telling me that "nobody else will love you like I do." I believe it Mom. I could go on and on...My heart is breaking now and I just can't imagine my life without my Mom. I will remember and miss her every day of my life. She was the best. You will always be in my heart, Mom! Love, Karen