As I signed on to read blogs today, my sister Molly's writing really struck my heart. I had forgotten the significance of today until I read her message. I hope she won't mind if I copy it here:
Today would have been my Mom's 82nd birthday. As my sister reminds me: "She has been gone a staggering 14 years (I can't believe it has been that long). Before she got sick at the young age of 45, she was athletic, a golfer, a tennis player, a leader in the Girl Scouts. She raised 5 daughters. I use to be amazed at the thought that she used a whole loaf of bread to make our lunches. My mom was one of the strongest, most persistent people I have ever met." I was 15 when my mom was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. She eventually passed away from complications from that disease. I was 37. I watched her struggle at times with her health, but she always seemed to have such a positive outlook that nothing would deter her from living a full life. She spent the last few years of her life in a wheel chair, but could still draw a smile from all those that knew her. Her grand kids loved to 'ride with grandma on her wheel chair'. :-) She didn't like having all the health problems, but that didn't seem to discourage her. She just kept on going.... kind of like the energizer bunny. :-) That was my mom. I hope I am 1/2 the woman she was.

I think each of my sisters would probably say much the same about our mom. She really was an amazing woman. I know her faith in God and assurance of her future kept her going until the end. I remember she faced many challenges in her life with, "Okay, what are we going to do about this? How can we make it better, or at least livable?" I loved the times Bill and I could visit with her. I enjoyed so much making us coffee and sitting with her in her room talking. I would prop my cold feet under the side of her bed to warm up (her house was so cold!), and we would just chat. Even though she's been gone so many years, I still wish I could call her up and talk at times. Happy birthday, Mom. :-)