Goodbye mama...(my tribute to her)

My mom was not just my mom, but a friend as well. She listened as I struggled with different things in my life, always being my support. And then, when I met my beau, she opened her arms and heart to him and his family. She certainly had her down periods, but she always sprang back from each with great optimism and a willing soul.
I remember when my dad died, she said “I have two choices. Either I die inside, or I go on living my life, keeping your father’s memory with me.” And live it she did! Years later, with her new love, John, she drove the many roads of Southern California in their big Cadillac (she could barely see over the steering wheel!). They frequently ended up on back roads and even fire roads, where the only other vehicles were 4-wheel drive!!!!! She also flew to Holland with her granddaughter and climbed the steep stairs in the Ann Frank House at age 79..when others much younger refused to climb.
My mom was never larger than life to me, but walked beside me. I will miss our daily chats, I will miss her “I love you, too, darling” response to my “I love you, mom”. But, I believe she continues to live on within each and every one of us who were lucky enough to have known her. I feel she has not gone, but just moved from in front of our eyes, into our hearts, where she will live on forever.
I will close with the prayer she said every night, taught by her dad:
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
If I should die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take,
And please, keep everyone safe, so they can smile.

Hugs to my cyber sisters! Kathi