10 days

You are the first thing I think of when I wake and the last thing before I fall asleep. I cry when the reality of you being gone sinks in again. It breaks my heart that the strongest woman in my life, my family, is no longer here for advice, for laughter or that chat on the phone.

I know in my heart I did all I could for you and with you while you were here. We enjoyed vacations together, especially in New Orleans where you picked up a voodoo doll and kept me laughing with your intentions, or standing on the stage at the Grand Ole Opry while everyone, including us was asking you to move across the stage so the next tour group could enter...

You were such an example of patience to everyone who met you and a lover of life no matter the circumstances. You lived your life with no expectations of anything or anyone,  always accepting of the good or bad that came along. 

You laughed when most of us would have cried, even after falling into the Clarion river in Cook Forest. While we all stood silently on the shore, you broke into laughter, and then we all joined in.

So while I grieve the loss of you I also will continue to celebrate you and all the living and laughter you shared with so many.