Ann Louise...

Some called her Ann, and some called her Louise or Lou, me I just called her mom. She was mom to me.

My mom had a difficult childhood. Growing up without a mother, raised in an orphanage in the absence of a mother or a father, she persevered and learned on her own to take care of herself and eventually take care of her family.

This picture is all about what my mother loved most, her family. The Christmas tree you see with all the presents was my mom. She had no happy memories of Christmas or gifts, but she made sure her girls and her family received the gifts and memories that were never hers, but became ours. She made wonderful memories for her girls. She loved us unconditionally.

Now I am just the mom and grandma. A lot of history comes with being a mom or grandma. I will be 65 years old this year and can reflect back on my own life and what I want my children to learn about life and the importance of family. Nothing can replace family.

It is hard to believe that my mom has been gone for 10 years, I still occasionally walk to the phone to check in. There is no phone line between us anymore, just a heart full or memories and sweet days.

The first songs you hear while reading this are dedicated to my mom, who loved to dance with my dad. They saw and danced to all the great bands. They danced still on their 50th wedding anniversary. Older yes, but they still had the moves. It seemed to me when they danced together was when they loved each other the most. They argued, they had problems as we all do, but when they danced that all faded away. I hope you are dancing in heaven.

Happy Mother's Day mom...We miss you still...And keep dancing. Your girls, Gerri, Debbie, and Christina.