I remember spending every vacation at Mama's house in Pennsylvania.  While we played, you spent the entire week scrubbing her house, styling her hair, and pampering her and Papa.  You came home exhausted but happy...I always admired you for such devotion!!

Here we are in 1947?  I was lucky enough to be the "only child" for almost 3 years.  I must have been so spoiled..because I watch how you are with Trevor now, giving him your undivided attention and love.

This photo was taken on my Confirmation Day.  You made sure that all our spiritual needs were met.  Church every Sunday and Catechism each week.  You and Dad were pinnacles of morality, practicing what you preached and setting the perfect examples as parents and citizens.

Apparently this was your first attempt at sewing...A pinafore from a flour sack  Thanks Mom..I know times were tough but Holy Cow.........

This was the year of my eye operation.  I was 7 and the first thing I saw when the doctor removed my bandages was you crying with happiness.  My eye still wasn't straight but it was much improved from it's previous condition.  Lovely haircut you gave Connie and what's that thing on Bill's head which I later detected on Ed and Ron??

This photo brings back bittersweet memories.  I was soooo thin. (Wish that was the case today) You and Dad spent endless hours, maybe days, taking me shopping as a teenager to find something that fit so as to boost my self esteem. This was the dress I wore in 8th grade to my first dance.  Remember the time we went bathing suit shopping all the way to Penna..??

No photo here.  Just an acknowledgement of the love and support I felt when you & Dad sat in the car outside the house of a party I went to when I was suffering teenage anxiety attacks. You always believed in me, hid your concerns, and made me feel that I could do anything I set my mind to..yet I knew I could count on you if I needed help.  What more could anyone ask for during their formative years

Here you are with your friend Pizza doing a crossword puzzle...That and cryptograms are your favorite form of entertainment.  It's amazing how quickly you do them and as for Scrabble...no one wants to take you on because of your vast vocabulary..so intelligence is added to your long list of attributes..

No caption for this photo..it just makes me smile.  Dad wanted to find a way to honor you and came up with a surprise coronation for his Queen of Hearts on Christmas Day 1999. Although he was ill, he spent weeks planning it and his love for you was worn on his sleeve that day.

You and Dad worked very hard in your respective roles as parents and spouses....Bringing up 5 children was not an easy task physically, mentally, financially, or emotionally.  Somehow you managed to keep a sense of humor and when you finally had a chance to relax..your playful spirit emerged.  It always gave me so much joy to see you and Dad enjoying yourselves.

Here you are at my house on the night of the World Series in San Francisco when the earthquake happened.  You had your "Sex Cap" on and joked that it made the Earth move.  You delight in the simple things in life and want nothing more than the happiness of your children and grandchildren. You couldn't relax that evening until you knew that Connie and her family were safe and sound.

This subject brings tears to my eyes.  You're limitless devotion and care for Dad was an inspiration to all of us.  In the early days, we all thought you were spoiling him, but in retrospect, you were the only one who knew how much pain he experienced on a daily basis.  I don't think Dad ever rose to get his own coffee.  You made sure that his every need was satisfied...fluffing pillows, making his favorite snacks and holding his hand to the very end.  Nick calls you "Saint Mom" with very good reason!

This was the crazy hat party we had on your 75th Birthday Party.  Bill & Con flew in and hid in a big box to surprise you. You won the contest with your creative Jackie Kennedy "Pill Box Hat" fashioned with a bleach bottle, an onion net bag and a bunch of Tylenols

Manager of the secretarial pool at Crucible Steel during the war, gave you the experience and confidence you needed to go back into the work force after all your children were "on their own". No matter what did, you gave 100% becoming invaluable to your employers and, as always, setting a good example to us regarding work ethics.

This photo was taken in December of 1967..probably the last picture of our family before we started expanding.  You were 45..11 years younger than I am now.

If I never said it before, Thanks Mom for the beautiful wedding that you gave Nick and I.  I know times were tough back then with Dad holding 2 jobs and you having 3 children still at home including an 18 month old toddler.  On that day I felt prepared to be a good wife and mother because of all that you taught me through word and deed.

This was Mother's Day, l969.  Your family really started to expand with the addition of 2 sons-in-law, and one grandchild with one on the way.  Everyone of them, and those to follow, became your child and you cared for and loved them as your own.

Thanks for giving me my beautiful brothers and sisters.  Your influence has benefited us in numerous ways, not the least of which was in  choosing our spouses.  We all have very successful marriages and genuinely love and enjoy each other.  You're a huge part of our lives and we'll always be there for you.

The last time Dad smiled was the day before he died when Sheri brought Trevor to the hospital for  a visit.  I know how much you love him..I see it when you get down on the floor, even though  your back hurts, to play dinosaurs with him.  The look on your face when he sings or cuddles up with you to hear a story, makes my heart melt.  Thank you for loving him the way Nick and I do Mom.  I know you wish Amanda and Timmy lived closer because you love them the same way.

Just look what you have done.........You're truly the greatest Mother of them all!  Every one of us has our own special connection with you.  As for me, I'M EVERYTHING I AM BECAUSE YOU LOVED ME.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MOM

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