Remembering my best friend… Dearest Mom I've pondered on what to give you for your birthday. I've never been a good gift-giver so this has been a challenge for me...After giving it some thought, I decided probably the best thing I could do would be to give you my thanks and appreciation for helping me find my way in this world. That's something I don't think I've done well enough over the years. So...this has been a long time coming... Taikuu, Quyana, thank you...for being there in my life and looking out for me. You always made me feel special and encouraged me all along the way. I know these are things that parents are supposed to do for their , but I don't think anyone else could have done it any better... Some folks would say we didn't have very much back in those days. I say they're wrong. Thanks to you and Dad, we always had more than plenty. Plenty of safety, security, food, shelter and love. All those things that growing need. Most importantly, I always felt like I had plenty of space to grow and space to rest. It's hard sometimes to grow up in the Village and realize that your mind is always somewhere else. You seemed to appreciate that and overlooked my meandering and wandering, while always welcoming me back whenever I returned from whatever far off worlds I'd discovered or invented. I've never thanked you for doing so many chores and so much hard work that truly I should have gotten up to do on every school morning from about the fourth grade on. I should have been the one bundling up to pack water, do dump runs, or feed the dogs or whatever else needed doing on those cold winter mornings. Looking back, I know now that it never occurred to me that the stuff I did in the evenings also had to be done in the mornings and you were the one doing it. For that, I'm sorrier than I can tell you. I appreciate how you always worked so hard to show your love for us in the most selfless ways. Now that I have several years of experience in the kitchen, I understand what went into those huge breakfasts you'd make from time to time. Breakfast was always good, but to wake up to pans of Carrot Cake or fresh popped popcorn...that was heaven. And a ton of work for you, cooking AND cleaning. I appreciate that now I find that trait has rubbed off on me. (Lynn would say different) I like to cook for those I love. It means a lot to give someone something of yourself. What better way than through feeding them, body and soul. Feed us.....you did. You always made sure I did my schoolwork. You also had no problem helping me get my hands on most anything I wanted. Another marvelous inheritance I have from you is that I can't get through a day without accomplishing something....Thank you for a gift that I could never replace and a gift that I would never be the same without. Thank you for the laundry, the housekeeping, the care when I was sick, the special treats on special occasions or no occasion at all. Thank you for giving me advice when I needed it and spanking when I needed that as well. I don't think I asked for a lot of 'things' when I was growing up. I like to think I was pretty 'low maintenance.' I do remember, however, those times when I would ask for money to go to the gym, or the Lodge, or whatever, you would gladly pull some out. Again, it never occurred to me that in that moment you were probably giving up something you really wanted or needed for yourself just so I could have something I wanted. I see that now. Really, what it all boils down to is that you were and are, the most magnificent mom I could have asked for. Beautiful, smart, devoted, funny, caring and everything else any could want, all wrapped up in a blue parka with a ruff and a smile. You are seldom far from my thoughts and never out of my heart. I wanted to write these words so that you could always have them close at hand, especially when I'm far away and don't call as often as I should. I want you to always know that I love you and cherish you more than life itself. Whenever I cook a meal, smell baking...or just feel the sunshine on my face, I am feeling you and the love you always showed me. I hope and pray you feel the same... Love forever mom Your Rue

Min Idealperson Someone like me…