My dad. He taught me things that I still value greatly today. There aren’t enough words to describe my love for him.
My MIL who was more of a mom than my own mom ever was. I will always be grateful to her for raising the incredible man that I married. She did a great job. (Thanks Mom!) Yes, I called her mom.
My grandparents for always showing me love and support.
My elderly neighbor who was so cheerful and was a joy to be around. She treated all of the neighborhood children like they were her grandchildren.
She treated all of her adult neighbors like we were her children. She baked cookies for us. She came to everyone’s neighborhood gatherings and went out to lunch with a few of us. We adored her!
She only had one child, a daughter who left New Orleans to sing opera in New York. Her daughter loved New York and remained there.
She never complained about her daughter being away. She never made her daughter feel guilty about living her dream.
She was so proud of her daughter. Her daughter visited once a year and was just as sweet as her mom.
My neighbor loved life and her joy was infectious. She had been a widow for many years. We all adopted her as part of our families.
Her daughter said to us that she had always been a dear mother to her. She kept her sweet personality throughout her life.
My mother's mom. While not the traditional grandma--she was a hoot and we absolutely loved every moment spent with her. She was always up to do ANYTHING.....
A friend's sweet mom who kind of just took me into the bunch and loved me.
As an adult, I have been blessed with a fabulous neighbor who is an absolute saint to me.
A few (very few) dear friends. My older sister. My BFF from high school, who is a guy, so after I got married, it was weird, but he saved my bacon a lot and loved me more than I knew.
My #2 daughter who is always there with amazingly good advice. She guides me when I am uncertain about where to go.
In my opinion, it's the people who give and love without condition that make the most difference in your life. I hope I have been that kind of mom and grandma.
Also my son's grandmother on his dad's side, Nan. We are still close and I love spending time with her. She is kind and giving, and a joy to be around. Still doing well in her own home at 86.
his wife would drink longnecked fallstaffs , smoke her pall malls and effortlessly be preparing an absolute feast for 50 or so extended family members who would arrive throughout the day .
i was raised to believe anyone outside of a church were miserable hellbound wretches . i was lied to . if im anything like that old man ( and woman ) now that im the ' old man ' ive a lot to thank them for .