A Tribute...

This is my Mom. I am sure she has no idea I have this picture. It was taken on a little day trip that she, my Dad and I went on to a lake near Capitan, New Mexico back in 1998. It was a nice day, the three of us had a picnic and fed the deer.

My Mom is an artist. She painted this mural on the side of the Smokey Bear Restaurant. I think it may have since been painted over, I haven't been there for years. Since then she has done mumerous murals for people including a desert scene with wild horses for a club house in Mesa, Arizona. I'm sure I have a picture of her with that one somewhere. She also did one in a house that had a Tuscan look to it that unfortunately I haven't had the priviledge of seeing.

Her paintings range from florals to animals. I absolutely love this depiction of a spooked horse. She sold it when she had her small gallery in New Mexico.

She also does landscapes like this one. I always love the way she uses color.

I am positive that I got the talent I have from my mother and it has carried through to her grand daughter. K is an exceptional artist, even at just 6 years old. Mom, if I haven't told you, thank you for the times you spent teaching me how to draw, knit, cross stitch, and paint. Those are some of the best memories I have of you. I hope that someday soon you will gather the courage to pick up your brush again.

Throughout her lifetime my mother has battled numerous health issues. The latest of which was a stroke in 2007 and ovarian cancer in just the last 8 months. She is the strongest most courageous person I know and I can only hope that I inherited a sliver of her strength. She is beautiful inside and out and not even cancer could take away her beauty. She disagrees, but to me her beauty shows even more than ever.

This picture was taken in April of 2004. That is my gorgeous little sister on the left, my cute and elusive big brother up top, me (don't ask me what I was looking at) on the right and my beautiful, beautiful mother right there in the middle. My mom has great kids and I am not just saying that because I am one. She did a fantastic job through the years.

Mama, this Mother's Day, no matter what I write, words cannot express how much I miss you being so far away, respect you and love you. I thank God he gave me you for a Mom. I couldn't ask for a more beautiful, wonderful, being to guide me as I was growing up. I love you.