MISSING YOU TODAY MOM.

Dear Mom, gone 2 years+

My faithful correspondent over the years, teacher of cooking, lover of cats, literate jokester, player of puns, mistress of doggerel poetry, music lover, who taught me to not only read but love what I read, I miss you on this day most of all.  You taught me that anything worth doing was worth overdoing.  Every word I play with comes from your guidance.

In my younger years, you allowed my to try things I couldn't do well until I COULD do them well.  My fondest memories are when I said "Mark Do", and you let me DO.  I would not be the person I am if you hadn't allowed "Mark Do", as frustrating as it must have been at the time.

In later years, when I slowly became an adult you were my Dear Friend and I somehow became a co-equal in your eyes.

I am not quite what you thought I would be, but more than you may have imagined.  I know what you desired of me and I am not that, but I have lived a full life in my own way.  You sent me out into the world to see what I would do and I did "my thing".  I wish you could see me now.  I think you would approve.

I have always remembered that you wanted a "Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John" but you liked the name "Mark" best and gave me that name as the eldest child.   I have carried the name proudly but without the religious meaning.  You accepted that from my early teenage years to the last day I spoke to you and you were proud of me to the end of your days.

Thank you.

Love,

Mark