A few of my memories:

Every summer we took a vacation as a family... even if it was a long weekend down in wildwood... my mother made sure that we did things as a family... not only us but my aunt Virginia, and aunt Kathy's families came with us some times. One in particular which was funny was the summer we went to the Yankee Clipper in Wildwood... the hotel was disgusting... but we made the best of it...

My mother and I butted heads on a lot of issues... so needless to say we had a lot of fights and/or arguments... that in the long run brought us closer; she was a great arguer.

My mother was always there to talk to about anything... and we have had some real deep conversations... she has given me advice that I will always use.

My mother taught me things (morals, ideals, responsibilities, rules, discipline) as a child that I still use in my daily life. I am the person I am today because of the caring and love I received from not only my mom but my dad too.

My mom made sure the when we went out of the house (as children) we were dressed properly... nice clothes, shoes etc...

My mother herself was always dressed to the nines, with her hair and make-up done. She did not like being out with out looking proper.

My mother was so proud of me when I graduated high school, and I will never for as long as I live forget the day I graduated college... the air horn and my brother fighting with some random women in the stands... my mother was so embarrassed... and the rest of the family thought it was the funnies things ever... I still laugh when I think of that day...

My mother was also hurt more than disappointed when my life was headed in the wrong direction... in the long run I turned it around... I made her proud of her son... and showed her that she did a goddamn good job of raising me to be a responsible adult, I am most thankful that she had the opportunity to see that... and that I made it through the rough waters.

I remember taking her to buy flowers and plants for the gardens my brother, father, and I made for her... the memorial garden we have in the yard of my fathers house... is probably the best tribute we have given to her to date. We still fill the flowerpots with the plants she chose every year... so that a part of her is still around the house...

She loved to have parties at our house... something that we continue still... she loved to entertain... prepare great food... and listen to good music. We shared some really wonderful memories at that house... and continue to create new ones...

Even though she isn't physically there her spirit is all through out the house... the decorations, paint colors, carpets, they all are her ideas, my fathers blood sweat and tears went into making the house what it is... but mainly it was her ideas...

I will never forget the last week of her life... it was the hardest thing I have ever had to experience... we could talk to her but she couldn't talk to us... we just held her hands... and kissed her and told her we loved her... the day she passed away our entire family was in the room with her... my brother, sister, grandmother, and my self were holding her hands as she drew her final breaths. It was more beautiful than sad... not many people get to be there when their loved ones pass on...