Dear Mama

Dear Mama,

How I would love to see your smiling face, hear you giggle once more, share so many of the things that have transpired since March 2, 1987.

Your grandchildren are all grown except the one you never got to see. You would be so proud of all of them.

Les is working as a security guard for the National Guard Armory and earned medals and certificates of excellence while he served in Iraq. I know you'd cry if you could see him in his uniform.

Tommy went to college majoring in Hotel/Restaurant Management and has the respect of even his General Manager as Account Manager at the Hilton. He answers the phone as Thomas in such a professional manner and he is so handsome and debonair in his suit complete with tie every day.

Amy finished college and worked as a nurse in a nursing home for a while. She returned to college and received her degree in Elementary Education and is making a positive difference in the lives of children every day.

Becky is a furniture manager at Big Lots and is only months away from being a Registered Nurse. She is buying her own home in Florida. You would love visiting her. You always liked Florida. She is also going to college full-time making very good grades. Daddy says she is the most beautiful grown woman he has ever met. Mama you'd be so proud of her. Her heart is as beautiful as she is.

Andy is married to a wonderful young lady who has also just finished nursing school. You have a great-granddaughter!! Zoey Laine is such a delight to all of us. No we don't spoil her!! We simply lavish the love and attention you cannot on her. Oh, and did I tell you how smart she is? No, really, I'm not prejudiced.

Ashley is such a beautiful woman too. All of your grandchildren are very easy to look at. She has gotten her Nursing degree and is working in intensive care at a hospital in Jackson.

Caroline, sweet Caroline. Yes, she is named after you. No, you never got to see her, but never fear we have not allowed her to grow without knowing all about you. She is still in high school but will be just as wonderful as all your other grandchildren when she graduates.

Mama, I am so glad you are not here to have to see Daddy struggle every day in the Veteran's Home. He is so miserable not being able to do anything for himself. He still knows everything and everyone which was a blessing as long as he could do a little for himself. He has a muscle disease that has attacked his body not allowing him to even be able to feed himself most days. He spends most of his days crying. In his words, "It's all I can do anymore." He cries many times begging just to be able to see you even for a little while. He has missed you so very much over the years.

Vicky and Floyd have had a strong loving marriage throughout the years as have Margaret and Robert. Robert has turned out to be such a good daddy to their girls and has supported Margaret's Nursing career.

And me, well Mama, it has been a really rough life at times. I have started over three times. You'd think I'd get it right after a while. I am happy with who I am now though. That at least is an improvement. All my life I've always thought I absolutely had to have someone elses approval of the way I am. You, Daddy, my sisters, husband...when none of you could change who I am inside anyway. I am happy with who I am now and proud of myself for overcoming some pretty awesome difficulties to reach this point.

Mama, I have begun to write again. I stopped for so many years. My heart was so broken I couldn't even write about it. I have gotten past that now and don't need anyones approval of the things I choose to do in life, even though it still pleases me when someone does approve.

I don't feel like a failure anymore. Isn't that a miracle!! I just wanted you to know.

I love you,

Sandy 722 words