Remembering Mom

Today marks the seventh anniversary of the day that changed my life forever. On this date in Tucson Arizona, my Mom Joanna Wunrow left her home on earth and entered her new life in Heaven. She left behind my Dad, me and my five brothers and sisters, 16 grand children and countless friends, neighbors and co-workers. She left a fingerprint of love on everyone she encountered. To Mom, no request was to big, no need was too small. She would always do everything in her power to help the people around her.

Mom, there are so many milestones that have passed these last seven years. Thinks I have longed to have been able to share with you. I want to share a few of them with you now.

Your first grandson Nik is such a kind and gentle spirit. There is so much of you in him. Nik overcame the challenges of Autism and graduated from High School! Mom, you should have seen him at the ceremony in his cap and gown. A permanent smile on his face and tears of pure joy streaming down his cheeks. I just know you would have hugged him with all your strength, matching his tears sob for sob until all the your joy had filled him to overflowing. Your pride of his accomplishment would have filled the entire room.

Your third grandson Alex is a confident young man. Alex took our move to Minnesota from California the hardest. His High School years were filled with frustration and doubt. But through it all he never gave up. In him I can see your ability not let your past define your future. It is with this gift that he has overcome so many obstacles. Mom, our little boy is now a freshman at the University of Nebraska. A major university that he earned is way into by sheer strength of will and character. He is studying to be a journalist with dreams of using his God given gifts to make a difference in the lives of others. I know that you would be so incredibly proud of Alex and his accomplishments.

Your first granddaughter Catie a beautiful, passionate creative young woman. Remember her as your little ballerina? All those sweet little dance recitals you saw. Well, our little girl is now a beautiful Ballroom dancer, studying dance at a performing arts High School. She is a graceful and poised and confident performer. I just know that if you could see her today you would feel pride and joy and happiness. All of these things come out in her dancing. All of these things you poured into her over and over again in her young life with grandma.

Mom, not a day goes buy without me thinking of you. For many years I missed you terribly. All I could think of was all the experiences that we were no longer able to share. But now, I need only to look at the lives of my children to see that you are still here. You are a part of the best that is in each of them. When I hug them, I hug them the way you would hug them, Holding on tight for as long as they’ll let me. I fill them up with love and in tern their love flows back and fills me too. Thank you for teaching me to love. God Bless you Mom. I Love You.