It's so hard to remember 7 years ago tonight--yet so hard to forget. My dying Mother lying in a fetal position in her hospital bed where she had been for nearly 2 weeks. Dying. Sometimes, I felt that I was dying, too. I definitely knew that a part of me would never be the same. My heart was breaking for my Mom & the healthy long life of a loving Mother, Grandma, & Great-Grandma that had been cut short by Parkinson's Disease. My heart was breaking for my Dad. He was losing the love of his life, his companion for over 50 years, the mother of his children. This awesome man has been through so much in his life. As a child, he had Polio--he amazingly recovered! He had his ears frozen as a child & the doctors thought he would lose them--he didn't. His stories about WWII are unnerving--malaria, accidents,battlefield--just being in Europe during the War. Their love was so ever present in that sterile hospital room. He just wanted to touch her & make her feel better--such a gentle man! Life has gone on since that heart-wrenching night. I am now a Grandma!!! NaNa actually! I have 4 beautiful grandchildren (I am NOT prejudiced"!)--2 boys & 2 girls. I do believe that my MoM kissed them all on their foreheads & sent them down to earth to be a part of our lives. She probably whispered in their ears & said "your NaNa will love you no matter what--but for goodness sakes!! Do NOT use her as a role model!" My Dad met My Stepmom Jean 5 years ago. She's such an awesome & fun person! She has given him a reason to live on for her & the rest of us. I LOVE YOU SO VERY MUCH, MoM i"ll miss you forever