Despite having degenerative disc issues for half her life, she loved gardening and spending time at the trailer until she couldn’t. 

A couple of years before she passed, due to her illness she forgot she no longer smoked cigarettes. I went to visit a couple of times before she was bedridden, and she wanted to go outside for a smoke. 

I said, " I thought you didn't smoke anymore mom?" With that familiar twinkle in her eye, she would respond, "oh that's right dear". I giggled at her response, but when I was asked to take her cigarettes home, she had stockpiled 5 cartons of them 😂.  Not sure how or who she had convinced to bring them to her, or whether she ever actually smoked any of them, she had managed to have them just in case.

 I was nervous when I had my daughter, Janelle, but mom told me things would come naturally. She was right! She had lots of confidence in me. Even though I was her youngest she always had faith that I would be okay. That I would do well on my own.   I miss hearing her voice telling me that I did good at a job I had completed. "I knew you could do it!"

 Being so different, almost opposites in some ways, we did fight throughout the years. Sometimes it felt like I was the responsible parent and she was the free-spirited child who would just take off on an adventure and leave all responsibilities behind. It was sad to see her bedridden at the end of her life for so many years. Sometimes it is a blessing when loss of memory comes and acceptance of what is takes its place.

 Despite our differences throughout the years, I always knew she loved me and I loved her too.