Mom,

Where do I start. I am not sure it has set in for any of us that your gone. Today, Buffy needed a number for an old family friend and thought if she called you, you would have it. Every time we are all in the same room together I get an urge to call you to find out why your late and ask "When are coming over, everyone's waiting."

You had a major heart attack of all things. Just like you, it was not a typical heart attack. There are no symptoms, no tests to detect it, it just takes you suddenly. You did everything right. We were able to find out that you fainted and went quickly, no pain or suffering. This has helped us greatly.

You prepared us so well for this. You always made sure we knew you loved us. We all feel a sense of peace knowing that you were happy and that you knew we loved you just as much. You raised us to be strong, independent, street- smart, free thinking kids. You did a perfect job.

Amy brought Eliza with her, she is so beautiful and Tony commented that she is beginning to resemble you. She has been a godsend, she is our "non-narcotic mood enhancer". Don't worry, I am whispering "Where's Oma?" to her every chance I get.

Thank you for having four kids. There is no way any of us could have gotten through this without each other. We are all holding up well, granted we have our "fits", followed by spans of normal conversation. We have named them "fits" because it sounds so much better than "breakdowns".

We miss you so much and know that life as we know it has changed. The one thing that makes me smile is that the majority of what I have written in this letter, you already know.

I love you and miss you,

Kory