Nick
My mom, she was one of a kind bringing into our lives the special perspective she had, as reflected in the wonderful flower garden she kept, the bird feeders, the vegetable garden and even in the care for our compost and little stream behind the house creating a wonderful place to live for us and for nature. \r\n\r\nWith 4 boys and a husband, I often wondered if she felt isolated in a way, but that thought never crossed her mind. This was her family and she made it everyone's home. If we wrestled in the house, she'd simply say 'it's fine if you want to wrestle, just do it outside,' and of course that would be on a rainy day so it would thus end the tussle in the easiest of ways. She also managed to keep us busy, with chores yes, but it was always a learning experience, and as a guy I learned how to do everything which made my own life a little easier. \r\n\r\nAnd when it was time to visit her family in Iowa, she managed to organize us into an effective troop, marching off to the train station and through Chicago no less, all as part of a great adventure, me looking forward to trains and comic books of Snoopy and Charlie Brown. It was her encouragement that allowed me to enjoy careers in art, music and architecture, even leading me to Carnegie Hall if only to be the Architect for a landmarks restoration. \r\n\r\nMy mom never complained, never got angry and was always able to respond to things in the most reasoned way. She did have a special perspective on life and I am fortunate to have been part of her life to be able to witness it. If only I could be as good a person as she truly was every day. I miss you mom, love always.