I don't think I could ever tell you how valuable you were to my life when I was sick, or how valuable you are to me now. You never left my side. You held my hand through every test, every treatment, every surgery. While having cancer makes you feel very alone, I never felt lonely, because of you. I needed you then more than you ever knew. You never knew all the nights I woke up sick, weak, and restless, finding you sleeping right beside me in that tiny twin bed. I would reach over, rest my hand on your arm, and that would make me feel a little better. Just knowing you were there. A mother's touch....how powerful. There was also a time when you had some stacked boxes removed from my small bedroom, which had been placed at the foot of my bed. I was too weak to care, but you said that those boxes made it look like I was being put away, and you weren't having that. You never knew how much that meant to me. You and I were going through so much within our home at that time, but you never once waivered in your taking care of me. Your faith in God got us through it. Without Him, I wouldn't be here today. So many, many times during my sickness, I gave up. I prayed to God to help me, because I just couldn't take it anymore. I was tired of the fight. I told Him that either I needed the strength to go on, or I wanted to die. That must have been the times He whispered in your ear, because you always knew just what to say to me.
You have always been a remarkable woman. I hope that my children have that kind of mother. I try my hardest, I have learned by example.
Thanks for everything, Mom. I love you.
~~Lori~~