Mom,
It’s been a long time since I’ve written you.
Right now, Zeb and his friend Miles are riding bicycles down steep winding hills in Mosier and I can’t help to think of you! Every time I came home from a long bike ride you were there smiling.. You didn’t even really ask me where I went or how dangerous the ride was. You just wanted to feed me and rejuvenate me again! Boy, do I miss those meals you could cook up so quickly and wonderfully. I never did figure out how you could look inside the refrigerator that resembled an avalanche! You could find and make the greatest tasty treasures to feed us! So glad you gave Traci, Jodi and Tanya “some” of those secret recipes!
One of the things I maybe never told you was how impressed I was and still am of your giving energy. It’s what I call “Mom energy!” Your “mom energy” was not concerned on how fast I swam, not preoccupied with some grade or test I might have bombed, not overreactive to “possible”(my best friend’s would say probable) speeding tickets I got in the car or on my bike, not overly concerned with the condition of my room, nor what girlfriend was on the horizon…you never got mad at me or refused my friends(sometimes up to 8) without asking you first.. for breakfast, lunch and dinner…..but rather you seemed to only be concerned about my well-being. You cared everyday how I was doing.. present tense.
Serving seemed to be your mission in life.. making or lives better..every single day! I really don’t know how you did it with 5 kids, especially with Kirk Lance, Tanya & Jodi!
Okay,that was a joke and actually I know you used most of your energy on me. to tame me down!

Your soul was like sitting next to a beautiful, soothing river.. ever-flowing, quiet, serene and always giving peace.. refreshment.
I treasure your creativity. Your artwork was just incredible. Your Native American art and clothing “Java”is still inspiring to me. You were like a modern-day Sacagawea…rescuing all of us!

I remember you staying up late at night to help me finish typing out my papers for high school. I was “hunt and peck” typer! You just wanted me to get more sleep for early morning swimming practice. Typing away after your whole day’s work!
thank you for all you’ve done and continue to do in my life. You are still such a blessing in our lives!
Sometimes there are moments when your smile enters my thoughts and your eyes seem to always know what we were up to.. Especially when you were cooking and we were trying to sneak candy out of the third drawer!

One of the last things we witnessed you doing on Earth was perhaps the most astounding demonstration of the power of “mom energy.”
Zeb, was not even 2 months old and you were barely eating or drinking at that time at Lance & Sandy’s house. I don’t know how many days went by but all I know is somehow you saved up enough mom energy to get yourself upright,hold your hands out and then suddenly powerfully say…”the baby.”
I’ve coached many world-class athletes and I’ve never seen that amount of strength and will!
You held 8 lb Zeb in your hands with tenderness and immeasurable love. It was a demonstration of love we will never forget. Your last words and actions on this side of Heaven was “mom energy” LOVE!

I can only imagine you are there in heaven preparing the banquet feast with Jesus. I picture the Angels doing the taste testing for the sauce and they all unanimously decide yours is the best! BTW, if there is coleslaw in heaven.. I know it will be yours!
Love you so much Mom, just wanted to say hi and see your smile growing in my heart once again.
You taught us how to Live Life!
Love,
All of us