It has been many years since you’ve been gone mom but you live with me every day.

Not sure if you knew this when you were alive but you were my best friend as I was growing up.

You spent your life raising your boys and making sure we had everything we needed.

Even when Dad was working two jobs to save for a house and we didn’t get to see him very much, maybe sometimes on weekends, you made it a point to take us places, zoos, museums, the beach.

If you could take a bus to it, we were there, especially when Dad was working for transit and you got free bus rides.

That was the best getting on buses and never paying!

During the summers we would always end up at Orchard Beach in the Bronx and she would not only take us but some neighborhood kids too.

Always fun times. I can still taste the sand in the cheese sandwiches.

Anyone who knew my mom knew she was not a quiet person.  I surely get my yelling skills from her.

My kids don’t like it when I yell, neither do our dogs, but we are doomed to become our parents and that was an everyday part of life in our house.

I know that’s not the best way to communicate but it does get attention especially when no one is listening to you and you need to get your point heard.

My mom was 4 feet 11 inches, but when she used that strong voice, she was 8 feet tall and then some.

She was a force to be reckoned with. Ask the neighbors, I’m sure they heard her.

As a young adult we sat and talked a lot about life and I wish she was still alive and could meet my kids and hang with them.

I think they would have gotten along great.  My son was born on her birthday and I see some of her in him, especially that loud voice.

He has no volume control, no inside voice, I do not think he knows how to whisper.

Good for him, I hope he makes himself heard in this world.

I miss you Mom, wish you were still here.

Hopefully I can keep you alive in stories about you and memories that I share.

Happy Mother’s Day.