I wanted to do some sort of tribute to my mother, because she means so much to me.

The problem I've had is that she and I have never had the normal "Mother-Daughter" relationship. I was raised by my grandparents, so Mom has always been more like a sister to me.

So all the traditional "Mom" stuff, just doesn't say it.

But she's always been there for me, and is probably the best friend I've ever had.

(Or ever WILL have.)

We've been thru a lot together. My brother died at 16 of Cystic Fibrosis,

and she and I depended on each other a lot to get thru it.

So while other women depend on "girlfriends" in their own age group, Mom is my support group. She listens when I rant about something insignificant, and sometimes, she rants right along with me.

I never really knew how much my Mom meant to me, until I had a daughter of my own.  And I know I owe all my strength and sense of humor to her.