Thank you all for participating in the celebration of my mother’s life. 

I also would like to thank my sisters, and any of you who had a hand in putting this program together and allowing a space for me. 

I must apologize in advance to all the mothers in attendance today, in no way do I mean to offend you, but my mother is the most amazing woman the world has ever had the opportunity to know.  I say opportunity to know because God allowed us here, the blessing of experiencing life with my mom. We all loved being around her, and she did so much for us all.

The love my mom has for me and my sisters is truly unconditional. I know that is a typical statement, but nothing has been truer.  I have been in prison quite a while and I have seen the devastation from guys when their mom say they want nothing to do with them. Those terrible words never came out of my mother’s mouth because they were never in her heart. I know that I disappointed her and my dad on many occasions, but they would never give up on me.

Her lessons have truly enabled me to get through difficult times. It may have seemed that her words were going in one ear and out of the other, but through it all I’ve learned so much from mom. I have learned to listen, I have learned empathy, I have learned to do for others even if I get nothing in return - I was just slow to application. These important lessons I will carry with me always. Whenever I was preparing to leave the house after visiting my parents, or talking with them over the phone, my mom would always end every conversation the same “I love you too much”!

I love you too much Mom.