Regret is not an emotion I visit, and I will not at your passing either. Instead I will find peace in the knowledge that you never had to doubt your children’s love and devotion for you. Nor did your children ever doubt your love and devotion for them. The example you set with your life has always guided the course of our lives, and I find solace in knowing that the memory of it will continue to guide us now that you are gone. That is your legacy to us. Would that everyone would know such a noble gift as we do.

You enriched our lives as a Mother should, but selflessly never asked for anything from us. You taught us to give without expectation.

You always answered the call before you were even asked to do so, no matter your own private and personal strife at the time. You taught us to care.

You taught us guilt brings no consolation, but instead only brings despair. Today we are free of both.

You always took time for the less fortunate among us, in spite of your own misfortune. You showed us humility.

You touched so many lives. Your life was a constant, an absolute that reminded us that all that mattered was family and home. Now we turn our attention to both.

Doubtless a single day will pass now that you won’t be present in our thoughts. That alone will help us to grapple with our grief, right ourselves and embrace life.

You brought us into this world, and now you take a piece of each our hearts with you beyond this world. We know it’s secure with you There, and we find peace knowing that someday you’ll make our hearts whole again…forever.