Anonymous
Dear Phil,
I have only now realized that your mother has passed away. Please forgive me that these condolences are so late in coming.
Your mom was always a wonder to observe, so hard working and industrious, maintaining a farm while simultaneously running the household. At the same time, I recall her perfectly willing to drop everything on a moments notice and gladly take us wherever we wanted to go. She even made her own cottage cheese from the milk of her cows and had a good number of customers for it.
She was very kind to me and always made me feel welcome in your house. I have images of her in my mind that will stay with for the rest of my life. I can see her chasing the geese, heading out to the barn in boots, or sitting on the grass shaking her head at a box of magazines we discovered left behind by her tenants.
Above all what I saw was that she was always so completely devoted to you growing up. I remember your bronzed baby shoes on her dresser. She never ceased to be fascinated with anything you were interested in, whether it was action figures, comic books or guitars, she provided you with everything you needed to fuel your imagination and spark your creativity. Her grand children must have brought her tremendous happiness over these past years.
You were there for me so many years ago when I lost my mother and you truly helped me to get through it. I am deeply saddened that I have not been able to be there for you.
Please extend my condolences to your father and sister and to your families.