To the Woman who kept his “little people”  and matchbox cars and has some of them resting on her kitchen window seal…

Because of you, He admires every Lego creation they make, every Star Wars character they’ve kept, and loves to find buried toys in the backyard.

To the Woman who let him play in the dirt, and be a soldier every year for Halloween and any other day as he played in the yard…

Because of you He allows our boys to build forts and never acts surprised when He comes home to a “ladybug princess” playing football with “Rudy” in the backyard. 

To the Woman who told him chewing gum was made of elastic…

His daughters tells stories of the times her Daddy got in a fight with a bear, and got bit by a shark. And the one time He fought off a very sassy Giraffe. 

To the Woman who went back to school to become a teacher and sat at the kitchen table with her Son doing homework…

He now sits and helps them with their Math, not afraid to try a couple times to figure out the answers, and is brave enough tell them when He is stumped too. 

To the Woman who went to every soccer game he ever had up and down Southern Oregon…

He never complains about the weather as We watch Soccer, Cross Country, and Baseball, the only time He complains is when He misses their events.

To the Woman who always made a big breakfast the morning after friends slept over…

He always makes a big breakfast for the kids and friends. 

To the Woman who passed on a love for the river given to you by your own parents…

He is most content there.

To the Woman who believed in him, raising him to live a life of integrity and honesty, while finding laughter in the little things… 

He lives that way. Every day.

To the Woman  who took him to church and shared her faith with him…
I can never thank you enough. 

To the Woman who has prayed for him every day, and who taught him how to pray…

I can never thank you enough. 

To the Woman who thought her son might be a priest until she met me…

Who had one son, who chose me…

I can never thank you enough. 

You are a wonderful Mother to your Son, a wonderful Grandmother to our Children, and you are more than a Mother in law to me. 

You are my friend. 

I am…so grateful for your life. 

Happy Birthday Joan. ❤️ you are so very loved.