While I was in Arkansas attending that computer system course, I managed to break free one weekend and go to Marion Arkansas for my Mother’s 85th Birthday. My mother has been suffering from advanced emphysema for nearly a decade and we all figure that this was probably her last birthday and made a point for all 6 of her children (huh, ranging from me (63) to my “kid sister” (44)) to be there to celebrate it with her. The first time in nearly 10 years! I am so glad that we did it and that she was so happy about it. Mother died last night at 11:30 pm. I tried for three days to talk to her on the phone, just a feeling that it would be the last time, but each time she was too tired or too drugged up to talk. Two weeks ago, they diagnosed cancer of the fastest growing type. I wish I could have talked one last time and told her how much she meant to me, but I believe she knew anyway. I am leaving tomorrow for the 13 hour trip “home” to close a very important chapter of my life – Heimdall the grieving