Today we bury my mother in a world that is crazy with this coronavirus. Due to this fact, we are only allowed 10 people at her funeral. Therefore, for those of you who cannot be present at her burial this is what I wanted to say and share with all of you. The grandchildren always said Nama can never change her red hair color because we can always find her in a crowd. I think my mom was proudest to be a mother, a wife and Nama to her 3 grandkids. Family meant everything to her and she could be a mama bear when she felt the need to protect any one of us. My mom always pushed me to do better and always believed in me. I got my tenacity and work ethic from her which was passed down from her father. She would always stick up for her kids and never put us down. She has made me a better person which I try to instill in my kids everyday – work hard and never give up on your dreams because we will always support you with unconditional love. One of the happiest days of her life was when she met my dad. My dad accepted my sister and I immediately which reinforced the true good nature of my father. I remember my mom was always there for me whether it was being my Cub Scout leader, my cheerleader at baseball, where she met dad, or to advise me with her wisdom guiding me through life. She loved making us cream of wheat with the right amount of sugar, spaghetti with meat sauce, lamb chops, brisket, and Hawaiian chicken. She was always surrounded by love and family. She never met a pair of shoes, purse, striped shirt, or jeans she did not love. She was never a sports fan but shopping was her sport – Nordstrom’s was her play area. My mom was a force to be reckoned with. Her zest for life, her ability to brighten up any room she entered and her beautiful smile will be missed, but she’ll live on in us as we remember and celebrate the woman she was. Her greatest accomplishment = family (she cherished her husband, sons, daughters, grandchildren, cousins, and friends). I will always love and cherish you mom!