It is with indescribable sadness that I tell all of you who know me that my sweet spirited  Mother Marion Carol Warren passed on to be with Dad and Johnny, her siblings and parents, her grands and great grands as well as many cousins in heaven yesterday morning.

I've been sitting here in the dark listening to my pulse and the crickets in my head. Trying to decide what I might say in her honor.  She was the best mother ever. One might think her a saint unless they heard her commentary when the Astros are losing. She did anything and everything she could for anyone in need. Never lied, cheated, stolen or purposely hurt anyone's feelings. EVER!

Mom was the perfect wife and although us kids weren't close to perfect it wasn't because she didn't set the bar by example or forcefully keep us in line when we wavered. My Mom spent hours on her knees catching 65 mph fastballs and chasing wild pitches to boot. Between seasonal sports our garage was always filled with lots of noise and the loud voices of half a dozen teenagers playing ping pong. Cookies and koolaid a daily staple for all who stopped by. She camped in the back of the truck during rodeos and hers was the only voice I heard above the crowd and announcer either celebrating when I made the 8 seconds with attaboys or shouting words of encouragement when the Bulls came out on top. I  proudly wore the homemade western shirts she tailor made for me to ride in. She nursed me through 17 broken bones, 2 broken hearts and too many bugs, viruses and conditions to list.

Mom never spent money on anything for herself. Her entire wardrobe shoes and all wouldn't fill two suitcases. Her purpose in life was to serve and care for her family. She always put herself last. She was a leader in every club, group or click she associated with. She was simple but smart. No sense trying to lie to her. The last nine months of her life were a true test of her faith and a measure of her fortitude. She endured unimaginable discomfort and graciously endured  the indignity of being poked prodded and probed by dozens of strangers in a half dozen facilities. 3 months into this, Dad passed.

As her condition declined and hope of ever returning to life outside of a hospital dwindled and died as well. She was adamant that she didn't want to die in any home other than her own. We called in a hospice team (Harbor Hospice) and Home Instead caregivers and brought her home Monday morning. She spent about 3 hours looking at pics and other memorabilia we'd hung on every wall of her room. Then closed her eyes. I sat by her side all night talking about everything and anything. Sang her a few songs I did know. Made up some I didn't know. Told stories and begged her to not worry about us and urged her towards the light. Although she was mostly responsive I know she could hear me. At one point I was listing all the people who loved her and told her how special she was to all of us. I leaned over and kissed her and I could see that her lower lids had filled with tears. I sat for 8 hours before finally closing my eyes. I laid down and 30 minutes later Valerie was waking me to say she had passed on. I guess she pulled the Mother card and decided to spare me the pain of watching her die. I had been hoping God would spare be merciful and stop her suffering yet when Val told me she was gone I felt no relief. Only despair and an overwhelming sense of loss.

I cant believe she's gone. I love you Momma!  See you in a minute.