Mom, I want to thank you for your never ending love and devotion to me. You were always there guiding me and assisting me even when I didn't listen and had to endure life's consequences. I will always remember us sitting together on the front porch swing at 1106 Valley Ave singing "Good Night Irene" when I was in 1st grade; you walking me to and from preschool at the church at west Piccadilly street and north Braddock street next to the big apple. The walks we shared walking to the Triangle Diner where I got a hot chocolate and toast while you let me play "The Ring of Fire" on the jukebox, and the walks to and from Quarles elementary school during 1st grade. The playing of Patty Cake and you helping me with the spelling and arithmetic, sometimes using flash cards sitting at the kitchen table. The ice cream cones you bought me from Mr. Softee and the hamburgers from Snow White Grill. The walks to see the talking black myna bird on the long porch on Loudon Street where you let me take a cracker, just to hear him say "polly want a cracker". The protection you always gave me when I was being beaten by dad. I have a million+ wonderful memories of growing up, even though we were poor, I was the richest boy in the entire world having you for my mother. I am so sorry I moved to Arizona and missed those years and especially the final years with you. I will always remember our times together and you will always be in my thoughts. I love you mom and miss you so very, very much.