Let go and let God

Everything happens for a reason.  This isn't the worst thing that could happen to you.  Here's to a woman who truly had a passion for everything she did.  Here's to a woman who taught me right from wrong.  Here's to a woman who taught me that things won't always go my way, and that sometimes you have to go through the storm to see the rainbow.  Here's to a woman who took me around the world and opened my eyes to things that very few are lucky enough to experience.  Here's to a woman who lived every day to its absolute fullest.  Here's to a woman who lit up the room as soon as she walked in.  Here's to a woman who was the "glue," who held everything and everyone together.  Here's to a woman who made the world a better place.  Here's to a woman who was passionate, inspirational, joyful, and spontaneous.  (Just to name a few.)  There are not enough words or phrases that can fully grasp her personality.
Every once in a while you will come across a person who impacts your life, and if you're lucky, that person can change your life for the better.  If you're lucky, that person can inspire you to be the absolute best person you can be.  Sometimes it's a friend, co-worker, teacher... In this case, she was Mom. 

"When you stop learning new things you start dying."-Katharine Hepburn

When something bad happens in your life, one of the first things to come to your mind is, "Why me? Why am I having such a difficult time?"  What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.  Remember that.  Sometimes struggles are blessings in disguise.  When Mom got sick, one of the first things she said was, "I'm just glad it's me and not any of you all."  She would've rather had to go through the awful radiation and chemo treatments instead of any of her family or friends.  Mom was one woman who could handle just about anything that came her way.  Not only would she handle it with dignity and grace, but she could see the sunshine out of a mule's ass.  In the worst possible situation she would see the bright side of things.  Everybody dies, but not everybody lives.  Here's to a woman who lived, and who showed everyone how to live who came across her path.  Your plan may not be the plan that God has in mind for you.  This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. -Psalm 118:24  You're only guaranteed today.  Make the most of it.

“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, I used everything you gave me.” -Erma Bombeck