November is always the month that reminds us to reflect on the things and people we are thankful for. I am thankful for so much, I could write a whole book, and maybe someday I will.
But this week I want to talk about my mother. Ann Rutledge. She was always my inspiration, my courage, my determination to do better, to be better. She believed in all of us kids in ways we never knew. She was my best friend.
My mom didn’t have the easiest of lives, but she had an inner strength that pulled her through it. Then she taught us kids how to find that inner strength in ourselves. She was always so positive, so loving, and so kind. Mom didn’t know a stranger, and everyone looked to her for advice.
Her children were truly her life, me, Warren, Dauna, Daniel, and Andrea. But she loved her step-daughter Karen as much as the rest of us. To mom, a daughter was a daughter.
I miss her so much, I still cry at times when I think of her. It’s been over 4 years now since she left this world. But she will always and forever be in my heart.
I love you mom. And I am so thankful to be your daughter.
Mom and me when I was about 3 years old