Today, on October 3, 1996, 16 years ago...(hard to believe) (don't want to believe) my mother, Gloria Stock Kerker passed away. I remember that night explicitly, where I was, who I was with, what I ate that night, when I talked to my sister telling me that Mom had died as if it were yesterday and sitting on the edge of my bed crying and not wanting to believe what had happened. I knew Mom had emphysema. I just thought she was going to get better and she wasn't going to die. I had just talked to her the Saturday before this. She called me, I always called her, I didn't want her to have to pay for the long distance call. She sounded clear and she asked me about a calligraphy project I was working on at work. She sounded like everything was getting better. Little did I know.

I miss her so much and I miss Shelley! I really hope they are together in Heaven. Shelley used to get mad at me when I would bring this day up to her. She didn't want to have it be a day to remember! I understand that, but it was a major turn in my life. How I saw things, where I was going, what exactly is going on. I still can't answer any of these questions.

My Mother gave me 2 traits of her's ...Art and being nocturnal! I love her for both for these! She was always there for me. Even when I was studying for an Art History exam and staying up with me all night or helping me rebuild my portfolio the night before my interview with the college I was hoping to get into, after our cat had peed all over it! Lovely. But she was there, especially when I needed her.

She was a beautiful woman and a great mother! I miss her every day! And I hope she is with me.

I love you so very, very much Mom, I hope you are happy! <3