1.  My best friend, Mary Elizabeth, who passed when I was 12 years old.  I named my daughter Maribeth after her.  Mary’s memory is still strong in my heart.

2.  My precious father-in-law — I fell in love with him before I fell in love with his son!  So curious, so fun, so loving.  The best Pawpoo ever!

3.  My precious mother-in-law — I fell in love with her before I fell in love with her son!  Hardworking, loving, and so very caring.  The best Mamoo ever!

4.  My dear, dear Mother — so fragile in some ways, so tough in others.  Dearly loved by all of us, and sadly missed always.

5.  My dear friend, Lynne, who left before we were ready for her to go.  So full of life, creativity, fun, and adventure.

6.  Our former neighbor, Art, who was part of our family — not quite Dad, not quite brother, with humor and steadiness, he helped us raise our family.

7.  Our former neighbor, Peggy (Art’s wife), a wild and wonderful redhead, whose middle name was “love”.  So creative and famous for her artistry and her tacos.

8.  My beloved brother, who passed before his time in the mountains of Colorado, a drummer who was elusive, but loving and my baby brother no matter what.

9.  My big sister Barbara, my go to person, who taught me unconditional love by example.  She was a force for good and generosity in my life.

10.  Many people have come and gone in my life.  I carry them all in my heart.  Their spirits are still alive in the words and thoughts of the people who are still living who remember them.  Thank you, God, for every second I got to be in their lives.

11.  Remembering with gratitude, every veteran who has sacrificed his or her life for our country.  And all the veterans, who continue to sacrifice by putting themselves in harms’ way.  Blessings on all of them, and all of the veterans who are disabled as a result of their service.

Book recommendation:  CAN’T WAIT TO GET TO HEAVEN – Fannie Flagg