I wrote this for my mother almost a year after she died...I just found it again... wanted to share.

You are in everything I do, your memory consumes my life
You are the motivation in my housekeeping
Keep the toilets clean, vacuum up the dog hair
You’re even in the food I cook, my spaghetti sauce
The red velvet cake with drizzle icing
You knew I hated the cream cheese kind
You’re in my clothes, you always liked me in those colors
And those hippy loose shirts and bellbottom jeans
You’re blue jacket and shoulder purse
And those sandals, always sandals
I’m cold all the time and I always by real cheese
No cheap coffee here
Sometimes you get what you pay for
Cut the bacon in half, eat real dinners
Everyone at the table like it or not
Or go without simple as that
Candles everywhere and stealing moments
With woman’s day and romance novels
A sappy movie and daytime talk shows
Dance to a song because the Bitch is Back
And after I Cry Like A Rainstorm and those
Black Waters keep on rolling
I just might take a walk with Ole Red
And life goes on and the laundry gets done
Only one way to fold the towels
In half, in half and then in thirds
But make sure you use them twice
They wear out you know….
Patch a hole and sew a button
Plan the quilt I’ll sew on the machine for baby
And maybe the picture I’ll crosstitch…
Bake for Christmas and everyone every time of year
And go pick the apples to make pie filling
I can mow the yard myself, don’t need no man
I rather like to mow you know….
It’s great having a dishwasher but you gotta get those dishes done
And wipe off the sink after you wash them…
Keep the tub clean and plant some flowers
They may not live but you’ve gotta have them
Love the cat, little princess
And snuggle babe always yours
Be understanding because everyone is different
And never give a flying fuck
What the neighbors think anyways
If it makes me happy and I am content
Hell that’s all that matters
Don’t let people tell you who to love
Or whether or not to leave or stay
They don’t know what happens behind closed doors
And school doesn’t matter as long as I make it somehow
Steal moments for yourself wherever you can find them
And enjoy the sun rise…
Gin and tonics are a girl’s best friend
And so are dogs and daughters and makeup
And jewelry and satellite TV
But the things that really count are family
And getting along and making up
Don’t choose sides and never hold a grudge
Life is to damn short
It’s all gonna work out soon
Money isn’t everything and you can
Feed a family on practically nothing
If you can make a 4 course meal
Out of beans and cornbread and some meatloaf
If you only know what spices to use
Garlic is good in almost everything
And you should always have baking goods around the house
Let the animals in and sneak them on the couch
When the men aren’t home
They don’t understand anyways…
Do what you can for other people
They love you
And take naps…
Working is the most important thing to build character
Oversleep occasionally
Never go to the doctor it’s a waste of money
But Tylenol sinus is our friend
Teach your children the ways of the world
Don’t shelter them they’ll learn it somewhere
You taught me to grow up and grow out
On my own and you said
You raised me to leave you and
You would always miss me but that my leaving made you proud
I wanted to make you proud, you always believed in me
No matter what
I wanted to show you I could make it like you taught me
I could make it on my own make you proud
And I have… I just hope you can see….