Moms

I have been blessed in my life to have three Moms. My real Mom, who raised me to adulthood, and continues to do what she can to finish raising me. My mother in law who welcomed me into G's family and treated me just like all the other kids. And my Mom who adopted my kids as another grandma when we moved here. I am not sure if I adopted her first, or if she adopted me first. My kids know her as Gramma Rita. She passed away last night.

I first got to know Rita as her visiting teacher. She quickly stepped in as my Mom away from home. Although I was her visiting teacher, she helped me far more than I ever helped her. She helped me through many crisis' including miscarriages, and an ectopic pregnancy. She even built shelves for me when I needed more space in the old house. When the kids were little she would come pick them up and take them to the movies, or out for ice cream. Lucky for D, he got to have Gramma Rita as his first grade teacher. With the love of a Gramma, she kept him challenged, and bought numerous books for "her library" so he would have something to read. It is clear to me that I wasn't just assigned to visit teach her, but that Heavenly Father had a greater plan. Clearly I needed Rita in my life.

She battled cancer probably about nine years ago and won that battle. However, it came back several years later, and although she fought hard, she just couldn't win the war. She was such a good person. I don't understand why she had to go through it and suffer the way she did. But I trust that there was a reason. I hope we were all able to learn whatever it was we needed to learn. I know she is needed elsewhere, and that she is comfortable, happy, and proud of her family she left behind.

I have learned so many things from Rita. Here are just a few: You don't have to be related to have a Mom or Gramma. You can always say something nice about someone. Life may not
be what you had planned or expected, but there is always something to smile about.
My life will continue, and so will Rita's, hers on the other side of the veil. However, my life is better because I have known Gramma Rita. Her absence will leave a hole in my heart, but maybe someday it will be filled with adopted Grandkids, and I will think of her.

Good Things:
1. Knowledge of the plan of salvation
2. A Friend who become my Mom away from home
3. Gramma Rita