A letter to Mom

Mom, what can I say? You are missed more than you will ever know. I have been scanning all of my old pictures, and there have been so many that you have been in that have made me miss you so much. And, you were always there when I needed you for Jackie and Kim. So many memories. Here you are holding Kim the week after she was born; right after giving her a bath with Jackie looking on. I remember feeling bad that she was crying after the bath, but it didn't faze you one bit. You never complained.

Do you remember the trip to Houston with Jackie and Kim in 1988? Jack drove us to Grand Rapids airport in a snowstorm with continuous whiteouts. We left around 3 in the morning. It was a long trip, but we did have a lot of fun, even when I had to walk Kim into the bathroom at the Dayton airport because she was acting up; and when Jackie, threw up all over Barb's carpet... what a nightmare that was.

And remember the trip we made to Houghton Lake? We stayed in a kitchenette at a motel called Holiday on the Lake. We played shuffleboard, went fishing, and just enjoyed the beautiful weather. You and the kids fell asleep in the back seat on our way home. I guess we were all a little tired out, but we did have fun on that trip. I was so happy that you enjoyed spending time with my kids.

You were always there when I needed you. In many ways, you helped raise my kids. They spent a lot of time with you. And you were always there for their birthdays, most Thanksgivings and every Christmas while they were growing up. I will never forget the laugh we enjoyed when their dad made the homemade strawberry ice cream, but he failed to crush the strawberries. They were like rocks. We laughed so hard. And the Christmas when you choked on the Turkey, and I had to bring you into emergency. Now that is something I would just as soon forget.


You never failed to surprise me with your antics. You were never too "old" to have fun. The kids always knew they would have fun with Grandma Fles. S0metimes I felt like I was the mother and you were the daughter. My kids always loved to spend time with their grandma and the love that they shared with you will last a lifetime.

You are truly one of the most cherished blessings that I have.

You gave me life, and you gave me love. I miss you everyday. I wish you were here to enjoy your great-grandkids. God has blessed me with two more grandchildren since the day He took you home to be with Him. On that day, I said good-bye when I had to leave for Ryan's first birthday. I told you then that I would see you again and to say hi to daddy for me. I love you and I miss you. A day doesn't go by that you are not in my thoughts.