It has been one year today that I sat by the bedside of my mom and said goodbye until we see each other again.  It had been a long few months as she struggled to regain her health fighting with every ounce of her 85 lbs tiny frame.  My father had passed away just a few months earlier and now my mom had felt her time here had been fulfilled and time to journey "home".

My mom, my example, my hero.  She truly was a lady before her time.  As a young adult she had joined the WAVES and served our country with pride.  She became a meteorologist and even was a weather lady for a local news station.  She married my dad and they had 63 years together, an example of commitment to making a loving home.  Being a hard worker she held down three jobs at one time to help out with our finances.  At that same time she was the PTA President, Girl Scout Leader.  The endless energy she brought to all she did.  Meticulous is organization, dress and all she did.  Truly an example to all.

I miss her every day.  She was my cheerleader, my best friend.  I was so blessed that even up to the end she was fully aware of all and we were able to recall great memories together.  Those same memories that I will draw upon and repeat to keep her memory alive for generations to know her.  My brother and I were so blessed to have her as our mom.

Now she lays to rest next to my dad at the National Cemetery in the Dallas area.  A quiet reverence place of such pride and spirit of country, duty and honor.  I have the flag that was draped over her casket next to a purse she had made and with matching gloves she had worn.  Just as I will always remember her, a lady of style, honor, and the one of our finest and best.  My mom!  I smile today because I know that she had left such a legacy and was such an inspiration to all that knew her.  Mary Frances Cary King, age 86, loving mother of three children and 6 grandchildren and one great grand child.  She loved Texas and the flowers that I photographed above.