- I hate that The Mom lives so far away. I love that she's finally retiring from her postal route next month, and will be here next Mother's Day. Really hoping that real estate gets a little healthier in Detroit over the next year, so she gets decent money out of her house - she's put her back into fixing it up for so many years. Fairly sure it's going to kill her to leave her garden - she'd dig the whole thing up and move it if she could.

- It's our first Mother's Day without Mom's Mom, Nanny. She's my definition of survivor - severely mentally ill most of her adult life, she retained her spark, and a personality that was larger than life. When she was having a good day, she cheated at poker, and flirted with the men. And she loved her fancy Church hats.

- Lavon, my ex's Mother, was one of a kind. She taught me all about getting the most out of every day - she could bring the fun out of the most mundane situation. She also taught me how to partner at Euchre for maximum wins. She drove a beautiful old Coupe de Ville, taught ballroom dance in her youth, and had the best heart I've ever known.

- My stepmother is the oldest of six sisters and one lone brother. When the Gang of Sisters all get together for pinochle and food, you do *not* want to be on the receiving end of their Card Sharkery. They also can bankrupt you with a few hands of Hearts. The Stepmonster loves me like one of her own, but shows no mercy with a deck in her hands. I learned early that I would not be coming home with any money.

... Looks like I should be a whole lot better at cards than I am.