Mom

Most of you who read this blog know that my mother, Dawn Rena Landry, was diagnosed with lung cancer last May. She passed away last Wednesday, April 16th at home. She was 49 years old. This is the most recent picture I have of her (my mom wasn't one to pose for a photo, this is at Christmas dinner at our house with my dad, her husband of 31 years--since she was 18.)

In the summer of 2006, my mother's sister, Lora, passed away. She also fought cancer and although my mother's family had not been close, my mother worked from the time of her sister's illness to her own death on repairing hurts and putting her family back together. In some cases, over a decade had gone by without family seeing eachother or keeping in touch. Since she was sick, she let us know what she wanted in the way of memorial and here are some pictures from the Memorial luncheon we had on Saturday. It was exactly what my mother wanted--her family together, sharing fond memories, listening to her favorite music, outside on a perfect spring day.

Malcolm, me, my Dad, and Uncle Joe.

My cousin Angel's daughter Lily in the wagon with Karina. They released balloons for grandma and Aunt Dee.

My mom's siblings and mother: brother Joe, sister Linda, mother Lavern, sister Debbie. You can just see Aidan and Malcolm in the background.

Me with all but one of my girl cousins on my Mom's side: Me, Angel, Brandy, Stephanie, and Jessica.

Thanks mom, for getting your family back in touch over the last couple of years--we all love you!