As I was looking for the words to say that would convey how I feel about my mother, I came across these words that described the nature of our relationship.
“When you’re a child she walks before you…to set an example. When you’re a teen she walks behind you…to be there should you need her. When you’re an adult she walks beside you…so that as two friends you can enjoy life together.”

Geraldine,
It has been an honor and a pleasure to share this life with you. It is because of your love, care, support, and sense of humor that I am the woman I am today. I have been so blessed to call you my mother. Not only have you been a great mother, you have been an even greater friend.
I will miss calling you by your name and seeing you smile when I do so. I will miss giving you hugs and kisses on the cheek before departing from your presence. I will miss our telephone conversations and laying in bed watching television with you while you give a commentary on what you think is going to happen next. I will miss your advice, both solicited and unsolicited, where you tell me what you would have done when you were my age or if you were me. I will miss your home cooked meals and holiday gatherings at your apartment, how you always cooked too much food and then forced us to take leftovers home. I will miss going shopping with you for clothes and jewelry and listening to you tell me where you plan to where the outfit you purchased. I will miss your indecisiveness in the drive thru at restaurants often waiting until we were done ordering our food just to make about 2 or 3 changes to your order. I will miss calling you up just to hear your voice and you automatically knowing if something was wrong just by my tone.
I hope you never felt taken for granted by me because that was never my intention. I love you so much more than even these words could ever express. I am so grateful that I was able to live these past 8 years in the same city and state with you, to spend so much quality time with you before God called you home. I look forward to the day when we will see one another again. Until then I pray that I continue to make you proud and that my life reflects the legacy you have left behind.
Thank you so much. I didn’t know your mom passed in 2016. I am so very sorry. Yes, it is so tough to continue on this journey without her.
This is a beautiful tribute..i feel exactly as you do.. I lost my mom in 2016 and miss her each and every day.