Today I’m happy for a good relationship with my mother. We sure struggled with much after my father died. He was 40, Mom was 38, I was 14, Eric 12. Rough times. We learned to triumph over pain during those years, and many days were a struggle.

We almost lost mom about 15 years ago to lymph cancer. Now she wins ballroom dancing awards, rides her bicycle to exercise class and volunteers to teach kids to read.

At 76, she’s rocking life fully. Go, Mom. So glad we grew up long enough to appreciate each other. She’s  my best fan; attends our music concerts and my dance events. I’m grateful.

Images: Above, celebrating Mom’s 75th birthday. Me, Mom, Brother Eric Oscar, Mom’s beau Fred. At left, Mom modeling a shawl designed and knit by Eric Oscar’s wife, designer Diana Troldahl/Otterwise.