Two letters in response to Our Diamond in the Rough

December 20th, 1981

Dear Mom

Sixteen years ago you gave me a birthday gift that I have kept and cherished and still have. I have taken it out and read and re-read it many times. It started out "Sweet Sixteen Our Diamond in the rough".  Well mom I am no longer sixteen and a lot of things in my life have smoothed down some of the rough edges. This gift was a letter from you to me. It is the one I have kept that meant the most to me above all other gifts. Now I too am raising a little diamond in the rough. Thank you mom for all the  things you have been to me, for being yourself. Most of all I want to thank you for finally being the friend I wanted in you. I have always loved you and always will.  Your one of the extra special persons in my life. You to are  a rare and precious jewel, refined and sparkling with beauty. Your edges are smoother than my own. Life has touched us both in joy and in sorrow. We have come a long way, been through a lot and probably will go through a lot more. I love you mom, keep being yourself a very special person in many ways. Love your daughter 

Jennine

P.S as Valerie would say  "Have a rainbow day".

May 8th 2005 Happy Mother's day Mom, I miss you

Dear mom

You have reached the station from your long journey through life. April 5th, 2005 I told you see you later and I believe I shall see you one day again.  Meanwhile it has been 40 years since the letter you gave to me on my sixteenth birthday and I still have that letter though it is a bit tattered and yellowed now. I found in your picture box the letter I wrote back to you sixteen years later. My little diamond in the rough has grown up now and has five of her own diamonds in the rough, four little girls and a little boy. Each one yes even her son a jewel in the making . And my daughter has become her own beautiful jewel a sparkling garnet. She shines above many and has both inner and outer beauty. You helped me to shape and mold her mom as have many others and she is still being refined.  Mom I am not sure what type of gem I really am but I think I met your expectations though I am sure I still need some edges smoothed yet. Meanwhile as you asked in the legacy you wanted read at your memorial of Robert Hastings "The Station", I will try and watch more sunsets, go barefoot more often and eat more ice cream and enjoy more the little things life has to offer. I have six granddaughters now who are all a part of you. It will be interesting to see what kind of gem they turn out to be. Some a brilliant diamond, perhaps another a glowing ruby, and yet another a sapphire or emerald. While one could become a deep purple  amethyest or fire opal. Each will be special and precious with her own refined qualities.  Thanks mom for sharing your trip with me.  I have a ways to go yet and more to learn, see and experience so I will see you later mom when I too arrive at the station.  

Love forever your daughter

Jennine

Not a day goes by that I do not miss my mom sorely and deeply.  And right now I wish I could talk to her in my current crisis and do but she can no longer respond at least not until I too have reached the station.