Every week, until she died, I featured my mom on my radio program every Friday. People liked her Southern, no-nonsense straight talk. When she died, I received an avalanche of cards and letters expressing sympathy. Two letters came unexpectedly:
"Dear Larry, I was so very sorry to hear of your mother's passing, and I send you my sympathy and good wishes. I know from experience that you can never be ready for a moment like this, but hope you'll be able to find comfort both in the closeness of family and friends and in the memory of your mother's long -- and by all accounts -- very rich life. Please know that I am thinking of you during this difficult time. With warm regards, Arnold Schwarzenegger."
And, "Dear Larry, I was so very sorry to hear the news of your mother's death and wanted to convey my sympathies. I know you were especially close and that you will miss her terribly. Although words fail at such a heartbreaking time, please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope that, in time, your wonderful memories of her will bring you comfort and strength. Sincerely yours, Nancy Reagan." What would Mom think?
To commemorate the anniversary of my mother's death, her friends intend to gather at the cemetery to celebrate her life, energy and spirit. People found my mother outgoing, confident and warm, but I think that the depth of affection for her would surprise even Mom.
I think about her words of wisdom nearly every day:
"Nothing is better than a good marriage, nothing is worse than a bad one." "If you took the best qualities from some of my friends' husbands and put 'em into one man -- you'd still come up short." "Don't think small." "The only place where you start out on top is if you're digging a hole."
We miss you, Mom.