Serenity and kindness were traits that people realized about my mother fairly quickly when they met her. She worked hard to make those around her feel comfortable, and that started with us, her family. She was constantly observing the spiritual, emotional, and physical environment around her family and friends, her community, her country, and the world. She did what she could to offer advice, assistance, and prayers to try to improve things.

Mom was a scholar and a teacher, always reading, watching news, and searching for wisdom for herself and those around her. She always had a great quote from a book, a person, a song, a poem, or a scripture to offer for just about any situation.

She always used these quotes to get her points across. For example, when I was younger, and soul-searching for what I was going to do with my life, instead of telling me to focus, she quoted my Aunt Ginny, her sister: "John, you can do anything you want in this world, but you can't do everything." I always try to remember that.

Mom never judged people or things, including me in my early 20s, thank God, and cherished diversity so long as it was productive and positive. One of my favorite books that my Mom used to read to me when I was young was Green Eggs and Ham. I think it was one of her favorites too. Not only because of Dr. Seuss's great rhymes, but because it teaches us in a simple way to try to make informed opinions.

One of the situations that would always take Mom out of her usual character was when we were going to have guests come over. The day that guests were to arrive, Mom would turn into a military commander barking out orders for Dad, Dan and me for what we needed to do to get the house ready. I guess that all comes back to the point that she wanted her guests to feel comfortable, now that I look back on it.

More recently, she has gotten to see her grandkids grow. Ellie, Jordan, Gabe, Nathan, and Celia loved Grandma Connie. She could always tell when they were hungry and she would make them a snack, or when they were bored she would get them started on a project or a game. Dan and I and our families will still often come out to the Hotel Halloran in Beaumont and visit Grandpa. But it certainly won't be the same without my Mom. For starters, I am pretty sure we will be dining out most of the time instead of eating in. I guess we'll figure out the rest.

We love you Mom, and we'll miss you very much.