My mom was tough as nails, with a heart for all the four legged strays. A Benson & Hedges smoking, F-bomber with the best of them. An artist, voracious reader, rabid Cubs fan, outspoken, opinionated, green thumb, no power steering driving, music loving, fashion statement. Thursday morning bowling, interior designing, ice skate loving, Halloween hostess, over the top Christmas decorator, neighborly, Six Corners shopping enthusiast, complicated, hard headed, driven, whip cord strong country girl, with a city life that died so very young, gone so soon. 

And, she was my greatest teacher.