I was one of nineteen grandchildren, but Mumsie always treated each and every grandchild as if you were the only person who mattered. She listened with open ears, offered her opinion and advice, she made you look at all sides of an argument, she encouraged you to set emotions aside before making a decision, but she never judged. At times her words were not what I wanted to hear, but in time I realized she had spoken only the truth. Mumsie prefaced each encounter with the words, “What happens at Mumsie’s stays at Mumsie’s.” Her home was a safe haven and we had so much fun at Mumsie’s sharing secrets that even our parents do not know and will never know. Mumsie taught me about living each day with unbridled exuberance and joy, about seizing the moment and following your heart. She taught me to appreciate the simple things and encouraged me to always have faith and to face adversity with optimism. “Don’t sweat the small stuff” was her creed and she offered sound advice saying, “Don’t worry about how dirty your room is, you can always close the door. What’s important is not how much money you have or having fancy clothes. Those things come and go, but what’s really important is honesty, the joy of friendship, exercising selflessness and, above all else, unwavering loyalty. No matter by what name you called her she was Mumsie. You are my-everything Mumsie: you lived your life to the fullest, treated everyone with respect and kindness, and loved with all your heart. In life, you were my second mother dedicated to my well-being. Now you are my guardian angel always there to walk by my side and whisper in my ear inspirations. I love you the mostest Mumsie … oodles and oodles. “Mumsie’s Blessing“ My way is I’ve decided my own to choose Follow your own Path Be true to your work, your word, and your friend To live life this way is to live your life blessed Your life’s way may not be an easy path Fortunes are different but fates are for each of us to change In my pain I am reminded that I am a woman The degree of my suffering I will not share My thoughts and prayers are for those I care Love me but don’t discount me I am strong, I am a woman Those who know what a woman is Know we suffer more pain and we give more of ourselves Just hold my hand I know I’ll be alright Remember it was my heart I had always stretched and I am at Peace I am truly thankful for … All I have loved and have shared in my life