Jo Anne, my mother-in-law of forty-four years would not have wanted me to do this. But I’m going to anyway. For me.
About six weeks ago we didn’t know if she would make it to Christmas. Now it would appear she won’t. But where she’s going is a place pretty glorious. She’s going home… to Indiana and beyond.
Wife of a career U.S. Air Force bird Colonel. Mother of three. Grandmother of three. Great grandmother of four. Friend of many. An incurable dog lover. A world class cook. Traveler of the world. Antique guru. A young woman from Indiana. But most importantly… someone who always looked for the best in others.
A mother who would do anything for her three children or her three grandchildren or four great grandchildren.
A woman who will leave behind a legacy of life long friends from the Air Force as she and her late husband Richard were integral members of the U.S Air Force during the glory years of SAC (Strategic Air Command) during the era of the Soviet Union being America’s No. 1 adversary.
Obviously…this makes me sad. But at the same time she won’t be struggling any more. She’s going to a better place for certain.
It took me a awhile to assimilate being married into an Air Force family. But as I look back now I wouldn’t trade any of the memories.
The fact of the matter is I never would have even met my wife if her father hadn’t been stationed at Tinker Air Force Base her senior year of high school. Life can be funny that way. It can.
Anyway…this song is for Jo.
Love, Mike