Lynn Thomas
Our beautiful Mother passed away just shy of her 93rd birthday. We were blessed to have a wonderful mother. I talked about Mom in class sometimes and my students were always impressed with her life story. Growing up during the depression – Her father's struggles to put food on the table for his children. My mom was determined to graduate from high school, she was the only one in her family to succeed. Mom moved to Washington DC to work for the FBI as a young woman. My students always wanted to know if she carried a gun! She did see FDR and met J Edgar Hoover. She eventually moved back to Decatur, Ill. where she met my dad at a rollerskating rink – I think his skills impressed her. Mom worked the whole time I was growing up. I sometimes resented this fact when I missed having her at one of my concerts or special events at school. But she worked so we could all have the little extras in our lives – and because she enjoyed being a successful, working woman. My mom had fun with her co workers – I am walking in her footsteps, or should I say dancing. Thank you Mom for being a great example for me as a mother, showing me how to care for others without judging and how to forgive because it's the right thing to do. Thank you for teaching me to stand up for what is right and to not be afraid to speak up for myself and for others. I love you Mom.