Hi, Dr. Laura --

My beloved mother-in-law, Elinor (84), passed away unexpectedly on February 23, just 5 1/2 weeks after diagnosis of acute leukemia. Her final days remained packed with focus on her family, all of whom gathered around her to celebrate her life and legacy, to pay her tribute while she was still here to hear it. She was a phenomenal role model in so many ways, and especially as she faced death. Her faith, commitment, and giving spirit continue to be an inspiration even now. No typical mother-in-law jokes to be had in THIS household!

For a number of our 34 years of marriage, I would send her a bouquet of flowers on my husband's birthday to thank her for having him.  Her son is decidedly a blessing to me, our family, our church, his employer, our community, our country, this world, and I am most definitely committed to continuing to be my husband's girlfriend!

My mother-in-law made a similar impact with her life and her choice to be a stay-at-home-mom.  She left behind a retired-military husband, children and their spouses, grandchildren and their spouses, and 3 great-grandchildren to follow in her path and will be an honor to do so in tribute to her memory.

My husband never did tire of being called her firstborn kid, considering that she gave him respect by treating him like the independent adult she and his dad had raised him to be.

Thank you, Dr. Laura, for all you are and all you do.  We regularly send your books as gifts to our siblings and their spouses, our 35 nieces/nephews, plus our 13 (soon to be 14) grandnieces/grandnephews. Now that they won't have Jim's mom's common-sense guidance at hand, your no-nonsense approach is even more vital.

With much love, thoughts, and prayers,

Ramona