A Mother's Day Letter To Lucille Middleton

(Note: this letter was supposed to run on Patch for Mother's Day - but we mistakenly did not post it. The letter is still great even a few days late.)

Dear Lucille Middleton,

I am so grateful to be your daughter in law. You are extraordinary! I admire you for so many reasons.
You raised two fine men alone when there wasn’t help for divorced moms. You worked multiple jobs
because women weren’t allowed in the mining jobs that paid well. You waded into the river to gather
coal that washed down from the mines to burn for winter heat. You’re an excellent homemaker.
You told your son he was in love with me before we met. Who does that? Your first words to me
were, “Welcome to the family, honey”. You threw your arms and your heart open to me and they’ve
stayed that way ever since. You can’t imagine what that means to me. I know how lucky I am to have
you!

You manufacture unconditional love 24/7. You have laughed with me, cried with me, had fun together
and helped me think problems through. You inspire me by finding something to be grateful about
every day. You are the heart of our extended family.

Your grandkids are lucky, too. You lavish love on them, never judge, and, when they ask for advice, you
speak the truth they need to hear. You keep confidences. When my friends’ kids’ started getting
married, some of them were worried about becoming a mother in law. I told them, call mine. She
knows how it’s done!

You never met a stranger. You are the life of every party. Doug’s friends had so much fun with you
hosting the moving party! He’s proud to have such a cool mom. You think young. You are always up for
a new experience. Your use technology to keep in touch. You started teaching “Cooking with Lucille”
classes last year. You have nerves of steel when needed. Like that time you outran a state trooper!So, thanks for being you, Lucille! I love you!

Your daughter,
Norma