This is a picture of my mother, ''Clara'' with my brothers, Jerry and Danny. My sister Jean and I are not in the picture because we were not with my mother. My brothers, Gary and Troy had not been born yet. I've told the story before of how my dad left my mom and brought Jean, Jerry and me from our home in VA to his mom's, "my grandmother" Molly Moore's. Grandmother Moore could not handle Jerry so she sent him back to Mom's. And so, in this picture of Mom, Jerry and Danny, as they say grace, you can almost feel the emptiness. Since I was not raised by my Mom, we really never had that Mother daughter relationship, Although I dreamed many, many nights of walking to her on the road to Va. As I dreamed these dreams I was too young to know where or for that matter what VA was. All I remember is that I missed my mom.
Even though my Mom and I never had a close relationship, since her death I seem to feel her around me. especially when I'm in one of my lease favorite moods of almost giving up. I know many nights when I lay in bed so sick from chemo, I can feel a soft gentle hand stroke my forehead. I know in my heart it's my mother.
I believe with all my heart, and with all my being that life doesn't end to those that love the Lord Jesus Christ. I believe that every once in a while God sends love ones to comfort us in our most trying times. I'd like to thank the Lord for all His many blessings on me, so very, very many.
So here on mother's day I mourn the lost of my mom both in life and in death. But I have joy in knowing that some day we will once again be together. You see, love never dies, and I will have that relationship in the life to come.
I'd like to wish all the mother's out there a very happy mother's day. I wish you all, love and happiness. May God bless and hold each of your children in His loving care. And most of all may all mother's children find Jesus Christ and be saved. The greatest gift of all for a Christian mother is to know that their children's eternal life is secure in Christ.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY
Until next time, Willard and I wish you health and happiness. God bless and God save.

Clara Autry, Moore, Koonce

Rest in peace Mom, I love you.