My mother-in-law (ex) passed away this last weekend.  I haven’t seen her in several years, but I’ve always held her dear in a little place in my heart.   I was sorry to hear she’d been ill these few months and wish I could have sent her a card or two and many good thoughts.

A few random fond memories here---though in no way could they paint a complete picture---for me to say goodbye.

*A huge pan of paella at her condo one Saturday lunch.  This is an Italian family that loves and appreciates good food.

*One topic of young, married friends was in-law horror stories and frustrations.  I never had anything to contribute---Rose was a wonderful mother-in-law, as were the rest of my in-laws.  I was extremely fortunate.

*What we lovingly termed her “drive bys,” where she would knock on the door, hand us a package of (insert food item here) and run back to her still-running car.  She was always welcome, and we’d always invite her in, but she rarely stayed.  We teased that one of us could stand in the yard and catch the package as she tossed it out of the car driving by…

*She liked my cocker-beagle, Scooter, though she wasn’t really a pet person.

*Stephanie, her only granddaughter, calling her “Grammy.”

*I was nervous about meeting this strong matriarch of Rich’s family.  He had taken me to New York City on a “mystery date,” where we saw the sights and picked up a few touristy souvenirs, not the least of which was a green foam Statue of Liberty crown.   I arrived at my first Valenti family get-together on July 4^th.  Rose greeted me at the door with a big smile, wearing the crown.  I knew this was going to be okay.

Thoughts and prayers for the family.