Last Thursday marked the two-year anniversary of my wife's mother's death.  Linda was just 57 years old.

Linda was very kind and considerate person.  I look back fondly on the time I spent with her and feel privileged to have known her as a person.  I jokingly referred to her as Mom #2.

Linda was an alcoholic and struggled with her addiction throughout my wife's life.  She went in and out of dry spells and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

Her personality changed drastically when she was drinking.  It was especially painful to see such a wonderful person be so affected by a horrible affliction.

Alcohol is what killed her.  Linda had reached up to grab her mail and apparently fallen.  During the fall she hit and damaged her liver.  Her liver was unable to repair itself because of the years of damage from alcohol.

She didn't realize until it was too late that something was terribly wrong.  She called 911 and an emergency crew broke down her door and rushed her to the hospital.  She was pronounced dead at the hospital.

That happened on November 6, 2006.  November 6 is a day my wife and I will never forget.

I was and still am very affected by her death.  I miss Linda all the time.  She meant the world to my wife.

Linda was a wonderful person and I will always remember her for the love and compassion she brought into this world.  It's true that she was an alcoholic but that doesn't define her as a person.

Linda: the world misses you but I hope you are finally resting in peace.  You would be extremely proud of your daughter.  I am.