I'll always love my momma'. I was blessed and privledged to be able to have a Mom that loved me unconditionally, that was there for me, and who always had my back. So many amazing things to be greatful for, like her cooking dinner for us almost every single night. Her taking us to school every morning, dealing with two cranky kids that did not want to get up and go so early in the morning, even making sure we had a good breakfast before she took us. Everything a GREAT mother could be known for, my Mom was, and more. I still hear her voice before bed every night, when she would tuck us in, tell us goodnight, and wait for me to say, " I love you with all my heart, soul and spirit. " She wouldn't leave the room until she heard me say those exact words, and then expect me and Domenic to blow her a kiss before she closed the door.

Going to the lakes with my mom and Uncle Henny was always awesome too. One of the fondest memories I have of that was one time my mom and Aunt Marcey was going to the bathroom in a portapotty, and Uncle Henny lifted the portapotty up while first my mom, then Aunt Marcey were in there. It was sooo goofy, and they were so angry, but I loved every second of it.

My mom loved putting smiles on peoples faces. She knew immediately when something was wrong and would come and tickle me or play loud music and try to dance with me. Even sometimes when we were driving she would blast her 90s dance music and make the car dance, I was embarrassed at the time, but now appreciate it so much more because she just wanted to get a smile out of me.

I got her really mad at me once, she took us to the South Philly Carnival one year, and me, Justin, and a buddy of mine went on the ferris wheel. It was dark, cold, and really windy out and there were TONS of people there. I look over and see Justin and my buddy spitting off the ferris wheel ( we were like 10 at the time). I knew I shouldn't do it, but it looked like they were having so much fun, so eventually I caved in and did it once. I managed to muster a strong amount of mucus and spat it out, in to the wind. The wind made it stretch in to a long, almost rope like substance. Out of the hundreds of people that were at the carnival and directly below us, my spit floated around and happened to land across Domenic's chest. Thinking back now, its hilarious, but at the time I immediately had the worst guilt. Seeing my spit expand in to a rope and then wrap around my little brothers chest was in my opinion immediate karma in that I didn't listen to one of my moms famous quotes, " Be a leader, not a follower." That guilt lasted about 45 seconds, and I decided to do it ONE more time. I figured, surely I won't hit Domenic again, that was just a fluke accident. So again, I muster a strong ball of spit, and once I get to the top of the ferris wheel I'll let it fly, and that's what I did. Except this time, it landed in my moms hair!! My God was she mad.

So now I'm sitting on a ferris wheel, looking down at my little brother crying because of the accidental spit on his chest, and my mom giving me the death stare, arms crossed, spit in her hair, just waiting for us to get off the ride.

I love my Mom with all my heart. She was the best. Her and Nan were the strongest female figures in my life, and will be forever. What I would give to be able to hear them bicker at each other some more. What I would give to be forced to go shopping with them, or walk with them to broad street to buy candles and other nonsense at the dollar store. What I would give to hear Mom yell at Brodi to stop trying to get on top of Rocky, or Nan to tell Rocky, " I'll GET THE CAN!"

Seeing my Mom and Dad together, no matter the circumstances, made me the happiest. We were a family, that feeling never goes away. Seeing my parents together made my heart feel like a completed puzzle. It just felt right. It gave me hope, strength, and the courage to make the most out of my life. I know that my mom will forever be here now. For the rest of my life I'm going to do my best to make her proud, she deserves that.

I'll Always Love My Momma'