Mom loved her family...that was number one. She talked often of growing up with her parents and siblings with joy and laughter. I am sure that was not an easy time to grow up but she had wonderful memories. It seems to me she was born to be a mother. She took that responsibility so seriously. She worked so hard at it. And to be a mother takes a lot of hard work. It was a great childhood for us...we were so lucky to have her at home caring for us. Our mother was a strong woman, in body and in character. I remember her strength in caring for the three of us so close in age when we were young. She used to say, “Lord, Give me Strength.” You knew this was not a great sign. This was not an easy group but her love for us was strong and she protected us in every way she could. Her physical strength always amazed me whether she was working in the kitchen, yard or helping Dad carry furniture. She was always able to pry us kids apart when we were fighting...that is if she wanted to. We would run to her for protection from the others and her strength could always be relied upon. I don’t mean just when we were little...then too ...but even as adults. Laughter was our reward growing up. Scott remembers hiding in the basement and scaring mom in the dark. He could scare her alright but then she would laugh. You wanted to hear the stories, you wanted to be part of the laughter. This laughter she shared with her siblings and friends as well. Sitting around the table drinking coffee and swapping stories seemed to be an Avery tradition. Imagine mom and Karen standing on chairs in the kitchen to get away from “Mickey” the mouse. Or Arlen coming home to their house in Moose Jaw and seeing a woman with green hair ...he had to go back out and check the house number to see if he had the right place. Yup! It was mom the hair model. Was green fashionable then? Can you picture her face when she called 911 by mistake in Moose Jaw and the police had to come and look though the condo to make sure she was alright. I like to think of the time Carol got her on a scooter at Costco. She did love to drive but I am not sure that was what she had in mind. Laughing until you cried. What a great reward. How lucky we were, to call her mom.