Bart Anderson
I love this photo. It's a rare moment between two people who hate having their picture taken because they can't manufacture fake smiles. It was for a local paper in my mom's community, so it was important to her that I didn't mess it up. She was teasing me and insisting I smile and don't make my typical stupid smirk (apparently) and we had this lovely moment. More importantly, it captured the essence of what made her so warm and beautiful; that infectious laugh. It was one of my favorite joys in life; I could make my mom laugh. It was so rewarding.
I will miss her. She was easily the most unselfish person I ever met, and is largely responsible, genetically or by example, for whatever good may be in me.
She suffered for a year with pulmonary fibrosis, slowly losing the capacity to breathe. It's a horrible way to go, but life isn't fair. RIP mom, and thanks for the laughs. Their memories bring me joy.