No matter how old I am I still need my Mom.

I miss my Mom. Every day. It's been just over 6 years since she passed away and I still have a hard time talking about her. Today I am going to try.

My Mom was one of the greatest people I have ever known. She was funny and suppportive and strong and caring. I look back and I remember how she made growing up fun. She taught me how to be adventurous. She taught me unconditional love and how to stay postive no matter what is thrown at you. She taught me how to try every day - even on the tough days - to make life fun for my son. I only wish she had lived to meet him. I know she would get such a kick out of the little guy.

Here are some of my favorite things about my Mom:

I remember the slumber party when my Mom came running into the living room and mooned all of my friends for no reason and then ran giggling down the hallway to her bedroom. We took chase and all mooned her back while she laughed uncontrollably while hiding under the covers on her bed.

I remember another slumber party where she bought rolls and rolls of toilet paper, helped us all get dressed in head to toe black, shoe polish our faces, take pictures for posterity and then sent us out at midnight to toilet paper one of my best friend's evil ex-boyfriend's houses.

I remember when my grandfather gave me a big, green, 1960-something Ford Fairlane with no power steering and no power brakes. I was completely unable to drive it so my 5'2" Mom traded cars with me. She could barely see over the steering wheel and still reach the pedals, but she used to race punk kids in sports cars because she knew that big old engine would blow them off the road. She would giggle and grin the entire time because they looked so shocked!

I remember when I was 16 and mouthing off for the 10-millionth time. Mom had a sack of bread in her hand and she got so ticked she hurled it at my head. I ducked. It hit the china hutch behind me. My jaw dropped and then she just cracked up. It was one of the last times my Mom and I had one of those stupid teenage stand-offs. After that we started to be friends.

I remember sitting on the front yard swing after she got sick making bead necklaces and talking about life and love and marriage.

I remember all the letters she used to write me just because she had a feeling I might need to be cheered up. I still don't know how she knew I needed her when I was living so far away, but she always did. She picked me up from the floor more times than she ever knew.

I'll never, ever forget the sound of her voice when she would leave her silly message on my voicemail. "Dees is yo Mama. Call yo Mama."

I remember sitting on her bed when I was little listening to her sing and play the guitar. She was the most beautiful, talented woman I ever saw. I sing because of her.

I remember watching her, front row center, at every dance recital, piano recital, twirling lesson, drill team performance, baseball game, beauty pageant that I was ever in. She was a constant supporter, always smiling, always making sure I knew she would be there no matter what I wanted to do. Or how well I did it.

I love you Mom. Thank you.

In September I am walking in the Susan G. Komen breast cancer 3-day in Seattle. I am walking 60-miles over the course of 3 days and I am walking every step of it for her. I hope that each person reading this will take a minute to click on this link and learn a little more about this incredible event. I need to raise a minimum of $2200 in order to walk and if any of you would be willing to donate whatever you can to help me I would be unbelieveably grateful.