If any one knew my mom, they knew she had great stories! Stories about her travels, her teachings, her parents and grandparents and their coffee growing farm in Titiribi, Antioquia! And being Colombian, she had a lot of trouble going through Customs everywhere she went. So she regaled us with all her intricate stories about that. However, as my friend Gary said yesterday, "she won't be having any trouble going through Customs today". I'm sure she didn't. Also, my mom was a teacher, kind and generous to a fault! And she loved her students and all my friends. My friends were always welcome in our home and she was famous for her brownies. Sometimes it seemed my friends came more to see her than me. And I remember vividly how she would feed us and at times (after High School) gave us scotch and talked to us for hours! She was also tough. Tough as nails. She would never give up, would never forget details (couldn't successfully lie to her because she would remember everything and catch you at it!!), was an avid reader of all kinds of literature. Her passion was history and could name the monarchies of Europe without fail. It was a pleasure to talk to her about European and Colombian history, of which she lived through quite a bit. Being so tough, my wife Lina said very astutely, that maybe God sent such a harsh stage 4 cancer to make her go home. She was probably being called by Him a few times but she was never "done" ; there was so much to be responsible for she was staying around. He finally summoned her home because Heaven needed another angel. Earth was OK now. And my mom was a dancer! She loved music; she loved to party. At her 90th birthday, she got up to dance to the music and stayed up late to enjoy "her" party! She leaves a huge hole in my heart but I know she did not suffer and that brings me peace. Knowing she's back with my dad, her brother, her parents, Alexa and Werner, and so many of her childhood friends makes me happy. Love you, mom!