I know everybody knows I'm not much of a blogger but I'm so lost I don't know what to do with myself. Most of you didn't know my mom but she was a truly amazing person. Once she met someone they never forgot her and she was so loved and adored. She lost my father to a horrible crime when I was 3 and my brother was 1 but she was strong for us. Beyond smart, she put herself through school, earning her PHD while working and raising 2 small children. Her beliefs were strong as well and they cost her. She fought corruption in Detroit politics and couldn't get work in Detroit because of it. That didn't stop her, she got a job teaching at the University of Windsor which is right across the Detroit river and never complained about the commute to Canada everyday or the difference in her paycheck when Canadian money was worth less then American for so many years. She built an incredible career, winning a prestigious teacher of the year award and her students from over 35 years ago remain close. No matter how hard she worked and fought for the unions and women's rights, her family came first above all else. She took us to music lessons, dance class, sports and taught me so much. She made her children honor students and let us choose our own paths even when she disagreed with them. I was a headstrong, stubborn difficult teenager, leaving home at 16 and I can't even begin to imagine the worry and heartache I caused her. She was so proud of everything my brother, sister and myself accomplished. She was my biggest fan, coming to all my shows, even at the seedy punk clubs. She always encouraged me to take my shot and do the best I possibly could. I am the person I am today because of her, she was who I always aspired to be, smart, strong, cool and loving. We have always been a close family, no matter how far away I was or how busy, we never went more then a few days without talking, sometimes everyday. She was there no matter when or what I needed. When I moved back to Detroit 3 years ago to help her care for my 101 year old grandmother (a job she had been doing herself for many years without ever a complaint), I moved in with them and we have gotten so close and become such great friends in that time. She was the core of me, she was my constant and I truly don't know what I will do without her. She loved swimming and tennis and the Pistons. She was a voracious reader, a published author, an inspired teacher, a mentor to all. She did wood carving and wrote poetry. She, at age 76, took her year old grandaughter to swim class, her 4 year old grandaughter to ice skating lessons and got out on the ice with her. She went to all her grandkids games, even in the freezing cold. There is so much more but I can't even think, my heart is broken and my world is empty. I miss her more then I could ever have imagined. I just want everyone to know how awesome she was and will always be in my heart and soul. Thank you for reading this and for all your support and kindness. Love, nikki