April Fool's Day

   I woke up missing my mom today. I guess on some level, I always miss her, but I miss her the most when I think of funny times I had with her when I was growing up. She was just so cute and easy to make laugh. There was always this easy spirit inside my mom that made her a good friend, and someone you wanted to be around. AND, she was super easy to prank on April Fool's Day!

   I know my sister will remember how we used to wrap a rubber band around the retractable hose on the kitchen sink so that when someone turned on the water, it would squirt them right in the chest. That was sort of our signature joke on April 1 every year, and it was always my mom that got the first blast. She would let out the little yelp of surprise every time, and then turn around to see my sister and me, stifling our giggles behind the palms of our hands. I miss how she looked, all wet in the chest, with a giggle of her own building behind her attempted look of dismay. She was a really great mom, for so many reasons, but mostly because in every situation, I knew she loved me. And even now, I know she loves me, and I can't explain how much that helps me live my life. 

    Well, Happy April Fool's Day, Mom! I miss you... (and I secretly hope that Grandpa Ullrich has wrapped a rubber band around the celestial retractable hose on the kitchen sink in your section of God's mansion so you can remember how much we all loved to laugh with you!)