It's April 10th, my mom's birthday. If she were still alive, she'd be turning 70 today. Her name was Joanna. She's still here with me in many ways.

Here is a little montage, part one, in tribute to her. Two of my favorite Joanna-as-a-young-girl photos, and two report cards (from the 1940s, when she was in grade school). "Whispers too much"! How fun is that? I love it. She was full of mischief and was a great flirt, a beautiful woman in spite of her many earthly troubles, a "cool mom" and a fun gramma, and really my best friend. She died in June 2001 and was only 65 when she died.

We went through so much together and one thing I always knew is that I could be honest and myself with her. In fact, she had emotional x-ray vision with me, always knew what was really going on inside, even when I tried to be brave about something that was bothering me, she'd see right into me and address it.

She would be proud of where I am right now in my life.