May 14, 2000 Dear Mom, Mom, you are very special to me. I don’t know if I can express in words how I truly feel about you. You have evolved from the role of mother to that of a best friend. You have always been there for me . . . from the time I was a tiny tot to my mid-life crises years. You have listened to my tales of woe with a sympathetic ear and shared my joys with enthusiasm and love. You are my confidant, best friend, shopping partner, master chef, travel companion, gambling buddy . . . most of all, my MOTHER! You have always given me unconditional love, never any strings attached. For all these qualities you are loved with all my heart. Your daughter, Monica