First of all, I want to thank everyone who had a hand in taking care of my Mom.... it’s hard to live far away and not be able to be around on a daily or even weekly basis. My Dad, Eliot, Esmeralda, Argelia, and all the doctors and nurses at UCSD were wonderful during these past two years. Their love, compassion, caring, and cheerfulness towards my Mom are deeply appreciated by me. I am continually amazed by the doctors and nurses who work with cancer patients...it takes a special kind of person to deal with cancer on a daily basis and to continually give hope to those fighting this disease. My Mom had a lot in common with my kids in that she loved humor on television. She watched all the latest shows and was really much more "current" on things then me. I thought because of that, that I would give you a Top 10 list of things my mom taught me: 1. Always wear sunscreen! Simple, direct, and to the point! She said it every time we were heading outside! 2. Less is more in emails and texts. She communicated in very few words but got the information or point across and always ended with Love, Mom. It was cute, funny, and yet very effective. a. “In Florida. Love, Mom." b. “Change your password. Love, Mom." c. “Did you know anyone at Boston Marathon? Love, Mom." d. “I’m in the hospital. Same floor. Love, Mom." 3. Love of baking and cake decorating. Growing up, I loved working with my Mom in the kitchen. We would bake for parties, Onegs, and Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. She was the cake decorator for the entire Jewish community. She made a special cake for every occasion. They were beautiful as well as delicious and she taught me each time we made something together. 4. How to throw a great party. My Mom and Dad threw a lot of parties for their friends as well as ones for the Physics Department at Purdue University. Everyone said that the parties they gave were the best and that her food and presentation were legendary. I loved listening to the talking and laughter from my room as I fell asleep. 5. How do “dance” with your children...not only literally dance (which we did to Mama Cass and Dionne Warwick) but to play and participate in activities with your children. a. Concerts. b. Skating. c. Library. d. Sledding. e. Making Costumes. f. …………… 6. How to be a strong woman – comfortable in all roles, especially as roles for women were changing in the 60's and 70's. a. She was a Mom, supportive wife who hosted Purdue students and threw faculty parties, and a fairly traditional wife in general b. She was ALSO a workingwoman, who held and expressed strong opinions (non-traditional). c. She was fearless and stood up for what she believed in. 7. She embraced change/technology and taught others how to use it and grow comfortable with it. She was the first one of us to understand what the internet was, and the first one to get an iphone, etc. 8. She showed through her example the importance of being a part of a Jewish community. a. Sisterhood president, Onegs/Support of other families during simchas as well as sadness, religious school teacher for 14 years. She didn't just drop us off, she went with us. 9. Involvement in community service. a. Jewish Federation. b. Poll worker at election times. c. Bringing joy to others through her paintings even while fighting cancer. She gave paintings to all the doctors, nurses, and other staff she knew at the Moore’s Cancer Center. d. She was willing to be a part of three clinical trials to further research on the treatment of leukemia. 10. She taught me that you need to make the effort for family and friends to be together and you need to cherish those times. Last night as I wrote what I was going to say, I was listening to music that we used to dance to around in our living room. So imagine me as a girl around 10 as we danced to these lyrics....they remind me of her. Mama Cass – “New World Coming” – 1969-1970 “There is a brand new morning, Rising clear and sweet and free. There’s a new day dawning, That belongs to you and me. Yes a new world’s coming, The one we’ve had visions of. Coming in peace, Coming in Joy, Coming in Love.” Thank you Mom for making me the person I am today. I love you and will miss you so much. Cheryl Tubis Brown