I can’t believe that I let Mother’s Day come and go without singing the praises of my sweet Mama! But the truth is, I haven’t had my true mother around for quite awhile.

My Mom was nothing but loving, and I miss her! She’s been in the grip of dementia for years now. And it’s sad to see my once-beautiful, poetry-reading, and “Tora Lora Lora”-singing Mom in that state!

I did see her last Sunday when our girls came in to celebrate Mother’s Day. She didn’t wake up the whole time we were there. But she responded to my kisses, with a chuckle and a smile. So I made sure I did that more than once!

My Mom raised us with the beautiful language of poetry. And she is largely responsible for who I am today, of who we all are today. I have two sisters.

Mom didn’t have as easy as I do. She very bravely traveled from her small home town of Wooster, Ohio to big time Los Angeles, California, where she met my Dad.

Dad ended up being a college football coach before he joined the pros. My Dad was good-looking, and got a lot of attention because of what he did for a living.

He left Mom the year me and my twin sister were ready to go to high school. We all used to visit Ohio more than California, so we knew Mom’s family better than Dad’s.

I remember that Mom, who had been a “housewife” for all of my life, got a job with a family friend, Steve Stonebreaker, who was publishing Grid Week at that time. I know that must have been a hard transition for her, but she never let us down. She was a strong woman, so it’s particularly hard to see her like she is now.

I primarily bring this up to try to comfort those who are also losing loved ones in this way. We may miss the way they where, but they aren’t bothered by their plight, and that is truly a blessing. I also want to tell you that you don’t have to worry about becoming like they are. Just refuse to become like they are. You have the power to do that! You are strong!

Just don’t give in to worrying that you will become like them. You determine what you get in this life, so make it good!

And will you join me in extending your healthy, comfortable, and happy energy to those — like my poor sweetheart of a Mom — who are struggling as we speak.

Marcelle Hanemann is a news reporter for The Daily News. You can email her at marcelle.hanemann@bogalusadailynews.com or call her at 985-732-2565, ext. 301.