Tough As Nails

 On this day nine years ago one of the toughest women to ever walk the earth passed away and for those who had the honor to be loved by her it was a day of great sorrow.
Charlene Anne Fore had an unusual perspective on life. She literally lived one day at a time and thanked her God everyday for each one she was given.
Early in her marriage her husband was in a terrible car accident that broke his neck. He was paralyzed from the neck down and doctors told them he would never get out of bed again. They had a toddler and an infant to provide for and take care of, so this was unacceptable to either of them. With persistence and determination she worked closely with his doctors and therapists and eventually he regained the use of his upper body. For years she helped her husband at home everyday with his exercises so he wouldn’t lose progress.
 A few years later her sister for whatever reason could no longer care for all of her children so this tough as nails women helped her. She took her seven-year-old niece into her home and raised her as if she were her own. She also cared for many other family members from time to time over those years. Welcoming them into her home if they needed a place to sleep or take refuge. If one of her children’s friends needed help to escape a bad situation or just hide out until they sobered up she was there to help. When the other mothers in her neighborhood had to leave their homes to go to work she cared for their children also. When I say she cared for all of these people I mean it in everyway. She fed them, clothed them, taught them and loved them. The first time I read about Mother Theresa, I knew she must have inherited some of Mother Theresa’s gifts. The unconditional love she gave was endless and I could never fully explain or illustrate it for you. Even in her death she helped eleven total strangers improve the quality of their lives by being an organ donor.
 Char had a smile that could light up a room and a temper that could clear one. She was ridiculously kooky, annoyingly eclectic and simply beautiful. Her sudden death shocked many people, devastated some and totally wrecked a few. When she died it made this world a less caring place and it never even made the news. Rest in peace Nana Aunt Char Mom, I miss you everyday.