My cousin Mark wrote this a few days ago and it was so moving that I had to post it here for more people to be able to read. If you grew up listening to Michael Jackson, then this will definitely touch you. Enjoy.

________________________________________________________________________

Part of the wonder of being a child is marveling at the BIGNESS of all the things around you.

At one point, I thought my mother was the tallest woman ever. I was in awe of her. I never felt more like her child than I did when in wonder at her ability. She could heal a wound by kissing it. She could make Christmas presents materialize magically from thin air.

The taller I grew, the less she seemed like the unstoppable force who wielded a fearsome 4-inch-wide, 28-inch-long leather belt with a decorative buckle. Eventually, I towered over her in height. In enough years, I realized that my mother didn't shrink at all. She had been about 5' 6" the whole time.

The more my eyes opened, the more I perceived that despite her impeccable integrity, even she had little foibles and peculiarities to contend with. The more aware I became of my mother's humanity and fallibility, the more she seemed less like a superhero.... click to read the entire piece