This has been a very tough year - as you know my mother has been in and out of the hospital since January, this Sunday she passed away. Although I am sad I am also relieved - she had Alzheimer's and really hasn't been herself for a few years now, and this year her condition really deteriorated. She no longer spoke and she did not recognize any of her family. It has been very hard seeing her like that and I am happy that she is now at peace.