"...Your mother and I have been unlikely friends. Very different and from very different places in life - but we found enormous support and love in each other. I'm not a formally religious person, but I love the gospels - I love that Jesus taught us that our primary duty is to love and help each other. Every time we reach out in love and to help someone who is not like us we show our love of Christ. Your mother lived this - no pretense, no notion that not being like her meant you aren't valuable. She gave so much of herself to help other people. And she loves all of her family intensely. She has always been happiest when her children and grandchildren have been happy. Every phone call - every minute of face time - every chance to spend time with your family - those are the things that she treasured. I know what it's like to have mental illness strain family relationships - even break them apart - it's been my honor to know Anita and see the concern and effort she made - and what she got back from each of you - to keep those family bonds - to love each other and help each other in the image of what Jesus would instruct us to do. I pray that God blesses all of you and gives you strength - and I know that Jesus is with Anita - she has his love and the love of her family and friends that will sustain her forever. May your family find peace in her love and the love of Jesus for each of you." (Email from Mark Rice, friend of mom(Anita))