Sandra Gable

is honored with a Brick from Kelli Frazier and Sundi Heimerrman.

A Loving Mom

Sandra D. Gable was born October 17, 1946. In the 31 years that we have been lucky enough to have her as our mother, we feel even more grateful that she is our friend. Mom taught us all there is to know about love and friendship, strength and compassion. As a single mother of three children, she showed us what an amazing amount of love, patience and perseverance mean in a family where all you have is each other. Looking back at our youth, we remember times when there were choices between food and electricity, between school clothes and soccer shoes. We remember Mom walking us to school and then walking on downtown in Great Bend to her job at the bank because we couldn't afford a car. We remember picking our little brother up from the baby-sitter and being well into our chores by the time Mom got home from work.

Yet, we can never remember a time when we were truly unhappy. We can never remember a time that Mom wasn't doing everything she could for us, encouraging us to do whatever we wanted to do and always, without fail, loving us completely and unconditionally. Only as adults, out on our own, paying our own bills and taking care of our own children, did we come to fully appreciate what she gave up for us. And, only as adults can we appreciate that those early struggles made us who we are--confident, strong, happy and loving people who try to always see the best in others, help those less fortunate, and be grateful for who we are and what we've been able to become.

She taught us to be honest. To speak our mind. To stand up for what we believe in. To never stop trying to reach our stars. To be kind, ethical, strong, and respectful of the world around us. She taught us to love books and read to us constantly. She let us stay out late and trusted us not to abuse our freedom. She gave us just enough rope to learn to be responsible, but not enough to hang ourselves. Growing up, our house was often the place to be; small as it was, our friends were always welcome and they loved our Mom, too.

She is a very successful business professional, well-loved by all those she has ever worked with and even more appreciated for how she helped them to learn and advance. She is a fabulous grandmother who spoils her grandchildren unmercifully; in their eyes, she is the best. She is a great friend. No matter how pressing her own problems, she always has time to listen and help. She is a wonderful teacher, showing more by example than speeches.

She is always the best mother we could ask for; we still rely on her for advice, consolation and friendship. She is steel-willed, confident and loving, this person who brought us into the world and continues to be our guiding light.

For all the things she sacrificed so that we could go to cheerleading camp, or have a prom dress. For getting us through college and supporting us no matter what path we chose. For being there through all our disappointments and somehow making them seem less disappointing. For always saying--and believing--that "things have a way of happening the way they're supposed to." For not getting mad when we wrecked our cars or got bad grades. For wisdom, trust and experience. For her dedication, strength, patience and love, we honor our best friend and our mother.

Our greatest wish is that she lives out her life in constant happiness and that we always make her proud. And that we will be the kind of mothers she is for us. We love you very much, Mom!

July 16, 1998