From the Mother of His Children

Some of you may have though it odd that being Wally's ex-wife I was so much in the picture during this difficult time. Wally and I spent 15 great years together and God blessed us with two wonderful and amazing kids. We were still friends even after our divorce. We shared all decisions concerning Kasey and Jamie; they knew if Mom said "No" so would Dad and visa versa. We knew that we would always share the needs and concerns for our kids no matter what our differences were. We were always family.

I remember we were at John Adams Jr. High at a "parent thing" and we ran into some of Wally's friends, he look at me and then at them, he did this several times, then in Wally's grinning way he said, "This is the Mother of my children." So we began referring to each other as the Mother and Father of our children instead of ex's. He never failed to call me on my birthday and we would see who would call first on our anniversary. (It was usually him).

He loved his kids with all his heart and was so proud of them. He hated to hear fathers say that they had to "baby-sit" their kids; he said, "You don't baby-sit your own kids, you are their Dad." And a "Dad" is what he was first and foremost. Kasey and Jamie always came first in his life. He was their ROCK. He will live in them forever.

I want to thank everyone who was at the hospital, brought food, shared memories and supported the Rose family. Wally would have been overwhelmed at the support and love that all his friends demonstrated. I know he would say "No, thank you for the ride!"

Don't cry because it's over----smile because it happened.

Becky