Helping pay the bills
When we needed help, you helped. Quietly, generously, without making it a thing.
A Letter, Pressed Between Pages
For Kay
With all our love — on Mother’s Day
MAY · 2026
Chapter One · Kona, Hawai'i
The week the ocean held us
YoutookourwholefamilytoKona.
The Westin Hapuna Beach — Angela and me, Auryn, Ariel, all four of us standing at the edge of the Pacific.
An island, a beach, a week we will never forget — because of you (and Dad :)).
tap any photo to enlarge
Chapter Two · A Set of Keys
Black Yukon Denali XL
You helped us into a 2022 Yukon Denali XL.
In black. Big enough for the whole family — the suitcases, the carseat, the road ahead.
Every time we pull out of the driveway, that vehicle carries your name with us. Thank you, Mom.
tap the photo to enlarge
Chapter Three · McCall, Idaho
On the shore of Payette Lake
You take us to McCall — the cabin on Payette Lake, the family pulled together under one roof again.
Vacations, parties, get-togethers. You organize them, plan them, gather us — and we remember them for years.
tap any photo to enlarge
Chapter Four · The Quiet Things
The kindnesses we never forget
Some gifts arrive in boxes. Most of yours arrive as relief, on a Tuesday, when no one was supposed to know we needed them.
Loans, when we needed them
You trusted us with them, and that trust meant as much as the money did.
Organizing the parties
The gatherings happen because you make them happen. Year after year.
Decorating for birthdays
Streamers, tablescapes, every detail — you turn rooms into memories the kids never forget.
Bringing vegan food to events
You always make sure there’s something for us. Thoughtful, every single time.
Planning the vacations & trips
Hawai’i, McCall, and everywhere in between — the planning is always you.
All the gifts
Big ones, small ones, every occasion — you give and give and give.
Years of love and support
Through everything, every season, you have shown up for us.
Chapter Five · Four Hearts
The family you made possible
Look at the people standing in your circle. None of us would be exactly here without you.
Auryn — your 12-year-old grandson
who lights up every time Grandma walks through the door.
Ariel — your 5-year-old granddaughter
who folds her arms around your neck like she invented the hug.
Angela — my wife, your daughter-in-law
who loves you and is grateful for everything you do for our family.
Matt — your son
who keeps trying to find the words. This card is the closest I’ve come.
Chapter Six · In Their Own Words
We asked the kids about Grandma KK
Their favorite things, in their own voices.
All her surprises, the gifts, and the houses she shows us — McCall, Grandma's house, the hotels on vacations.
I'm really grateful for the computer parts she got me. And I love going on drives, just the two of us.
Out of the mouths of two grandkids who adore you.
A handwritten note
Mom,
There isn’t a clean way to say what you mean to us, so this card will try.
You took our family to Kona. You helped us into the Denali. You’ve helped us pay bills, given us loans, and showed up for us in ways most people only dream about.
You plan the vacations. You organize the parties. You turn ordinary weekends into McCall, Idaho memories.
Angela sees it. Auryn and Ariel feel it. I am the luckiest son to call you Mom.
You are not just our mother and grandmother — you are the heart of this family.
We love you. We thank you. We cherish you, today and every day.
All our love —
Matt, Angela, Auryn & Ariel
Mother’s Day · 2026
Happy Mother’s Day,
our beautiful Kay.
Forever in our hearts. The best mom. The best grandma. Irreplaceable.
Made by hand, for one person in particular.