One of my oldest friends is Mark David Travis. Last night, he sent me some wonderful thoughts about my mom. I would like to share them:
Gaby was fiercely loyal to you and your sister Barbara, and I always felt comforted in her presence when she hosted our college-buddy get-togethers and simply enjoyed being mom to the closest friend and confidante I’ve had in life.
Throughout her many years, she preserved a safe, nurturing, place in her heart and home for you, and her love was never conditioned on personal achievement or what you and Barb could remunerate to her in this temporal realm. Her kindness and easy-going nature helped fill our lives with a deep appreciation for loving parents and the many thoughtful acts, large and small, they did on our behalf from day to day.
Gaby welcomed your friends at all hours of the day and night, related to everyone without pretense, and gave of herself and her breadbasket while never calculating how personal gain might profit from the encounter. She always maintained an optimistic, can-do attitude and friendly demeanor, and her strong-willed constitution never gave evidence of emotional despair, depression, anger, confusion or anxiety—common ailments of the spirit of our times that afflict so many in our dysfunctional society.
Somehow, Gaby’s compassion and love for you even made me, though a visitor, feel more loved and appreciated in her presence, as I’d reflect on your mother’s affection and friendship while enjoying her generosity, warmth, empathy and hospitality as an honored guest in her home. She treated everyone respectfully, always put people at ease and enjoyed the company of your friends whenever you, Jim Walker, me and other friendlies showed up to watch videos in multi-hour marathons, and immerse ourselves in sci-fi culture that dominated our lives during our college and early post-graduate days.
Her determination was a powerful testimony to Gaby’s enduring and tender-hearted devotion to—and adoration for—her highly intelligent, wonderfully articulate and equally loving and devoted son.
Gaby never gave up on you, even when you might have been inclined on that rare occasion to give up on yourself. You are an immensely blessed and lucky man to have had Gaby as your mother, and my life was enriched to have been a bystander along her remarkable journey.