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     There is something magical about my mother-in-law Nancy Hogue. It's an odd way to describe someone, but for me "magic" is the word that comes to mind whenever I think of her. Like most people I was nervous when I met my husbands' parents, but within seconds of our introduction she wrapped me in a bear hug that felt like home. I didn't know it then but shortly after that introduction my family would lose our matriarch, my grandmother.

Nearly swallowed in the pain of her loss, my immediate family and I didn't really know how to cope with her death. All of us could talk to eachother, but it always ended up with one or all of us crying because we were all missing the same woman. It was around this time that I turned to Nancy. She shared stories of the special relationship she had with her own grandmother as well as talked me up from the ground on days the pain had flattened me. My own mother squeezed Nancy's hand one time and thanked her for being there for me when I wasn't capable of letting anyone else in.

One of the things I appreciate most about this woman is the way she offers advice to me. If I ever have a problem she never says "Well, this is what you need to do." Instead she gives me an anecdote about what she did in a similar situation (and there is always a similar situation) and how it worked out for her. If her method worked for a particular issue, I try it out and it almost always works for me. The times she tried something that didn't work she will say "Here is what I wished I had done." Essentially with every conversation I learn from her mistakes and successes. Of course, like my own mom she is there whether I screw things up or not, loving me just the same.

    I admire her more than she will ever know and only hope that one day my future children and spouses feel the same way about me.

Nancy Hogue lives in Tehachapi with her husband Bob.They raised three awesome kids who are all happily married.The Hogues also have three grandchildren who they spoil rotten.