I NEEDED this gratitude series.  I had to have a way to keep my head above water.  And when I think of keeping my head above water, I think of my mama.  In case you cannot tell, we are very close.  Even though I am not her favorite kid, I know she loves me…lol.  I usually shout my love for her from the rooftops on her birthday.  This year we were attending Aunt Linda’s wake on ma’s actual birthday.  I did not have it in me to write.  I was just trying to survive.  And I was also attempting to shove birthday cake down my ma’s throat, but she was…