Nine months ago, I lost my father; one month ago, I lost a half-brother; and now, my mother has passed on. Another funeral and expenses have added up, especially since I'm doing this from another state and trying to lay her to rest back home in New Mexico.

My mother, Rose Benally Smallcanyon passed away on Feb 6th in Grants,NM.

My mother was a teacher in several schools throughout New Mexico on and off the Navajo reservation. She lived her life the way she wanted. She raised three children all by herself and tried to make the best of any situation. She was a proud Navajo woman from the rez.

No matter what, she will always be my mother, whom I will always love. She'll be laid to rest at a family plot in Lutpon, AZ on March 1st.