Happy Mother's Day!!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

When our kid's were little, Mother's Day was my favorite holiday.  I got to sleep in on both Saturday and Sunday on Mother's Day weekend (see how I extended the one day to two) and when you had early bird kids, that was the only gift I wanted. It didn't stop there, though, because when I did get up, I was spoiled the rest of the day. We did have one year when around 5 p.m. my husband declared he was done and the day was over. I guess the pressure got to him.  I told him it was good to know that a person could declare a day over on a whim and I would keep that in mind for future reference.

Most of you know, my mom has a very good sense of humor. I really think this is one of my favorite traits about her. She will be 86 this month and talking to her on the phone is always a unique experience because you never know what she is going to say.  This month we have had several talks about portion control.  Apparently, the whole world has singled her out as the person to give the smallest portion to when serving up any type of food.  The Amish are now on her list, because of a recent "mystery ride" trip she went on to an Amish house where the dessert was apple pie.  She started the story by telling me she was so full from her lunch and watched in horror as the Amish started cutting enormous slices of pie and she had no idea how she would ever eat such a big piece...but then ended the story with, "wouldn't you know it, I got the smallest slice of anyone."

My dad was a traveling salesman and left the house on Monday and came home on Thursday or Friday each week, which meant my mom did everything for my sisters and me. You don't really understand what that means until you grow up and have kids of your own. She took in ironing to make extra money and I can remember her with a 7-up bottle with a sprinkler cap, wetting the clothes down to iron. She babysat, too.  My mom bakes great cookies and her pecan/cinnamon rolls are to die for.  I talk to her almost every day on the phone, and she is my greatest audience. She wasn't perfect, but she did her best and that is all we can hope for in a mom. If you have a story you would like to share about your mom, I would love to hear one. Happy Mother's Day to my mom and all the moms in the world.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Margaret, I bet your mother was very proud of you and I am so glad she lived long enough to see your graduate nursing school. I guess you never know what life has in store for you and it seems like your mother accepted what life dealt her with a good sense of humor and a whole lot of gumption.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Anna, what an interesting momento : )

[Camilla and Darwin]

Aw.... that is the sweetest cutest story ever. :-)

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Anna, What a sweet story. I like any and all bargain shoppers :) I really like your comment!!

[Anna and Achilles]

Laurie, you have no idea how much you helped me this morning, getting these stories in print very therapeutic!

So here goes, I have a box of tissues!

When my mom first fell July 08, she began to watch birds in the yard. She ended up with C-diff which made her very ill. She was home bound most of the time. She continued to be interested in the birds in the yard. She would get very excited when the very bright cardinal would come by. As her health declined for the next year she became an avid bird watcher. My brother put a bird feeder in a tree near the bay window in the back of the house and the love increased. As she got sicker and less mobile he added one right in front of the window.We also got her an encyclopedia of birds so she could look things up. My mom always got extra excited when the cardinal came around. It got to the point when anyone would find one in a store we would buy it for her. cardinal wind chimes, stained glass cardinals, ceramic cardinals etc.. She would look for them every day and it would make her day when she spotted one. 

A couple of months after my mom passed away, I was very upset about something and took the dog outside. On a bush near where I was standing with Achilles was a red cardinal. It didn't fly away. I went inside and didn't think much of it.This happened on 3 or 4 more occasions. COINCIDENCE??????

I STARTED TO THINK MORE OF IT.

Some background info- I had a very troubled relationship with my mom. We did have one connection, we always connected over my 3 boys. Especially Nolan.  I know you are not supposed to have favorites. However  Out of 11 grandchildren Nolan was hers.

Whenever Nolan did anything, I knew she would be so excited and we would have a great time talking about him and what he was doing. Towards the end of her life she knew he got the part he dreamed of and in her limited ability at the time, she was excited for him.

The day the play was opening I woke up early and just absolutely lost it knowing  I couldn't share it with her because she had passed away before the show. I hadn't thought about it until that day, that it was his first major thing in his life without her around. I couldn't tell her about it or show her pictures etc.... Needless to say I was a mess at 7:00 am. I could barely see I was so hysterical. I took Achilles out the back door.

 On the railing of my back steps was the cardinal. Just sitting there, not moving even though a big dog and a person was standing right there. I was in touching distance of this bird and it didn't move. I knew Nolan would do a great job at that moment. Anna

[Margaret & Pebbles]

Exactly Anna, very therapeutic, and I do have the tissues!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Anna what a beautiful story and sweet sentiment you have to remember your Mom by. I have a similar one about my DH and his father's passing. I will share it on Father's day if I remember.

Hugs from your sister from another mother :0)

[Anna and Achilles]

xo,xo

[Camilla and Darwin]

So touching.... Man this discussion is making me emotional...

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

OMD..Anna, your story is so touching. I have a friend who said almost the same thing about a cardinal. I do not think it was a coincidence and was your mom's way of telling you she is still there. Thank you for sharing that story.

[Bonnie and Kona]

My mother is the example of a servant's heart. She is the one who finds every "stray" in need... and I mean people not puppies. Everyone in need that crossed her path would be showered with her care and provision, the best she was able to give. 

She carefully loved my sister and I for the ways we were different. By building us up in ways we were gifted, we were able to focus on improving in those areas instead of competing in the same places. 

Mom is a great baker but not a great cook. When I visit I am always hoping for those amazing baked goods and I do the meal prep. It's a perfect balance. Making the perfect pie crust skipped a generation... my DD can do it, I can't. ;o)

Mom is a whiz on email and we exchange at least 4 or 5 each day... sometimes more. We are so grateful for the internet keeping us close over the 2000 mile distance.

My quiet, sweet and gentle mother can get the giggles until the tears flow and that is a delight to my heart. At 87, she continues to be my hero.

[Camilla and Darwin]

She sounds so amazing.