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Rememberances of Mother

Mom would remember special days in my life.On my birthday every year, as I was growing up, she would write a letter to me and always had a special something for me. She advised me to not let my dad know of the gifts. He would not have approved, since he had his religious convictions. On my birthday and on hers, Mom would take me to dinner, usually to Bill Knapps so we could get a free piece of pie or cake, as that was the tradition at that restaurant. Sometimes, we would go to the ice cream shop in Franklin Park Mall to get their birthday special. She never objected to the celebrating of birthdays. She even bought gifts for me to give to my friends for their birthdays. My mom also loved the Holiday Season in December. When my dad was at work we would drive around and wonder at all the lights. Mom loved to see the Christmas decorations. I often thought she missed the Christmases of her childhood. As a child I wondered if she truly believed as my father believed, but stayed in that religion so as not to make waves. I think this doubt was what ate away at me and made me decide not to follow in the religion of my father's choice. I believe that she saw that her children were able to make their own decisions and that none would choose what they truly did not believe. She would not have wanted it any other way.

This point was brought home to me shortly after her death. One night as I was writing in my journal I asked my mom to let me know that she was safe and in Heaven, as I believe. Shortly after that, I felt a warm hug. I felt arms wrapped around me and I heard my mother's voice telling me taht she was now with Pam, Russ, Tim and Clair. She told me that everything was okay and she is no longer in pain. I know that some of the family will be skeptical of this thought, that you may think I went off my rocker. However, this is the truth as I see it. I know that I will always have my mom in my heart and I know that when it is my time to go, I, too, have the hope of seeing her again, in a much better place. I will also have the opportunity of seeing other loved ones who have departed this earthly life.

Mom's gardens

Mom didn't just have flower gardens. Oh no, she had vegetables galore. I think she had a green thumb that stayed green. I couldn't grow a plant if my life depended on it. I remember going out and digging up an onion, washing it off and eating it right there. It was one ofthe sweetest onions ever. Mom grew just about every vegetable that you could imagine. Of course, with so many family members, we really needed to grow our own food.

Mom's Kitchen

Mom could make the best pies and cakes, too. She even made her own pie crust. So flakey and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The left over pie crust she'd make into little jelly turnovers for us kids to munch on.