Mom

It was 30 years ago that my Mom slipped the bonds of this earth for much greener pastures. By that time, however, she had given me 36 years of example, instruction, and love that live on to this day.

Well done, Mom. Thank you.

Thanks, Mom

My Mom, it should go without saying, will forever have that very special place in my heart. Cancer took her long ago; she left us in 1983 when I was just 35 years old, while she was only 64...much too early for either of us.

So, when I see something like the video below, dedicated to Moms everywhere, it strikes a special heart string.  The string that only Mom can affect.

Now, I must say to you Dads, don't get all discombobulated over this. Remember, this program is sponsored by Proctor and Gamble. You know, the Bounce, Pampers, Tide and Bounty people, to name but a few. Make sense?

Athletes, like the ones that will make the Summer Games in London this year, are a very special, dedicated, hard-working and gifted group. Most often though, there exists a special someone who has pushed, prodded, encouraged, driven and accompanied them along that long journey.

Of Mom and Memories

Oh, Christmas time, Christmas time.

My mother loved Christmas. She had many ways of making it so very special and memorable. Tonight, while eating dinner, we had Christmas favorites playing in the background and it just hit me. Choke time. From Oh Come All Ye Faithful to Silent Night, the songs took me back to those wonder- and joy-filled Christmases past that Mom made so very special.

She left us 28 years ago, but the music can bring her right back next to my side in an instant. She's smiling right now; Mom loved Christmas and everything about it.

Thank God for mothers, and thank God for His gift on that first Christmas.

Mom holding me in 1948. She's still making me smile.

The Red Picnic Table

My Mom was a wonderful lady and I love and miss her dearly. She's been gone for close to 30 years now, but the memories and the things learned at her knee will be with me forever.

Now, understand that my Dad was a stern and stubborn individual at times. A trait he picked up from his father, honed by his time in the U.S. Army as a First Sergeant, and polished as a plant manager for a large corporation. However, when Mom set her mind on something one may as well lift their hands in surrender—and that included Dad.

Our duplex unit in Kramer Homes had a kitchen/dining area that must have been all of 12' x 12'...pretty darn small, especially by today's average home standards. When I was in my early teens, Mom decided she wanted a genuine wooden picnic table as our dining table. I have no idea where this idea came from, but once Mom set her mind to something a speeding locomotive had no chance of going against her.

Oh, she and Dad discussed the table and I can still recall him saying (rather emphatically) "I will NOT put a picnic table in this house!" Well, guess what? The table was sitting in that kitchen within 24 hours! Mom picked it up and got it home strapped somehow in the trunk of her car. Then she had me and a couple friends carry it into the house (Dad was right; HE didn't have to put it into the house!).

Shortly thereafter, Mom painted the table a bright red and you know what? It looked pretty doggone Better Homes and Gardens-ish sitting there in our kitchen! I'm not sure that Dad would agree with that assessment, but he knew when to give up and give in.

A Beautiful Mother-Daughter Pose

I've always loved this photo. I'm not sure if it's the similarity between sister Judy and Mom, the two blond hairdos, the fact that it was probably taken to send to Dad when he was in the South Pacific during WWII, the setting in front of a Christmas tree, or what. Whatever it is, this photo is one for the ages and will always be one of my personal favorites.

I assume this would have been taken around 1944 when Dad was away (Judy...help me out here!) fighting for our freedom against our Japanese opponents. Had it been after 1947, my cute likeness would have been included, of course!

There are certain things in this life—an aroma, a taste, a  piece of music, or a photo—that can bring back sweet memories in an instant. Things of such a nature that remind me of Mom are near and dear to my heart. She was a unique, life-loving, people-pleasing and extremely special lady; you would have liked her.

Life Casual

I'm at work as I write this. It's early morning, only one other employee here so far. Still, here I sit wearing jeans and a pullover sweater-thingy with a camo design! Talk about "grunge casual" dress!

My how times have changed. These days, folks seldom "dress" like they did in years gone by. Today, whether at an upscale restaurant or in church on Sunday morning...casual rules. It wasn't always that way in the world. I'm not sure what my mother, her sister, and her brother-in-law were doing or where they were headed when the photo, below, was taken, but those folks are dressed!

l - r:  my Aunt Mary, Uncle John and Mom, probably in the early 1940s. 

I cannot remember the last time I wore a necktie. I cannot remember when I last wore a sport coat, much less a suit. There was a time, back in the late 1970s that I wore a tie to work every day...every single day! So this begs the question:  were those "the good old days"?

This photo of Mom and Dad could have been taken after someone's funeral, or on Easter Sunday, or on their way to someone's wedding, but I doubt it. I'll bet this was just a beautiful Sunday morning after attending church.

Dad and Mom standing outside my bedroom window
at our place in Kramer Homes. I'd guess 1958 or so. 

Once in a great while, it can be fun to get all dressed up and do something special. Of course, then you're wondering if your tie is straight, if your cuffs are showing below the sleeves of your jacket just so, or if the shine is still on those shoes.

But for me, especially at this point in my life, I'm very content with a dress code of Life Casual.

February 10th

Yesterday, a friend and work associate lost his father.

Yesterday...February 10th. 

My mother passed away February 10, 1983.

My father passed away February 10, 2008—25 years to the day after we lost Mom.

I don't claim to be intelligent enough to understand what all this means; strange coincidences to be sure. I am smart enough to know that I'll pay very close attention to that date if I'm suffering from a serious illness.

Mom, Dad and Peter...rest in peace.

Bald In...Bald Out

Interesting, is it not, that in a number of ways we seem to make a great circle through our lives. For instance, these two photos of me at the ripe old age of 6 months or so show a very definite lack of natural head covering.

Mom and I sharing a laugh.

My sister, Judy, and me.

What a cue ball, eh? Well, I've gone full circle now, sporting no more hair than I did 60+ years ago. At least I do have much more of a beard than I did back then!

Grandson Jack and Grandpa a couple years back.

Final thought: I notice I'm wearing diapers in those topmost photos; thankfully that circle hasn't yet completed!