Remembering my mom

My father was born on December 24, Christmas Eve. Though he's been gone for almost twenty years, I always think of him on that day rather than the day he died.

But for some reason, I tend to remember my mom on the date she died  — which is 11 years ago today — rather than on her birthday. I don't really know why that is, unless perhaps it is due to the fact that there was a disastrous October snowstorm in Buffalo and the cemetery had to be closed. A very Buffalo kind of experience. My mother and I were born in the same month — April — so possibly I am just fixated on my own day when that month rolls around. 

Last weekend I helped put together flowers for a memorial service for the mother of longtime friends, so I am definitely thinking about mothers at the moment. I wore some of my mother's jewelry to that event as a little personal memorial. 

My mother is the babe in the striped shirt in the back of the boat in this photo. Her sister-in-law, Shirley, is babe in front. What a knockout pair they must have been in those days as young marrieds!

Sisters and cousins, I think this may be the cottage in Canada that our grandparents had at one time. Anyone recognize it?

Comments

[Lisa at Greenbow]

What a fun photo. I hope it evokes fond memories of your Mom. She was a beauty.

[Barbara H.]

My sister and I were just talking about our mom this morning as we had our daily morning check in. It's always interesting for me to see pictures of my mom and aunts when they were young women. It's a side of them that is rather enlightening as to what their lives were like at those times. Yes, your mom and her sister-in-law were definitely babes!

[Peter/Outlaw]

A sweet image! Your mother was beautiful, just like her daughter. Happy remembering.

[Loree / danger garden]

Babes indeed! And what a fun photo.

[Gary]

Wow! I would swear that was Kate in the photo.

[Rae Kaiser]

Your photo reminds me of one of my Mom at that age. Also in a striped shirt. Thinking of our Moms is always bittersweet.

[Elizabeth]

I also lost my mother in October, 20 years ago. I revisited some pictures of her as a young woman this past Mother's Day. "The heart remembers most what it has loved best"!

Much peace (and joy) to you as you remember her today, Linda.

[Susie]

Sweet remembrance. Here's to happy memories of your beautiful mom.

[Bobbie Malone]

I just started embroidering one of my mother's large napkins as the first step in a project memorializing some of her more frequent remarks. She's never far from my mind, but it's lovely that we're both thinking of our moms at the same time. You're right! Your mom was quite the babe!

[Sue Brazill]

Beautiful ladies! I can't wait to show Shirley! Your mom was the sweetest person. I know She and Shirley enjoyed each other's company very much.