My Mom was so cool.
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Christmas ’89 or ’90? |
Of the many things I loved about her, ranked rather highly was her creativity.
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her brushes |
Before pinterest and the DIY-craze, there was my Mom, researching, finding ideas, creating actual folders filled with DIY ideas — ripped from magazines. From making a flower trellis to creating organic coat stands out of logs that she found, to making soap, she re-used and up-cycled before it was cool.
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2005 |
And with relatively modest means, she could make a house a home.
Years ago – I believe I was in junior high or high school – she made a “Happy Room”. (Her words, not mine.) She ripped up the carpet and painted the floor. She found an old chalkboard — before everyone was finding old chalkboards — and she placed it on the wall. She filled the room with all of the things that made her, well… happy: random frames that she loved, color, rugs, pillows, painted furniture, books… And it wasn’t a mess, but instead it was a well-used, well-orchestrated, welcoming, light and airy space.
It was so her.
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1994? 1995? The early days of the happy room, before it got even happier. |
We played many-a-game of scrabble in that room.
I did my homework in that room.
I came home from college and we sat in that room.
We had meals in that room.
We sat together on the little love seat, toe-to-toe, covered in a blanket, reading our respective books.
Still today I remember the way sun would beam through the windows on a cold snowy day… I remember the warmth of that place.
It’s those memories that I wrap myself in on days like this.
She was funny. And cute. And intelligent. And kind.
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1999 |
Happy Birthday, Mom.
You made this world, your space, your circle, your daughters better because you were here.
I loved you for uniqueness, your wackiness, your creativity, your ferocity, your resilience and your strength… and most importantly:
your ability to see beauty and potential in everything and everyone.
I am so glad you were born, Mom.
I love you (and that handsome fella below) to the moon and back. Tell him to give you a hug for me.
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my mom and dad – late 70’s. |
love,
me
Birthday Posts to my Mom
What I wrote in 2014 – my first year without her.
What I wrote in 2013 – the last one she ever read.
—The Story of Loss. On Losing my Mom.
September 30, 2013 :: Slivers of Sunlight :: Post here.
October 6, 2013 :: That first week.Those first days :: Post here.
October 14, 2013 :: 14 days after :: Post here.
October 20, 2013 :: I found a treasure :: Post here.
November 4, 2013 :: She’s been gone for 4 weeks :: Post here.
November 13, 2013 :: I smile and drive and cry and smile and cry :: Post here.
November 17, 2013 :: Weekends aren’t easy :: Post here.
November 26, 2013 :: The holidays, the firsts :: Post here.
December 1, 2013 :: 8 weeks :: Post here.
December 10, 2013 :: The Dream :: Post here.
December 19, 2013 :: Vulnerability and Moving Forward :: Post here.
December 22, 2013 :: The reminders. They’re everywhere :: Post here.
December 29, 2013 :: 2013 :: Post here.
January 1, 2014 :: The New Year :: Post here.
January 7, 2014 :: 2 days from 4 months :: Post here.
January 17, 2014 :: Another Gift :: Post here.
January 25, 2014 :: She would have been 60 today :: Post here.
February 9, 2014 :: Five months :: Post here.
March 6, 2014 :: Almost six months :: Post here.
March 27, 2014 :: One of the Best Gifts Ever :: Post here.
April 1, 2014 :: We’re all in this together :: Post here.
April 24, 2014 :: 7 Months, Easter and Nope, I’m still not normal. :: Post here.
May 6, 2014 :: Mother’s Day without a Mom :: Post here.
June 1, 2014 :: Moving “forward” :: Post here.
July 6, 2014 :: Denial & acceptance & blah, blah, blah :: Post here.
August 20, 2014 :: So, I’m 35 :: Post here.
September 2, 2014 :: 7 days :: Post here.
September 8, 2014 :: The Day Before a Year :: Post here.
September 9, 2014 :: Hello, one year :: Post here.
October 11, 2014 :: The brain is funny :: Post here.
November 6, 2014 :: Love :: Post here.
November 30, 2014 :: Post here.
December 4, 2014 :: Another feather. Post here.
December 28, 2014 :: All was calm, all is bright. Post here.
January 18, 2015 :: They’re always with us? They’re always with us. Post here.
Such a great and cool person. It's obvious you learned from the best. Happy Birthday, Shirley.