How blessed I was to have the Mother I had. She taught me so much….like loving unconditionally….and forgiveness….and generosity….and faith /hope….tenacity….believing in myself….and oh, so much more. Mommy died in her sleep almost twelve years ago at the age of 74. As horrible as that was for those of us left behind, it was a gift for her. Her life was not an easy one, yet she didn't complain. Her smile and upbeat attitude were ever present. I can still see her smile and hear her voice and her laughter. Actually, often when I hear myself talk, it's her voice coming out loud and clear! She was creative and a seeker of knowledge. It was as if she wanted to absorb every moment of her life. She had us all convinced she really was from another planet; and told us that she had been sent here to teach people to LOVE.
Mommy had quite a flair to her person, and could be quite silly. My children look at me sometimes and gasp "It's Gramma ALICE!" And that's not a bad thing at all. I remember her showing my children locust shells on trees or watching ants build ant hills, worms wiggle in the puddles after a rain. And as much as I rolled my eyes at her then, guess what…..I'm doing the same thing with our grandchildren. I think perhaps our loved ones continue to live thru us, surfacing every now and then.
My maternal grandmother, Nama, was my girlfriend. And she was a stitch!!!! Widowed at a young age, she had to work to support herself until she was 72. The only reason she stopped then was because the company found out she was indeed 72 …… not 62! She survived breast cancer (the only way then was radical mastectomies). Nama told me stories about when she was younger. The stories were so funny that oft times she and I would be laughing so hard we were crying. I can still see that, still hear her voice. I have a vivid picture of her in one of her many housecoats (which were utterly feminine), high heels on, wig in place, makeup perfectly done, adorned in costume jewelry (upper class costume jewelry, I might add….nothing cheap looking even tho she might have bought it at an inexpensive shop). She was the epitome of femininity, all the way and including her perfumes. Nama always smelled "divine" (her words). She mixed her perfumes to arrive at just the right scent, never overpowering, but beautiful enough to make heads turn toward the fragrance when she walked by. Nama was a faith filled woman, and she, like my mother, provided the example for me.
My maternal Aunt, Denise, is my confidante, sister, friend, mother, the person who has known me from the moment I was born. She and my mom were such close sisters, even tho there was a 15 year age difference. Denise is beautiful inside and out. She is a woman of grace and serenity…..nothing ordinary about her. There isn't anything she wouldn't do for her family. Den's three children, six grandchildren and 1 1/5 great grandchildren adore her. But then, what's not to adore and love and model ? She has been a source of peace and comfort for me, ever present…..Den doesn't hesitate to help others in any way she can. She is generous with the poor and those who need to be comforted, always putting others first. When we are together (she lives in another state) it's very hard to part. I don't know what I would do without her and I dread the day …………
And so, I have been blessed with strong surviving women in my life……
Bless all who read this……..
Mommy had quite a flair to her person, and could be quite silly. My children look at me sometimes and gasp "It's Gramma ALICE!" And that's not a bad thing at all. I remember her showing my children locust shells on trees or watching ants build ant hills, worms wiggle in the puddles after a rain. And as much as I rolled my eyes at her then, guess what…..I'm doing the same thing with our grandchildren. I think perhaps our loved ones continue to live thru us, surfacing every now and then.
My maternal grandmother, Nama, was my girlfriend. And she was a stitch!!!! Widowed at a young age, she had to work to support herself until she was 72. The only reason she stopped then was because the company found out she was indeed 72 …… not 62! She survived breast cancer (the only way then was radical mastectomies). Nama told me stories about when she was younger. The stories were so funny that oft times she and I would be laughing so hard we were crying. I can still see that, still hear her voice. I have a vivid picture of her in one of her many housecoats (which were utterly feminine), high heels on, wig in place, makeup perfectly done, adorned in costume jewelry (upper class costume jewelry, I might add….nothing cheap looking even tho she might have bought it at an inexpensive shop). She was the epitome of femininity, all the way and including her perfumes. Nama always smelled "divine" (her words). She mixed her perfumes to arrive at just the right scent, never overpowering, but beautiful enough to make heads turn toward the fragrance when she walked by. Nama was a faith filled woman, and she, like my mother, provided the example for me.
My maternal Aunt, Denise, is my confidante, sister, friend, mother, the person who has known me from the moment I was born. She and my mom were such close sisters, even tho there was a 15 year age difference. Denise is beautiful inside and out. She is a woman of grace and serenity…..nothing ordinary about her. There isn't anything she wouldn't do for her family. Den's three children, six grandchildren and 1 1/5 great grandchildren adore her. But then, what's not to adore and love and model ? She has been a source of peace and comfort for me, ever present…..Den doesn't hesitate to help others in any way she can. She is generous with the poor and those who need to be comforted, always putting others first. When we are together (she lives in another state) it's very hard to part. I don't know what I would do without her and I dread the day …………
And so, I have been blessed with strong surviving women in my life……
Bless all who read this……..
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