Mom

Today would have been my Mom's 73rd birthday.

 I have this list full of quotes that she would often say.  I was planning on sharing some of them on this post.  I went to the drawer where I keep it, sat down in front of my computer, and started to read them.

How can a bunch of phrases she used to say get me so emotional?  I think it's because there's a story behind each one.  A memory of where she stood when she said it.  The look on her face.  The sound of her voice.  It's all there with this list.  The love and the laughs.  It's all there.

Personal Maxims:
*Less is more.
*This too shall pass.
*To thine own self be true.
*Is it really worth it? (while sitting on the couch watching elaborate cooking shows)

Herself:
*Let me do the worrying.
*Can't keep a good girl down.
*Plenty of life left in the ol' gal.
*I'll see you when I see you.
*Time to do my exercises. (during commercials, she'd get up and do stretches)
*HEL lo (answering the phone)
*Home again, home again, jigity jig
*All back in the same day.
*You stinker. (while playing someone in double solitaire)

The Children:
*Jimmy, Bob, Mary Grace, John......time to come in.  It's bath night. (yelled up the street)
*Hiya Pumpkins! (to me)
*Hi Beautiful ( to Mary Grace)
*Bob's got nice hair.
*Last minute John.

Dad:
*Hiya Pop!
*Hi Honey, How ya doin'?
*What can I get 'cha?

The Uncles:
*How are you, my brother?

Food:
*Would you like a snack?
*How about a nice banana?
*Can I get you anything else?


Other:
*Six in one, half dozen of the other.
*Crash, bang, allaka zam (when she would drop pots or pans in the kitchen)

Needless to say, we teased her a lot.  I don't think she minded.  But she would always come back with, "You'll miss me when I'm gone."

And she was right.  I really do miss her; more so now than ever.  I've often thought that if I could just have five minutes with her......but then again, no.

Someone once said, "The time we have with our loved ones here on earth is just a small fraction of the time we will be with them in eternity."  That is such a comforting thought. (as long as I can get myself there, that is).  So, rather than miss her and be sad today I'm going to try to look forward to spending another lifetime with her in Heaven.  So Happy Birthday Mom......

                                                    "Til we meet again."