When your heart is too full to express itself, words often don’t seem adequate. I’ve been in that place many times, more often when happy than sad. Pure joy is inexplicable to me but sorrows beg for expression as a means of purging.
When I feel pain the words flow as tears from my heart. And sometimes the situation falls in between expression and emptiness.
Today is my Mama’s birthday. She would have been 86. Or 87. Depending on whether you could trust her birth certificate or her mother. There was much debate over this issue in the family because one date left her a year older than my Dad which, apparently, was not what she wanted. It was funny from the outside looking in. He would have been 86 this coming August so no matter how you date it, she was still older. ❤️
To say I loved my mother was an understatement. She passed away at the young age of 45, leaving me feeling lost and fearful. She had always been my touchstone for my sense of who I was. As long as Mama was there to smile, to talk to and put her hand on my head, I knew I would be alright. Then she was gone.
She was ill for a long time but we always prayed she would be well. She passed exactly two weeks before my oldest son was born. My advisor, confidante and comforter was no longer there. The thing that kept me going was being a mother myself. I wanted to be for them what I loved so much about my own mother and family. Or I tried. I like to think I made enhancements to what I considered a lovely childhood. Up until my teen years when she became ill.
If anyone ever questions a mother’s role as a lead in the family unit I will tell them that, while both parents are essential to a child’s well-being, it is the mother who more often than not holds it all together. She all too often moves quietly through her overwhelming responsibilities, smiling for the sake of everyone even when she feels like crying. She loves unconditionally, gives freely and seldom complains. She is there for family, friends and her husband, often to her own detriment.
My Mama..
Had a free spirit and was fiercely independent
My Mama..
Was Lucy to my Aunt Dee’s Vivian.
They laughed, they cried and shared a life before she met my Dad, Dee’s brother.
My Paw Paw chose my Mama for my Dad’s brother but once they met she only had eyes for him
My Mama..
Never laughed at our whims or desires.
Even the ridiculous high heels I wanted in the sixth grade.
My Sunday school teacher did that for her.
He was dreamy and smart and I definitely listened to him. 🤦♀️
My Mama..
Loved her family and carried no grudges over her own sad childhood.
We spent many weekends visiting the relatives in New Orleans and sharing holidays.
My Mama..
Helped me with the only wedding attire I would ever wear. I was a flower girl in my cousin’s big wedding. I learned early on that I never wanted a big wedding. I had better things to do with my money and peace of mind. Still.. this was fun. But that perm! 😱
My Mama..
Cared for others before herself. We had good friends known to us as ‘aunt’ and ‘uncle’ that were not relations. If someone ever helped her along the way, they became her family.
We visited these folks often. They had cattle and my Uncle Ernie always smelled of soured milk. We picked pecans on their property and my Aunt Ruth’s old house was like a strange museum.
She made heavenly oatmeal cookies. Yeah, in that bag. Silly me thought they would all be mine! 🤣
I remember that blue coat. She had a beautiful rhinestone pin she wore on the lapel for church. I have it now.🙂
My Mama…
Loved her family history.
My great grandpa Treadway. You can see where my Irish comes from.
My Mama..
Loved her own Daddy more than anything.
Every vacation to the Ozarks to see him and his father was a treasured time for al of us.
My Mama..
Never went to my Daddy’s softball games. She thought she would jinx him.
I must admit the one time I attended one with her there they lost.
I think it was really because she didn’t enjoy the ‘guy banter’ and the wives showing out in front of each other and their respective husbands.
My Mama..
Was the original ‘Birthday Faerie”, always making us feel very special on our day.
Birthdays have always been special to me and I try to honor others on their special day.
We always got to pick our cake that she baked and got a new outfit to wear. 🥰
That cake was chocolate with blue frosting.
On my 13th birthday she was unable to bake my cake so my Daddy bought one at the best bakery in town. It was vanilla with buttercream frosting and roses.
I was broken hearted. 💔
My Mama..
Loved Spring time, new beginnings and all it meant.
She loved Easter and made sure our baskets were special with all the usual treats but one unique candy that each of us liked particularly was always hidden deep in the plastic grass.
We died eggs and had a hunt but with plastic eggs. The boiled ones went into the potato salad we had with our ham. 😋
My Mama..
Taught me how to bake. My Daddy taught me how to cook. He was the gumbo/jambalaya king.
They both encouraged my creative interests which have stuck with me.
My Mama…
Just missed this little guy’s birth.
I like to think they brushed past one another at Eternity’s door.
My Mama..
Would have loved all these guys!
I still can’t believe my Mama..
Missed out on all my treasures
And theirs..
My Mama…
Meant Love and Family to me. I miss her every day.
This is for you, Mama. Please hug Daddy for me. 🤗🤗
These are a few of her favorites..
I just recently found out a dear acquaintance passed away last October. This man was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. I worked with him for several years. He had so many stories about the war and his life. He will be missed but now he joins his sweet wife. He was devastated to lose her some years back unexpectedly.
I made him a mixed tape back then and he chose one song that was his favorite, saying that was how he felt about his wife’s untimely parting. It happens to be one of my favorites as well.
It’s Thursday again, and time for sharing our doors. Dan Antion of No Facilities is our host and if you follow the link you’ll enjoy his historical doors and meet other terrific bloggers and maybe visit their sites too!
Doors can be art, they can be portals to fun and imagination, even adventure. Then there can be necessary doors disguised as whimsical entertainments of the past. Such is the case with our little Playhouse Laundry here. I don’t know how exactly, but it feels less like work going to do my laundry these days. As soon as I see the pink paint and step inside I am transported back to a time when playing house was a delight.
Oh, I still enjoy laundry and love caring for my home. I actually prefer when I am able to hang the laundry out to dry. I wish I had a clothesline here but sadly I don’t. Still, I never dry most of my clothes in a machine other than towels and such. On laundry days it is quite the sight in our little home. But the damp clothes under the ceiling fan feels like air conditioning. 😉
See the basket? This proves I actually do the laundry myself!
I love the little lace edging on the shelves (that no one uses)
The view from inside ain’t too shabby either! 😉
How about this view though?
Each sunset is just a little bit different from the last one.
Next week I plan to take you on our most recent mini adventure. I’m sure there were doors, or portals.. definitely windows!
Okay, music is my life and this post brought to mind a very old country tune.
Attach whatever meaning you think applies to me after you read my post. In the meantime, here is my contribution to Linda Hill's dual prompt for #JusJoJan and #SoCS. Please visit the link to meet some pretty awesome bloggers and join the fun! Today's prompt, in short, is to use the words 'in the' anyway you like in your post.
So, without further ado, I have to say that...
In the grand scheme of things, my life has been pretty sweet. Instead of going all wordy on you, let me share in the way that comes most easily and means the most. Enjoy a bit of my favorite music while you browse.
Josh Groban
Zoo ventures...Bubby!
Mole hunting with the mullet boys..
Staying up all night for sweet miracles
Seeing your children have children..
Friends that become like family
Paw Paw moments
Flying higher than you thought you would
If you're going to San Francisco, be sure not to break your wrist first! 🙈
And be with a good friend.
Shoop shoot, hula hoop, Daddy!
Hippopola! Water puddle joy!
Golden haired boy
Dear Debbie and Patty...Naples girls days
King of Pops/Atlanta..kings of ice cream adult treats
Can you say Old Fashioned Dessert?
I'm...too sexy for my pink boots
New brother love..
So many birthdays! Numero Uno Barrett
So hard to choose nature shots
Potato love...
Wild days in high school. 😂😂
Walter our pet Pigeon. Yep. Walter Pigeon
Weddings bring hope and love
Bonding goes skin deep...
Oh boys...
My heroes
Family sustains and entertains
Little Chewy
Exploring Robber's Cave in Nebraska
New friends in Costa Rica
Always they make me laugh, love and carry on...
Every little thing she does is magic..
The Tiny Doors of Atlanta
(you can find more of these on Dreaming Reality)
I did say sweet, didn't I. Atlanta...so many doughnuts, so little time..
Oh yes I did! A fun but hot day clowning at Fantastic Sam's for a friend
Precious new gifts..
Always....
You understand why....
So many sunsets....
Whimsy..
Funnin'...
Tender moments...Congrats on your engagement guys! This seems so long ago now.
And always....this one...my reason..
New friends every day...
Buddies
and bees....
Treasures in special places..
Very speciaal gifts....
So many fun times...
Lassez les bons temps rouler!
Once Upon a Time in Costa Rica..
Reverent moments..
Orbs at a church in San Jose, Costa Rica
Time for love...
Grits and giggles...
Oh yes they did!
Little love notes..
Hurry Mom it's so hot out here!
So many dewdrops...
Little hummers everywhere...
Which way is in?
Bzzzzz.....
Our resident monkey!
Sundays......
Mother love....
We will remember you, Kenny..
❤️❤️❤️
Mother love doubled!
😂😂😂😂
The world in a bubble
Strawberry Festival...so 80's! 😂
I had a great support system from the start.
Firstborn. When was I ever that young?
Great hair takes a magnificent stylist! Miss you Garrett!
Dad and some of the bunnies!
The days grow long and the shadows longer
Cheers to all the good times!
❤️❤️❤️
So many tree friends....
I miss you every day, Mama...
The family that paddles together...
The caboose!
Friends in San Antonio!
And Costa Rica!
Best friend forever...
Hope springs eternal..
Birthday buddy!
Always the turtles...
I can't help it they are so much fun!
Snow turtles
Forever yours....
I love making new friends...
Sunrise in the South...
You never let me fall.....
Memories are made for embracing the good times.....
They will see you through the rough ones...
This is Book One of my life's sweet moments. Stay tuned....
