As I type this blog, I'm thinking about my mother as today would have been her 100th birthday. It's amazing to think about and as she always said; "you know what that makes you!" She was 30 when I was born, so enough said.
Mom was a sweet loving soul. She loved my dad without reservation and was always his biggest champion. She spoiled him rotten; he loved it and I know he repaid her in kind. Dinner was on the table every night by six, after of course a glass of wine or cocktail and discussion about his day. He always said he'd never trade her in as it would be too hard to train a new model. That would have been impossible as my mother was one of a kind.
Mom gave us 100%. She was the best cook I knew of and still today, can't be beat on her chocolate cake, molasses cookies or Christmas treats. She would bake tons of cookies at Christmas and would give boxes of them as gifts. They were always enjoyed and never a crumb was left behind. We always had plenty, always food on the table and a kiss good night, every night. My mother was one of the most loving souls on the planet.
As they got older, they traveled extensively first in their RV, then driving trips by car and hotel stays along the way. Finally, they traveled by train, through Canada, the east coast and back to Los Angeles. When my dad lost his eyesight, Mom was in the driver's seat and happily drove them wherever their hearts would take them. At 80, they followed the Mississippi down from St. Paul to New Orleans! We would get postcards from their different destinations, and I still have them packed away as they are treasures that I could never let go of. They loved their Hawaii visits to see the grandchildren who lived so far away. I'd get a two-hour phone call when they returned, telling me of their adventures and how much the kids had grown since they'd last visited. First, they'd visit the family on Lanai, then they would retreat to Molokai to recharge and enjoy the quiet of the island. When they were about my age now, they rode the mules down to Father Damion's leper colony. It's been closed for many years and at last check it's a museum at the bottom of a steep hill that only mules can access. I cannot imagine that journey at my age and I'm fit and active. Mom and Dad were exceptional.
Their last twelve years were spent close to us in Washington. Mom was not going to let Kristina live too far away as she was bound and determined to be a part of her life. I'm eternally grateful for this as they helped me out more than I could ever have imagined. Kristina got to be close to one set of grandparents and loved them like I did my own. Mom and Kristina had a special bond, and I know that Mom is watching over her, laughing and shaking her head at the same time. She loved Kristina with all her heart just as she loved her other three. My mother was one of the most devoted grandmothers I know of and I hope to emulate her someday with one of my own. I know Nikki, Kelli, Richard and Kristina greatly miss them both and remember them with love in their hearts.
My dad left us in 2012. Mom never did recover from his passing. She was with me when John died, and for that alone, I can never thank her enough. She held Kristina and I together and kept us sane. I retired in early 2014 and was with her consistently until she passed in November 2014. We spent a lot of time together in those last months. Since I was alone as well, we had each other for company. We talked about the past, our lives and remembered the good times and some of the harder times. My biggest regret is I never had a picture taken with her as an adult. Why? Who knows, but in my list of regrets, that's one of them.
Therefore, as I end this tribute to my mother, I wish her a glorious happy 100th birthday in heaven. I miss you mom, and wish you were here. These last ten years since you left have been happy, and some of it very sad. Somehow however, I know you know and probably have shed a few tears with me. Happy Birthday Mommy, keep a place in heaven for me and tell those with you how much I love and miss them.