My Mother's Scent

Today is Momma's birthday, and so I can't help but find myself combing through old photos and thinking of her.  That happens more often than I'd like to admit.  No special occasion required, really.  But today will be a closet day.

In my mother’s closet there is a long-sleeved t-shirt covered with gold and silver beads.  The beading takes the form of a deer surrounded by snowflakes.  A Christmas shirt.  For this time of year she loved so much.  She had acquired many Christmas blouses over the years, but the whirls and twirls of this one, in particular, are dear to me.  Special.  So special that it’s buried under a pile of clothing for protection.

Christmas at my sister's house maybe three, four years ago?
No telling what kind of snow-scene was on the vest she was wearing...
I love this picture.  She still looked like herself.  And happy!

When my mother departed this world eight months ago, her entire room in my home smelled of her.  After a couple of days, it was just her closet.  Now, it’s that single blouse...barely.

The Bitty Boy with the Gigantic Heart

Sometimes our children say things that simply melt our hearts...

For the last few days, viruses have paraded through our house like they owned the joint.  First, Big Boy brought some kind of bug home from school, then I started catching something.  Through all this, SuperHusband -- with his immune system of steel -- and Bitty sat patiently by while we staggered through the house zombie-like.  Thankfully, mine only lasted one day, but we were careful to temporarily suspend all the hugging and kissing in an effort to keep anything from spreading.

Still, despite our best efforts, I received the call from Bitty's preschool yesterday saying I needed to come pick him up.

Getting on the bus...and off the roller coaster

I'm sorry I haven't been around lately.  You see, I lost my mother in March, and it's been hard to focus on sewing or writing.  When I do write, I get lost in emotion.  The endless photo search just results in waves of silent tears, and then surrender.  Even when I'm trying not to think at all, everything seems to remind me of her.  Even weird, silly things that you wouldn't expect.

Like today when I put Big Boy on the school bus.

Today's Photo Journal: A Love Letter to My Lego Guy

My husband is amazing.  Our family's been through the wringer this year, and he's been by my side every step of the way.  It takes a special person to be willing to accommodate aging parents in the home, all while working, deploying and helping to raise two energetic boys.  In light of all he does, I wanted to make this Valentine's Day special.

Today's Photo Journal: Jiggity Jig!

Wow!  So, this marks the longest stretch without a posting since I revived and converted the blog in June.  I've been off traveling with SuperHusband and the Offspring.  We spent the last few days walking around the theme parks in Orlando and generally having a great time.  The photo above came from Hogsmeade in the Harry Potter area of Universal Studios.  Recognize Hermione's dress from the Yule Ball? 

I'd like to say I have lots more pictures of places and scenery to share, but surprisingly, the majority of our vacation photos came back looking like portraits.

You see, my priorities were elsewhere.  Let me explain...

Today's Photo Journal: Legacy of Love

 

When doctors first diagnosed my mother and told her she probably had little more than a couple of months, she did something completely wacky... 

Brilliant, really...

She ran for public office.