MEMORIES of MOMMA*:
My Mom was a very hard worker. During most of my childhood, she worked for a tech company called Intergraph Corporation, headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama. Intergraph had a sprawling campus, with a huge cafeteria where my Mom worked every weekday. She was trustworthy and cordial, so she was the lead cashier on the front lines, keeping everything in order and running smoothly.
I remember there were a few occasions when I visited her for the day at work because I was on a break from school. I remember how particular she was about the cash drawer, how she would make sure all the dollar bills were turned in the right direction. When I was old enough to help her with chores at work, she put me in charge of filling up the salt and pepper shakers. For some reason, I really liked this task! There was something about seeing the instant gratification of those little glass containers filled to the top.
I remember Fridays were the day they would do a deep cleaning of the frozen yogurt machine. The cafeteria was closed over the weekend, so Friday was the day to get things ready for the following week.
My Mom was always ridiculously early to work. This aggravated my Dad, but Mom always said she enjoyed getting to work early so she could get a head start on her responsibilities and wouldn't be so frazzled during the day when things got busy during the lunch rush.
I've always admired the fact that she would get to work so early — at the crack of dawn no less. This trait certainly didn't carry over to me because I still have a hard time getting up in the mornings. I've always been a night owl, and she was such an early bird. And she always got the worm.
*It's Day 39 of my 71 day photo series in honor of my dear sweet Momma who passed away on 03.21.2016 after a harrowing 71 day health battle. Those 71 days do not define her. Oh no. What defines her — and me — are the incredible 66 years that she lived her life. I hope you enjoy these snapshots of the beautiful moments and memories of her life.