MEMORIES of MOMMA*:
Momma was absolutely fascinated with how people live in Alaska, how we handle the cold winters, and how we don't have air conditioners in our homes.
One summer when Mom was visiting me, I told her about my best friend Sarena who was living on a boat. Momma couldn't believe me; she didn't know what in the world would possess someone to live in a boat. Momma was a city girl.
I described about how spendy it is to live in Alaska and how renting a small apartment in Juneau could easily cost well over a thousand dollars, about double what it would cost in Alabama. I explained that it's actually a pretty wise idea to live on a boat in Juneau, because it could be a fun adventure and the boats were super cute, too.
To make my point, I took Momma down to the harbor to check out Sarena's home. With the sideways rain though, it probably wasn't the best day to take her on a prowl of the harbor. We walked carefully on the slippery boardwalks and piers, and I was nervous she would fall. But she was wide-eyed in wonder about the floathouses and skiffs and big liveaboards.
When I showed her how Sarena had started growing her own food in a makeshift greenhouse of a tarp-covered kayak, Momma eagerly peered inside and wanted to see more. I'm not sure she would have ever chosen to live her life in this same way, but she sure was fascinated by it.
*It's Day 63 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.