MEMORIES of MOMMA*:
In the summer of 2014, I was recovering from heartbreak and flew my Mom to Alaska. I needed my Momma, and she swooped in to pick up the pieces.
I had just hurriedly moved into a little apartment on Douglas Island that needed some major TLC. When Mom arrived, my new place was still in disarray, moving boxes cluttering the floor and no organization to speak of.
Both Mom and I like our homes to be neat and orderly and thoughtfully decorated, and Momma helped out in ways I never expected. The old bathroom had dingy dusty rose paint on the walls, and one day when I was out of town on a business trip, she painted the entire bathroom while I was away! When I got home, she was cool and collected and walked into the bathroom with me, carrying on a conversation (but really just wanting to be there when I noticed the fresh paint). It took me a moment, but then I started squealing. She was so proud of herself — and rightfully so!
This picture shows Mom hard at work during that summer visit, ironing curtains in the living room. The apartment I had just moved in to had an entire wall of windows, and Momma couldn't stand the fact that I didn't have blinds or curtains. It's sometimes slim-pickings in Juneau, so I settled on curtains that weren't the best fit, but would work.
Next thing I know, Mom was asking me to find a friend with a sewing machine she could borrow. With sewing machine in hand, she altered four sets of curtains so they'd be the perfect fit on my stretch of windows. And of course she had to iron all the curtains first, before hanging them up — because that's just what Momma would do.
I open these curtains every morning to let in the light. Even if it's cold and dreary outside, the warmth of her memory floods in.
*It's Day 64 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.