MEMORIES of MOMMA*:
Momma was around 25 in this picture, and she and Dad were totally in love. This photo was taken when they lived at Castile Manor in the mid-1970s. For those living in Huntsville, you can still see Castile Manor (aka the Kildare-McCormick House as it's called on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places) off Oakwood Avenue near Meridian Street.
This photograph doesn't do justice to the stunning dress Mom is wearing. For starters, it was a deep emerald green velvet dress, with a metallic gold trim around the bodice. It would put Scarlett's O'Hara to shame. The best part of all: she made this dress herself.
When I was in grade school, we had a class project that involved getting dressed up as a character. I knew this vintage dress would be perfect for the assignment, and Mom agreed to let me borrow it for the school project as long as I promised to take extra good care of it. I remember the back of the dress barely zipped because I was a chubby kid, and the bottom of the dress was way too long for my childhood height. Regardless, I felt like royalty, just as she looked like a Queen.
*It's Day 56 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.