"Memories of Momma" — A 71 Day Photo Tribute (Day 48)

MEMORIES of MOMMA*:

Here's another proud Momma moment, my masters graduation in 2010.  About six months earlier, my Dad had passed away, so it was just Momma and me at the graduation ceremony. It was a bittersweet milestone, and I can only imagine how hard it was for Mom, sitting alone in the audience and surrounded by smiling families.

Earlier that day, I had coached Mom on how to use my complicated camera. I wanted to make sure we had good quality pictures of this once-in-a-lifetime moment, and Mom was eager and nervous to learn. She did great though and now I cherish those special pictures even more.

I remember us talking the ceremony staff into letting Mom go backstage with me beforehand to take pictures and help me with my regalia. At some point, she asked when I would start my Ph.D., and I emphatically told her, "No way, fat chance, not gonna happen!" I sometimes joke about how Mom could have run the travel agency on guilt trips, but really, she always just wanted the best for me.

After graduation, we took a short vacation at the beach to celebrate being finished with school. We stayed at the Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach, the same place where as a family we had spent the holidays together for so many years. We kept with our traditions and ate at all the same restaurants we'd usually visit from year to year, like the Original Oyster House and Niki's Seafood. We had a champagne celebratory toast at the hotel's piano bar — Mom's favorite spot. She always requested "Red Red Wine" — that was her song. And as the lyrics go... "Stay close to me, Don't let me be alone, It's tearing apart my blue heart..." 💙

Here's a cheers to you, sweet Momma!

*It's Day 48 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.

"Memories of Momma" — A 71 Day Photo Tribute (Day 47)

MEMORIES of MOMMA*:

Now this is one proud Momma! This picture was taken at my high school graduation from Westminster Christian Academy. I remember graduation day like yesterday, how I was frantically getting ready and rushing to get to the ceremony across town. I chose to wear a strapless white dress under my graduation gown, and I needed Mom's help pinning part of the dress. I remember she was frantic and nervous, too, trying to get me out the door on time. As she was helping me, she accidentally pricked her finger, and all of a sudden we were more concerned about the spots of blood than we were with getting me on the road in time!

Everything worked out that day, and I remember being on stage in the church, looking out into the audience and finding Mom and Dad's eyes. They both were so incredibly proud of me.   They sacrificed so much to make sure I went to a good private school and got a high-quality education.

I think one of Mom's biggest joys was when I graduated from high school. She herself had left school before graduating, so she always wanted more for me. She was instrumental in me finishing school. With her as my Momma, it was never really an option for me to not earn my diploma. The same went for finishing my bachelors degree and later my masters. As soon as I finished one degree, she's ask when I was starting the next. She was my biggest cheerleader, and it made a difference. SHE made a difference. I wouldn't have this life without her! 💙

*It's Day 47 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.

"Memories of Momma" — A 71 Day Photo Tribute (Day 46)

MEMORIES of MOMMA*:

Christmas 1998: I gifted Mom with a vase I made in high school art class. I wasn't especially proud of the vase because perfectionist me couldn't stand the asymmetry of the pottery, though it did look beautifully made. Of course Momma proudly displayed it on the shelf in our living room, and like most all mothers, she was really proud of this handmade gift.

She's wearing a fuschia/burgundy housecoat that I remember her wearing almost every evening, especially when it was cold. It has a few tiny little cigarette burn holes from back when she smoked, but is otherwise in great condition.

I remember when I was really young, I'd curl up with her on the couch or in the recliner when she'd wear this cozy gown. It was a security blanket of sorts, her trademark.

This housecoat always hung on the back of the bathroom door in our house on Pulaski Pike in Alabama. Nowadays, this housecoat hangs on the back of my bedroom door, in my little home on Douglas Island in Alaska.

It's less soft over the years — but it still smells like her.

*It's Day 46 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.

"Memories of Momma" — A 71 Day Photo Tribute (Day 43)

MEMORIES of MOMMA*:

Here sits Momma with her other best friend, Jackson. Jackson was also my Dad's best friend, not to mention our closest family friend for over two decades.

It was always so much fun watching these two interact. They would cut-up and laugh like kids, and it was the perfect comic relief when Mom was sick and in the hospital. Jackson would brighten our spirits every morning when he'd come sit with Mom and relieve me from the hospital so I could have some 'me' time to get my head on straight. He's a lifesaver, really.

Jackson isn't just a best friend to us. He was Momma's personal coach, drill sergeant, physical therapist, and a positive force in our lives. He was also my eyes and ears in the hospital and would report back to me how she'd do during meal times or physical therapy, if I was away.

One of their interactions I remember the most was whenever Jackson would, as he called it, "tell on Betty," (report back if she wasn't eating or doing her exercises). Momma would stick her chin out and sorta smirk and then sassily shake her fist at Jackson. This was hilarious because Jackson is a boxing coach and boxed competitively during his military service, but Momma sure didn't mind showing him, through the shake of her fist, who was 'boss.'

The great thing about this friendship was that there wasn't any bossiness, just two good friends who wanted the best for each other and saw the best in one another.

*It's Day 43 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.