"Memories of Momma" — A 71 Day Photo Tribute (Day 64)

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.

"Memories of Momma" — A 71 Day Photo Tribute (Day 63)

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.

"Memories of Momma" — A 71 Day Photo Tribute (Day 62)

MEMORIES of MOMMA*:

Here's another picture from our day cruise to Tracy Arm Fjord in July 2014. This was the same summer Mom discovered that leggings were quite fashionable in Alaska. She was so cute in her Nike sport shoes and flashy socks. We knew we'd get chilled in front of the glaciers though, so we were sure to bring scarves and gloves.

The black leather gloves she's wearing in this photo are the same gloves I wore this morning, as I brushed mounds of snow off my car. The gloves feel a little bit warmer, now knowing her hands once were in them.

There are little reminders of her... here, there, everywhere.

*It's Day 62 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 61)

MEMORIES of MOMMA*:

It was incredible watching Mom get outside of her comfort zone and join me in little adventures in Alaska. One of our favorite trips together was a day cruise in July 2014 to the Tracy Arm Fjord, a few hours south of Juneau.

We knew it'd be chilly that day, so I loaned Mom one of my old sweatshirts from the Salty Dawg Saloon in Homer. A Salty Dawg sweatshirt is part of the quintessential Alaskan outfit, and you're bound to spot someone wearing one when you're out and about running errands or traveling through airports in Alaska. To me, it's kind of the equivalent of stilettos in Manhattan or cowboy boots in Texas.

I love how "Alaskan" Momma looks in this photo. She's so at ease and comfortable in her surroundings, even right alongside this gigantic blue iceberg. The tiny black dot at the top of the glacier is actually an eagle perched way up high. Mom was really excited whenever she saw eagles. No matter how far away she was, she'd always whip out her iPhone and take a picture.

Now she's soaring with the eagles and protecting me from above.

*It's Day 61 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.