"Memories of Momma" — A 71 Day Photo Tribute (Day 18)

MEMORIES of MOMMA*:

More bunnies, y'all! Mom and I were younger in this picture than the previous two bunny-play-time pictures I posted. By the looks of this photo, I was a big fan of Mickey Mouse (complete with Minnie Mouse wrist watch) and Momma had perfected her lotus pose.

*It's Day 18 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 17)

MEMORIES of MOMMA*:

Continuing with the bunny rabbit theme, Mom and I are sitting in our kitchen floor playing with a few little white bunnies. I love Mom's expression in this photo, like she had just paused from baby-talk to the rabbits.

This photo must have been taken right after work/school, because Mom is still wearing her uniform from Quincy's steakhouse where she worked as a waitress, and I'm still wearing my school clothes. Check out the Barn Christian Academy school t-shirt with matching red ruffles on my blue jean shorts. I bet my Mom loved having a daughter who she could doll up and make clothes for. I remember this one time I wore a poofy green frilly dress for a Christmas sing-a-long at school. Mom sewed little bells inside the poofy skirt so that whenever I would twirl or bounce, the bells would ring. I was so proud of that green dress with the jingle bells.

I digress. Look at her frosty blue eyeshadow. Her makeup was always on point. Love her! 

*It's Day 17 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 16)

MEMORIES of MOMMA*:

Fun fact: in the late 1980s, my parents had a short-lived side business as rabbit breeders. This was a kid's dream! Baby bunnies to cuddle with at a moment's notice!

My Dad was very handy and good at building things, so our backyard in Pulaski Pike was full of outdoor rabbit cages. I remember they were elevated high off the ground, at the time right above my eye level. The wood was grey, and each section was separated by chicken wire. I remember being my Mom's shadow whenever she would go out back to check on the bunnies. And of course I would beg her to let me bring them into the house.

I remember her teal outfit which brought out her green eyes. I also remember the outfit I was wearing. I think Mom made it for me to wear at school for Valentine's Day. I was pretty excited to wear the beaded heart necklace, too.

I think she was just as excited about the bunny rabbits as I was.  I remember her teaching me to be gentle with the bunnies. Maybe this is where I get my love of animals from.

*It's Day 16 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 15)

MEMORIES of MOMMA*:

I love this candid photo of my Mom as a 12 year old goofing off in the family room. Mom grew up in Athens, Alabama, in a small two bedroom home near the college. She had an older sister, Anna Faye, and I believe they shared a bedroom, which you can see in the background of this picture.

I look back to this photograph and think how it must have been a big deal for them back in that day to have both a television and a set of encyclopedias. When I was weeding through the boxfuls of photos I inherited from Mom, I almost skimmed over and skipped this one, not thinking very much of it — but there was one thing in particular that caught my eye.

I recognized the clock on the top shelf of the bookcase. I noticed it because it had been on my parents' fireplace mantle when I was growing up. I never knew the history behind it or where it came from — but now I at least know that the clock was in my Mom's family long before she ever met my Dad.

And now, the clock rests on the top shelf of my tall bookcase, all the way up here in Juneau, Alaska. I know Mom is proud I kept it. And one day, I will give it to my kids.

 *It's Day 15 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.