"Memories of Momma" — A 71 Day Tribute (Day 39)

MEMORIES of MOMMA*:

My Mom was a very hard worker. During most of my childhood, she worked for a tech company called Intergraph Corporation, headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama. Intergraph had a sprawling campus, with a huge cafeteria where my Mom worked every weekday. She was trustworthy and cordial, so she was the lead cashier on the front lines, keeping everything in order and running smoothly.

I remember there were a few occasions when I visited her for the day at work because I was on a break from school. I remember how particular she was about the cash drawer, how she would make sure all the dollar bills were turned in the right direction. When I was old enough to help her with chores at work, she put me in charge of filling up the salt and pepper shakers. For some reason, I really liked this task! There was something about seeing the instant gratification of those little glass containers filled to the top.

I remember Fridays were the day they would do a deep cleaning of the frozen yogurt machine. The cafeteria was closed over the weekend, so Friday was the day to get things ready for the following week.

My Mom was always ridiculously early to work. This aggravated my Dad, but Mom always said she enjoyed getting to work early so she could get a head start on her responsibilities and wouldn't be so frazzled during the day when things got busy during the lunch rush.

I've always admired the fact that she would get to work so early — at the crack of dawn no less. This trait certainly didn't carry over to me because I still have a hard time getting up in the mornings. I've always been a night owl, and she was such an early bird. And she always got the worm.

*It's Day 39 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 37)

MEMORIES of MOMMA*:

Continuing with the theme of family vacations, one year we traveled to Gulf Shores, Alabama, for the Christmas break. I remember we loaded so much stuff into the car that there was no room on the seven hour drive for me to stretch out and sleep in the back seat. Mom and Dad packed boxes of food and presents and everything else needed for celebrating Christmas at the beach.

I remember Mom wanting to make our Christmas away from home extra special, so she packed up lots of Christmas decorations, including this vintage green ceramic Christmas tree you can see on the table in this picture. I was spoiled rotten and didn't appreciate some of these thoughtful gestures at the time — but I definitely do now.

When Mom passed away and I was going through her home and boxing up decades of memories, I happened upon the tabletop Christmas tree. I was overjoyed to find it because it had been part of our family for so many years.

I was SO excited about the idea of bringing a little piece of 'home' back to Alaska with me. I even took the lamp to a lighting specialist in Huntsville to replace all the old wiring so it'd be safe in Alaska. Then I packed it up very careful and sent it on its way to Juneau. Unfortunately, it arrived broken in a million pieces, and I was devastated. I am glad I found this picture though.

*It's Day 37 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 36)

MEMORIES of MOMMA*:

My parents were both hard workers and would save money each year so we could take a family vacation to Gulf Shores, Alabama, about seven hours south of my hometown in Huntsville. I have lots of wonderful memories from these vacations, including this one of Momma and I hanging out at the white sandy beach.

Mom was, as they say, a sun worshipper, and she loved laying out at the beach or the pool, working on her tan. (She would keep a dark tan in the off-season at the tanning salon which she and Dad coincidentally owned alongside the barbershop.) I probably drove her nuts as a young child wanting to run up and down the beach and play, when she just wanted to relax in the hot sun. She and my Dad would take turns being active with me, but Mom was usually the one to take me for a swim in the ocean or pool since Dad had an artificial leg that wasn't waterproof. (He was a leg amputee from a farming accident when he was 3.)

You'll notice the little armband floatie sitting on the lounge chair next to her. She'd never let me go near the water without my arm floaties or life-vest, and of course I would test my luck and try to sneak off to the shore. She was an incredible Mom and kept me safe always.

*It's Day 36 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 of her life. 

"Memories of Momma" — A 71 Day Photo Tribute (Day 35)

MEMORIES of MOMMA*:

In honor of Valentine's Day, I'd like to show off this little handmade Valentine's Day paper bag that's one of my top 5 prized possessions — no exaggeration!

Momma made this for me in 1991 when I was in the 2nd grade. I've kept it all these years.

I'm guessing the classroom teacher asked all the parents to send a little Valentine's surprise with their children to school that day, something we could open mid-day. I remember how excited I was about my gift bag, how I kept trying to peek inside through the staples at the top.

Momma was so incredibly resourceful and creative! She made this figurine out of heart-shaped scraps of fabric and polka-dotted ribbon. Her attention to detail was impeccable. Look at the heart above the "i" in my name, and check out the figurine's hair made of yarn. She used ribbon to make the bag's handles. She even hotglued on the googly eyes and wrote my school year on the bottom of the bag, so we'd remember. And I do remember. She is how she showed LOVE. 

Momma's thoughtfulness was her greatest talent, and I strive to show this same level of thoughtfulness to those I care about. This is how I show love, too. I think it's one of the greatest traits that she could have passed down to me. I love that this is part of her legacy.

Happy Valentine's Day, y'all!

*It's Day 35 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.