"Memories of Momma" — A 71 Day Photo Tribute (Day 3)

MEMORIES of MOMMA*:

My Mom looked like an absolute movie star! I'm going to take a wild guess and say that Mom made her outfit in this picture. She was an incredible seamstress and learned how to sew when she was a kid. They didn't have a lot of money, so she was incredibly resourceful, even making her dolls' clothes by hand when she herself was a little girl.

Nowadays, my closet is full of kuspuks that she has made for me over the years. I will cherish them — and these memories — always.

*It's Day 3 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 2)

MEMORIES of MOMMA*:

Mom looks better than Vanna White in this picture! I imagine the Guntersville Dam was a big deal for the Tennessee Valley back in the day, hence this picture. Mom loved going on little road trips to see things or to window shop or to just lallygag on the weekends. It drove my Dad nuts, but she and I always had fun. Daddy would say, "There y'all go, rippin' up and down da road again!" And then he would snarky sing a few lines to Willie Nelson's "On the Road Again."

One of my more memorable road trips with Momma was in 2014 when we drove from Bama to Mississippi to see televangelist Joel Osteen's "A Night of Hope." For Christmas that year, I had given Mom a music CD of one of her favorite Christian country singers, Christy Lane. I had to listen to that dang CD the entire trip! When she wasn't looking, I'd try to change to Top 40 radio, but she wasn't having any of it!

*It's Day 2 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 1)

MEMORIES of MOMMA**:

I don't know much about this photo of my Mom, except it was taken in the early 1950s in Athens, Alabama. I love her closed-lip smirk and her sparkling eyes and her crooked bangs. Gah, those bangs! :) I never realized how blonde Mom was as a child. Now it makes sense how I was so platinum blonde as a child, too.

I look into the eyes of this soul and tear up, grateful for every moment she gave me.

** It's Day 1 of my 71 day photo series in honor of my Mom 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 endearing memories of the life of a great woman, my dear sweet Momma.

71 Days: The Photo Series

It's been exactly one year since my Mom called late at night from Alabama, saying she had stomach pain and asking if it sounded like the symptoms I had when my gallbladder was acting up a few years ago. I encouraged her to go to the emergency room, which she did immediately. Little did we know, the next 71 days would be the worst of our lives. And on 03.21.2016, she left this earthly home for her heavenly one.

Today, January 10, begins a 71 day photo series in remembrance of my dear sweet Momma. This is to honor her, my Best Friend.

For 66 incredible years, she lived a full and beautiful life. Those 71 days do not define her or her story. Her breathtaking beauty was matched only by her incredible heart. Her soul was full of kindness, and her spirit overflowed with thoughtfulness. She was eager to love and be loved. She was absolutely the best Gift from God.

It's true, those 71 days haunt me — they changed me and ransacked my life and taught me first-hand that life is short and we aren't promised tomorrow.

Those 71 days taught me cherish, to dream bigger and love harder, to be gentler with myself and with others. Without each other and without love, life is so empty. It's incomplete.

Thank you, friends, for being part of this journey. The memory of her is eternal.