"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 45)

MEMORIES of MOMMA*:

Momma and I loved taking little road trips, whether around Madison or Limestone County, up to my Dad's home state of Tennessee, or down to the beach on the Alabama Gulf Coast.

On one of our many trips to Tennessee, we stopped at Cumberland Caverns in McMinnville. This picture brings back a bunch of memories of when Mom and I almost got killed by a black racer snake. Okay, "killed" is probably an overstatement, but we thought we were goners for sure!

It was a hot humid summer day, and Mom and I were walking on the pathway towards the cave entrance. All of a sudden, a big black racer snake crossed the trail, with the full length of his snaky body stretching across the walkway. We both screamed at the top of our lungs, Momma grabbed my hand tight, and we both ran as fast as we could away from the snake.

Of course the snake disappeared into the bushes, and we recovered from our adrenaline rush. We laughed and laughed about our wild interaction and couldn't wait to tell Dad, who was deathly afraid of snakes. God was certainly looking out for us that day, and it gave Momma and I a fun story to tell for years to come.

*It's Day 45 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.

"Memories of Momma" — A 71 Day Photo Tribute (Day 42)

MEMORIES of MOMMA*:

This is Momma with her Bestie, Sue. Sue — or as Mom taught me to call her, "Aunt Sue" — has known my Mom a longer amount of time than I myself have known my own mother. Oh, I can only imagine the stories they could tell after nearly four decades of best friendship. But that's the beauty of best friends: they never tell about all the crazy shenanigans, but the memories live on!

I got a chuckle when I zoomed in on this picture and spotted the "Hooters" menus on the table. I wonder who's idea this was! I myself have never stepped foot inside a "Hooters," but I find it both hilarious and endearing that these two little ladies did.

*It's Day 42 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.