I met Dot for the first time in the summer of 2011. The "you gotta meet my Mom" meeting that every girl looks forward to and dreads at the same time. Dot, of course, was the gracious hostess, so charming and unassuming. So much that I didn't realize until after I left that not only had she found out everything about me but probably had my family tree figured out. Our common bond other than our mutual love for Robert was that we are both mothers that would go to the ends of the world for our children.
Shortly after we met I lost my mother. Dot helped plug that hole in my heart. When Robert and I married I got a mother and a brother and a wonderful family in California and Indiana. Dot got a grandson and a great granddaughter. She fell in love with both but was especially thrilled with Paige. Being a teacher she immediately realized that not only was she beautiful but very smart and encouraged her everytime she saw her to strive for greatness. I never talked to Dot without her asking how Paige was doing.
Dot was as adventurous as they come. She never missed an opportunity to try, if physically possible, a new adventure. On one of her visits to the farm she hopped on the back of a four wheeler with Robert and took off for a tour through the woods.
On a trip to Indiana one summer we made a side stop at her friend's in Nashville. Dot and Dolores had started their teaching careers together and they had not seen each other for several years. As we got closer to Nashville she informed us that Dolores had pets and they were chickens --- that she kept in the house. Dolores was delightful and Dot even got to hold Nellie the chicken in her lap. We did NOT have Kentucky Fried Chicken for lunch that day. Dolores and Nellie couldn't make it today but they did send their deepest regards.
When my son Kaven brought Melanie into our family Dot wrapped her love around her and helped her plug the hole in her heart from the loss of her mom. With the birth of Madeline her eyes were so bright and loving only a mother, grandmother or great grandmother could understand. Madigrace made her feel younger she said and she could already tell how smart she was going to be. Dot never stopped bragging on her girls or her sons for that matter.
I will miss my nightly calls on the way home from work - the "Hi, Honey's", the endless bags of treats and treasures and the love she wrapped around me.
My world is selfishly sadder today without our precious Dot but I have no doubt that heaven is having a Large party and Dot is completely in charge.