It is another one of those beautiful Autumn days that just reminds me so much of Fall at our childhood house on State Road in Avondale. Sue and I always made at least one of our yearly visits to you around this time, and we would revel in the gloriousness of blue skies, colorful leaves and cool breezes as we sat having breakfast on the stone patio with you. You would complain if the breeze was a little too much to safely read the morning paper, or if it threatened to mess with your newly coifed hair, but those hours spent at that table, chatting and laughing, often sustain me now, and are the stuff of my happier dreams. So today, as I note the 6th anniversary of your passing, I look out from my back deck, at the rising sun in a clear sky and speak your so oft repeated phrase, "Es ist immer noch eine schoene Welt!" ("it is still a beautiful world!") Here's to you, and your eternal optimism, Mama!

Five years it has been now, dear Mama, and yet the ache is still as if new.      There is a gentle irony in the fact that my birth month, owed to you and Daddy, has become the same as your death month. It has changed the way I feel during October. Gratitude is still the dominant theme, for the life you gave to me, for the guidance and support, for the life-long loyalty you showed to your family, but now the gratitude is tinged with melancholy at the void in my life that your death has brought. No Sunday night phone calls, no sharing of the small triumphs or downfalls suffered during a year. No plotting of birthdays and Christmas. How I miss all those occasions to hear your sweet voice. Just last week we mourned the passing of Sue's Uncle George, and sang hymns at his service. For just a moment I thought I could hear you singing with me, because I know you would have remembered how he teased you at your first Hughes Family Thanksgiving. I hope the two of you are reunited in a giggle or two now. And I will keep chatting with you when I am in the vegetable garden.

Has it really been four years since we last heard your clear bell of a voice? Your sweet giggle? I still feel like I can hear you now and it seems like just yesterday that your sweet smile graced my life. Your wind chimes from the old garage have been repaired yet again, and they sound their call while I weed the vegetable garden here in Florida. I talk to you when I hear them sound and somehow hope that you can hear me. My life is good, dear Mama, but I still miss you so. And yet I am glad that you are not here to witness the discord, alienation, hatred and pandemic that is loose in the world. It would have made you sad. But then, we would have gone for a scenic drive, and you would have sighed and said, "Ach, es ist immer noch eine schöne Welt!" (Oh, but it is still a beautiful world.) And then we would have come home, just a little bit renewed, and carried on. Oh, how my heart aches for just one more of those scenic drives.

Dear sweet Mum, you are so deeply missed. But on this day, I celebrate your life-- a long, beautifully and thoroughly lived life that brought so much joy to so many. I miss you every day. You are the best, still and always, your Sue.

Mama, you would have been 92 today, and I remember that, on the day after your last birthday, you giggled and said "I am going for 92." Who knew then, as we giggled with you, that you wouldn't be here today--even Sue's nephew Dustin recently said "I just thought she was going to always be there"..... But alas, that could never be. So today, as Jutta and I are reminded once more of our loss and how much we miss you every day, we also celebrate your wonderful life and all of the gifts it brought into our world. Sue gathered flowers from our garden early this morning, and they sit in our kitchen in tribute to your sweet smile, your generous heart, your wonderful singing, and yes, your little giggle.

Helga's shining legacy resides in her daughters now. Though I didn't know Helga well, I see in Marianne a well-mothered human being. Surely Helga sowed the seeds of compassionate kindness, intelligence and humor that make Marianne the woman she is today. Jutta, I have no doubt that you have the same qualities. Sue's touching tribute speaks for itself about Helga's impact on HER life. Much love and Big Hugs Marianne, Jutta and Sue. I've no doubt Helga is resting in peace.

Jutta, Jeff, and Family,
I love seeing all these wonderful photos of your mom and family! I never met your mom while in Bishop but sounds like one amazing lady, wife, and husband. And if Jutta learned everything about German desserts from her mom, then I know your mom is one heck of a lady with a dessert skill set that would impress all:) Lots of love and light to you all:) Jim and Elysia

Although we briefly visited every other year, we made great use of our short time together. We loved hearing stories about her life in PA and all she had to say about her friends back home.We always looked forward to our talks around the campfires surrounded by the stars.Our fondest memory that we to this day still chuckle about occurred during our annual walk off the Turkey day lunch.Mum was great to keep up as she was in great shape.But as she aged, she had a bit of trouble keeping up. She looked at us and said "whew, I am out of puff".. Our last visit with Mum was while she was recuperating from surgery.We went to visit her.Even there she had a great spirit.Brenda was just diagnosed with breast cancer.Mum looked at her and with a great big smile said, "it's OK, you will be fine"..We knew then that she would be OK because Mum said so. We so loved this great woman!

Mum is in her field of Edelweiss forever!

Edelweiss, Edelweiss
Every morning you greet me
Small and white
Clean and bright
You look happy to meet me
Blossom of snow may you bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever
Edelweiss, Edelweiss
Bless my homeland forever

We miss your sweet smile and will cherish your memory for always. Thank you for introducing us to great German cooking thru Marianne, not to mention when I was lucky enough to arrive close to the delivery of your wonderful Christmas cookies ! I can only hope to be as warm and graceful as you !

Oh lovely one Is she
A daughter
A Sister
A Wife
A friend
A Mother she be
Close as an arrow to each of thee
Then she becomes a Mum to other
Oh how can it be
That the joy she brought may never again be
Oh, but yes, May the joy she brought continue to bring joy to all of ye
May your memories shine bright as you share the stories of she
As you wait until the day when she welcomes each of ye.

A tribute to Helga.