You would have been 87 today! I made a flower arrangement today, and it reminded me that you used to call them "flower derangements." Funny, how I see you everywhere today--in the flowers (like the Lily of the Valley you loved), in the "JBG" medallion around my neck, in the birds swooping around. Love to you!

Thinking about Mom.  I am wearing her gold charm bracelet

Thinking about Mom today.  I am wearing her gold charm bracelet

Thinking about Mom the other day, I suddenly remembered that she had made up a  song for me when I was little, and we sang it together every now and then over the years of my childhood. 

Mom had been inspired by the sight of me, a toddler at the time, trapped inside the pink nightgown I was trying to take off. I had pulled the gown up over my head, but couldn't get it off, and I was evidently stumbling through the house looking for help.

So, the song that came to her:

I see a little pink ghost
I really truly love her the most.
She's so sweet
That it's a treat
Just to see her walk down the street. 

Even as I type the words, I can hear the sing-song melody. Neither my mother nor I were ever acclaimed (or anything miles near that) for our singing. But both of us loved to sing. We admitted to one another once that we both loving going to church because no one there would dare suggest we shouldn't sing in public.

There were a lot of things I didn't share with my mother. Remembering our off-key passion for singing, and the silly song she wrote me, makes me feel close to her still.

Mom made the most delicious roast chicken for Sunday dinner.  The wonderful smell would fill the house.  She also made wonderful chocolate chip cookies and brownies!

When we were little we had a bedtime routine.  Mom would tuck us into bed and then go stand at the door near the light switch.  We would count to three in French and then Mom would switch off the light.