June 19, 2021
June 19, 2021
If there were a recipe for mom, it would be a cup of love, a tablespoon of Betty Crocker, a tablespoon or Annie Leibowitz, a dash of the Golden Girls, a dollop of stubbornness, and a pinch of surprise.
As I wrapped my head around her passing and thought back on the life and times we shared, one aspect stood out.
Mom showed up.
She showed up for Scout meetings School Events, Holidays, and celebrations. She showed up to take us where we needed to be and when we needed her to be there.
For events and functions, you could guarantee she would have her camera in hand and there would be some photo taking. While we often complained about the photo taking, we now have some 15,000 images to enjoy as her parting gift.
Mom showed up for Friday night pinocle with Carol and I when dad was out of town. She showed up for trips to the emergency room, and when we were sick at home. In the latter case, it was usually with Vernors and Saltines or chicken soup.
As we grew older and moved out, she showed up to visit, usually with a plate full of baked goods. She baked as a form of therapy and (I think) as a reason to visit. Her brownies could almost always make you feel better.
Her passion for baking is the reason we suggested donations to Food Gatherers in Ann Arbor for those who wish to honor her. Mom loved to feed people and would be happy to know that others were doing so in her name.
Mom made it a point to show up and be present in the lives of each of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren to the best of her ability.
She and I had our ups and downs, but the downs never lasted because sooner or later, she would show up and we would make things right.
The last time I saw mom was a couple days before she passed. It was obvious to me that she was struggling that day.
I suspect it must have taken a lot of effort for her to make that visit, but it represented who she was and what she did.
She showed up.
I suspect she had a feeling time was short, so she showed up one last time to say goodbye.
When it comes down to it, at the end of our days, it is the people in our lives who show up that make the difference.
Thanks for showing up mom.
As I wrapped my head around her passing and thought back on the life and times we shared, one aspect stood out.
Mom showed up.
She showed up for Scout meetings School Events, Holidays, and celebrations. She showed up to take us where we needed to be and when we needed her to be there.
For events and functions, you could guarantee she would have her camera in hand and there would be some photo taking. While we often complained about the photo taking, we now have some 15,000 images to enjoy as her parting gift.
Mom showed up for Friday night pinocle with Carol and I when dad was out of town. She showed up for trips to the emergency room, and when we were sick at home. In the latter case, it was usually with Vernors and Saltines or chicken soup.
As we grew older and moved out, she showed up to visit, usually with a plate full of baked goods. She baked as a form of therapy and (I think) as a reason to visit. Her brownies could almost always make you feel better.
Her passion for baking is the reason we suggested donations to Food Gatherers in Ann Arbor for those who wish to honor her. Mom loved to feed people and would be happy to know that others were doing so in her name.
Mom made it a point to show up and be present in the lives of each of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren to the best of her ability.
She and I had our ups and downs, but the downs never lasted because sooner or later, she would show up and we would make things right.
The last time I saw mom was a couple days before she passed. It was obvious to me that she was struggling that day.
I suspect it must have taken a lot of effort for her to make that visit, but it represented who she was and what she did.
She showed up.
I suspect she had a feeling time was short, so she showed up one last time to say goodbye.
When it comes down to it, at the end of our days, it is the people in our lives who show up that make the difference.
Thanks for showing up mom.