Christmas meant a lot to Mom. It's my favorite holiday of the year and Mom made Christmas so special. She always decorated the tree so that no square inch was uncovered, gave us a lot of gifts, and filled our handmade stockings to the brim and bursting at the seams!

Some of my best and favorite memories as a child, with Mom, are in Birch Bay, up in northwestern Washington, about an hour-and-a-half north of Seattle, near the Canadian border. We'd go to the condo there and stay, by the ocean. It was great. I loved it. We'd go swimming in the indoor pool there at the condo; we'd use a key to get in and no one usually was there so we had it all to ourselves! It had a hot tub too. We'd also go to dinner at the restaurant Mom liked, near the condo. I remember many times we went there. I remember the combination of food and converstaion with Mom that was great! We stopped at the "mini mart" there in Birch Bay everytime we went there, to get some food or other things we might like. I remember Katie and I would get candy sometimes. Umm--Pop Rocks and more...and my favorite, a candy I can't remember the name of,; it had a fruit flavored coating with a filling that sizzled with tartness in my mouth!! We went to the drugstore in nearby Blaine many a time; Mom loved it. We'd browse and sometimes get things that were fun, like a toy, or magazine. There was the smaller grocery store in Blaine too we'd visit occasionally. All of our's favorite place to go there was the Chinese restaurant in Blaine. I remember Mom talking a bit with us then we were there, and looking at the placemat to figure what sign of the Chinese Zodiac we were! And, on our way to Blaine, we always passed that shop thay made homemade pies, and Mom would look--could we get a pie? It always seemed to be closed--funny. Birch Bay was great. Memories with Mom. :)

I remember when we used to go with Mom, when we were kids, to Seaside, Oregon, on vacation, several times. It was by the ocean--Oregon's coast, as the name says. We'd go to the beach...We'd go to the arcade where Mom and we would play games to try to win prizes. If we were lucky, we could win something fun! It was fun. One time we even went on some rides there. Good times, memories.

I was at a store, Half Price books, about a week and a half before Mom's birthday (this year). Suddenly I saw a box--it was a puzzle, and the most amazing thing was that the puzzle had a picture of the Angel Sisters by Dona Gelsinger the artist (just like on the card). (Dona Gelsinger was the artist whose artwork was on a card Mom sent to us the last year of her life). I thought it was interesting how I saw it in the store around her birthday (I saw another angel card by the artist in a store on her birthday the year she died-- September 2009). The message to me was, Mom is (still) there, she loves us and cares.

I remember Mom in the yard, gardening, her hair up. She wiped her brow with the back of her hand. She loved to garden and be out in her yard; gardening was one of her faves. She had a real green thumb, as they say. When we first moved back to West Seattle, my husband and I, in 1998, Mom gave us her lawnmover, trimmer, and some other gardening tools. That was also when she also gave me her plants. Thanks again, Mom.

She loved plants, not just outdoor, but indoor, as she always did. Inside she had tons of plants. I remember her watering her plants, with her plastic light reddish-brown watering can. 

"Say not Good-night,

But in some brighter clime

Bid me Good-morning!"

Anna Laetitia Barbauld

I remember getting off from school (Hope Lutheran) and looking for Mom's car along the street there, to see if it was parked. That meant she was waiting for me (and Katie).  I remember feeling so good and happy--glad--if she was there. She would open the car door for me and it was unlocked. I would look for Mom's car; it was white. This was when she had her Ford ("Fix-or-Repair-Daily ;she called it) Tempo. The days she wasn't there to pick Katie and me up from school, we had to take the bus. But she was at work then, doing a cut or perm.

I also remember at times I would walk down to her hair salon (Visions of Hair, along California Ave., so close to our school) and I would wait for her to finish her patron's (as she called her customers) hair.

If Mom is not physically there that I see (like when she would pick us up at school), I know she is elsewhere, busy (such as when she was at work), and I know I will see her soon.

Amy

I remember Mom's purse.  Big, and everything in it including the kitchen sink.  In the car, when I was riding with Mom, she would put her purse between us, on on the floor, next to my feet. I remember what was in it, Chapstick, Lifesavers or mints (white with the green wintergreen in the center), Kleenex.  Mom would say, "You want a Lifesaver (or mint)?" and she would hand me the package. I remember it fondly, Mom liked a large purse.  Miss it and her especially. ''''' Love you Momers.

Mom told me she was to be married, in 2007, to Charlie Peoples.  She and Charles moved to Lebanon, Oregon, that year, in the spring, and she wrote me a little later and she said in her letter, "I LOVE Oregon!"  I was happy for her.  One time when I was a teenager, Mom told me she always wanted to live in the country. I think she got her wish.

When I come to the end of the road

And the sun has set for me

I want no tears in a gloom-filled room

Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little but not for long

And not with your head bowed low

Remember the love that we once shared

Miss me but let me go.

For this a journey we all must make

And each must go alone

It's all part of the master plan

A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick of heart

Go to the friend we know

And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds

Miss me...but let me go.

Apparently, our old childhood home on 58th Ave. S.W. is owned by a lady who has a yoga studio.  Our old living room (upstairs) is her studio where she practices yoga and holds yoga classes. There is "Yoga in the Garden" where she teaches yoga and also gardening.

Also the bottom floor is now an apartment which has short-term rentals.  (My old bedroom is the apartment's bedroom, our old family room downstairs is now a full-service kitchen, and Katie's old bedroom is used as the living room of the apartment.

This is the garden Mom made and the gazebo she put in.  Mom would be happy and proud (as I'm sure she is) knowing her old garden is enjoyed by others.

Mom used to sing the Sunshine song to me when I was a baby.  Some of the words go (and Mom, this is for you):

Sunshine,

My only sunshine/You are my sunshine

You make me happy

When skies are gray

You're never know, dear,

How much I love you;

Please don't take my sunshine away.

This art of angels has a story.  For my daughter's birthday in August of 2008, her Nana (my mom, Lana), sent her a card.  It was a beautiful card with two girl angels on the front, who were holding hands and were standing in front of a beautiful garden/porch. 

Later, after my mom went on to the other side, I discovered another angel card (by the same artist, Dona Gelsinger) (whose art/card was produced in Oregon) at a store, on my mom's (Lana's) BIRTHDAY (in 2009).  I think this was a sign from her for sure.

Mom, Merry Christmas (X-Mas!)  (That's what you called it sometimes, notably, written on those Christmas decoration boxes we pulled out of the closet every year at Christmastime.

Mom, it's hard.  I think it's finally starting to sink in that you're gone.  I think, can she really be gone for real/good?  I will miss you.  I can't believe I will never see you again (on Earth). 

Love

XOXO

Amy

Thanksgiving was called "Turkey Day" joyfully, by Mom. 

I miss Mom's face.  I miss her warm, close hugs (and kisses).  I can see her in my mind.  I remember her.

September 4, 2010

Katie and Jeff got married .  But we know you saw.  Love you!

Happy Birthday, Mom!!  Miss you so much.  I will always love you.  I will see you.

XOXO

All my love,

Amers

Isn't Mom beautiful?  I love this picture of her.  I think she looks really pretty.  I actually got it from my baby book Mom made for me (which she made for all of us children).

One time Mom and I went to Robb's to visit and see him, while he was living over at the Calvary Fellowship church in Seattle (in an old classroom).  Mom dressed up real nice and put on her pearls.  When we got there, I think Robb had his camera there (or maybe we brought one).  We got to seeing his bird, Chuck, and held him and stuff.  Robb said that Chuck gives him "kisses".  We took a picture of our mom "kissing" Chuck Robb's bird!  Precious.

We used to go to the Sears in the downtown area (Seattle).  I remember the smell of corn dogs or popcorn they had there.  Mom and I used to go to the old Frederick & Nelson's off of California Ave. (no longer there).  I used to hide in the clothing racks, while Mom shopped for clothes for me.  I also remember we would go, Mom looking for sewing suppiles, to the old (former) Hancocks Fabrics in West Seattle.  We additionally went to KMart close to were I live now (former KMart).  I remember looking for shoes, clothes, and along with that memory I remember how Mom used to tie my hair in a ponytail and tie it with red yarn.

I remember picking blackberries with Mom.  In the "sticker bushes" we would hunt for the berries, near our house, or at our yard in the house on Jacobsen Road.  Mom would tell me watch out for the sticker bushes, but if I got in contact with the leaves, she would put pink calamine lotion on my skin.  Boy, it would itch (the rash from the sticker bush)!  We would collect the berries, and then sometimes we would add sugar to taste.  One time we made a homemade simple jam from the blackberries and sugar. Um um.

We used to dig for clams with Mom.  I remember this when I was very young.  We lived in the house on Jacobson Road in West Seattle.  We would just go down to the beach, which was right down the road/hill from our house.  I remember digging for clams with Mom, then we would sometimes eat them.  Mom would sometimes put them in a soup.  The beach reminds me so much of Mom.  Good memories.

May the road rise to meet you,

may the wind be always at your back,

may the sun shine warmly on your face,

the rain fall softly on your fields;

and until we meet again,

may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

I will remember, and I know we all will, the way Mom would hug us.  A nice, warm, tight hug.  I will remember Mom by her hugs she gave!

Mom was such a good cook (um,um!).  She would make huge meals, with leftovers many nights.  I miss her yummy meals.

I remember many of her meals fondly.  Her roasts, spaghetti, pesto/garlic bread, potato salad, meatloaf, scalloped au gratin potatoes, tuna casserole (with chips on top, crushed up), and lots more.  Good eatin's!!:)  I wasn't hungry at home with Mom to cook for us!!:) 

One time, on 4th of July, I was in the kitchen with Momers.  I was helping her make her yum num 'tato salad. 

Mom loved movies.  She loved to watch movies; and her favorite movies, some of them, she watched over and over.  The one I remember the most was Big Chill.  She also LOVED Sound of Music, could watch the movie (which is a long movie) over and over, swooning!  She loved the songs and I can hear her still singing along.  "Favorite Things" she loved.  Other movies were (along with the ones Katie already mentioned) Far and Away, Stand By Me (and particuarily the soundtrack), Dirty Dancing (or did I just like that one, and Kate.  The title is misleading!); there's more, if I can remember.  She loved dramas and she would hold a tissue and cry at the emotional parts.  I remember she would sit on the couch, watchin' her movies, just chillin.  Sometimes I/we would watch with her.

Oh, and the movie theaters.  Mom loved to go to the movies.  We went many times growing up; Mom, Katie, and I.  It was usually a rated-R movie (Mom!:)); so we got used to those after a while!:):)!  Mom would get an extra-large popcorn, with extra butter, please.  With a large Diet Coke or something.  I loved those times.

"I'll be watching all of you from the heavens up above.  So take good care of each other and carry all my love."

"There's magic in a mother's touch, and sunshine in her smile.  There's love in everything she does to make our lives worthwhile.  We can find both hope and courage just by looking in her eyes.  Her laughter is a source of joy, her works are warm and wise.  There is kindness and compassion to be found in her embrace, and we see the light of Heaven shining from a mother's face."

One time when I was about teenage Mom told me the clover is a symbol of the Trinity (a three-leaf clover); she said that it stands for God; God, the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit.

I remember when I was a teenager, Mom told me that when her time came, she wanted me to not cry (too much) for her; not to mourn (too much), and/but to live my life, and to "move (go) on".  I think/know she said this to me because when I was young, I was so close to Mom and home.  Wish I had stayed close.  I remembered what she told me after she went on to the other world.  And it helps. """ tears

Some of my favorite memories with Mom are of the times we watched great movies together. We’d go to the theater and she’d get a tub of popcorn and a diet soda, and I’d get a hot dog and a slushee. Or, there were the fun times when we would sneak Taco Time into her big purse – nice! Sometimes, we would just rent a good movie and order take-out. Our favorite was from a restaurant that is not longer – Pollo Asado from Guadalajara. Delicious! We watched all kinds of movies together, but Mom had some favorites: Sound of Music, Picnic, Out of Africa, Big Chill, Sweet Dreams, Stella, Fried Green Tomatoes, Selena. Oddly, more recently, she really liked M. Night Shyamalan's Signs. Not sure what she saw in that movie, but she watched it over and over!  Not too long after she left us, I was out gardening and really emotional all day. We used to garden together when I was younger. I guess I was sad to be doing something that she loved and taught me, knowing we would never get to garden together again. And, wouldn’t you know, after I got done gardening, I decided to see what was on TV, and both Out of Africa and Fried Green Tomatoes were on. And I realized I would never get to watch her favorite movies with her again. I cried uncontrollably that day. Now that time has gone by, I see things differently – and I am so thankful for that. Gardening is an opportunity to keep her spirit alive. When I have a little one of my own, I’ll teach her to garden and tell her her Grandma taught me everything I know about it. When I watch her favorite movies, I can think of her lovingly and smile and remember extremely happy memories, such as her horrendous efforts at trying to sing to her favorite songs as we watched these great movies together. Oh Mom.

I will remember going to see Mom, Christmases (and some Thanksgivings, some birthdays, an Easter) (at her house on 49th).  She was always so warm and loving and welcoming.  I'll never forget how before we left she would give me a big hug, and sometimes, a kiss.  I'll never forget her smile and her face.  Just a feeling of such love and acceptance.  Home. 

Love,

Always & forever,

Amers

I miss you, Mom!   I remember I used to go to the grocery store with my Mom, when I was a teenager (Safeway).  I'm so glad for those times we had now, and the memories.  I liked to go to the store grocery shopping with her.  I would help bring in the groceries (usually!), and sometimes we would bring home fast food (such as our favorite, Taco Bell!), and Mom would say, "No eating till we put all the groceries away!"

Also I remember Mom would let me borrow her clothes and also her jewelry to wear when I was a teenager.  I remember going in there, into her room and closet, looking for clothes.

I remember we would also go shopping to stores (K-Mart, Payless/Rite Aid, JcPenney, Fred "Meyer's", Payless Shoesource (remember going shoes shopping with Mom?), Target, Costco, etc.; more) with Mom.  I fondly recall going in the car with her, sittin' up in the front seat next to her. Glad for the memories.

One time when I was at Mom's house (58th Ave.) she got some sedums from her garden in the yard and planted them in two planters for me. This was in 1998. I have had them in our yard ever since. Now they really remind me of Mom.

Mom's meals were always prepared in massive quantities.  I could invite a bunch of friends over last minute, but of course, she would cook so much, that there was always enough to go around.  When I was in high school, Mom let me go on my first camping trip with no other adults - just me and friends.  My friends were used to camping with a package of hot dogs and sticks, but Mom, of course, went to the grocery store and bought a couple coolers worth of groceries for us.  She was always so warm and generous like that.  I still remember the delight of my friends when they realized they had condiments to go with their dogs!  It's no wonder all my friends referred to her as "Mom." 

I remember Mom playing the Big Chill soundtrack on the stereo, turning the music up loud. She would dance to the music too (to the song, "I Heard It Through the Grapevine"); that was the best part. Such happy memories of her.  Mom liked to listen to music.  The Gallery:Audio section is where you can listen to some of her favorites.  She loved a lot of songs from various soundtracks (movies) she loved.