The annual search for my Easter basket was always a highlight. Mom would find the most incredible hiding spots; causing me to spend hours searching for it. She would follow me around as soon as I woke up, giggling as I scoured the house, inside and out. There was no place off limits, and I think mom secretly enjoyed triumph over just how difficult her hiding spots were.

I remember one year in particular because it was the first year that I gave up the hunt. My morning search was creeping into early afternoon and I still had no idea where my basket was. I remember getting frustrated and asking her to just tell me where she hid it. She refused. On the verge of discouraged tears, I told her that I quit. She simply smiled and told me “no” but that she would give me a hint. She led me to the garage and let me know that it was hidden somewhere in there and that I had to find it. I looked at the rows of storage boxes and countless hiding spots; thinking there was no way. Then I looked at the washer and dryer sitting off to the side. I opened the washer first to nothing. Then I opened the dryer and there sat a beautiful big basket filled with my favorite candies, tiny, wrapped gifts, and brightly colored eggs.

She never said it but, looking back, I know she taught me something that day. About never giving up until the end goal was reached. About giving grace when needed. About not letting our emotions control us. Mom continued my Easter basket tradition even after I left home for college; sending care packages filled with all my favorite things.

- Cassandra

Time. That is something mom always made for each of us. Being a single parent and working as hard as she did, I look back and wonder how in the world did she make the time for all the small and big things she did for her children, from attending our sport activities to taking us on road trips. The one thing that truly amazes me is how she loved the holidays and decorated the home for Christmas, Halloween, and Thanksgiving. When I tell you she went all out, she went ALL out lol! She would pull out all her trinkets and in every room you step in would be a reminder of what holiday was just around the corner. She just loved her figurines! She would have them across the fireplace mantel, on end tables and even in her glass case where she showcased her other treasured figurines.

For Christmas, she would pull out all the hidden presents and place them under the tree as we slept the night before. Christmas morning we would be surrounded by the sounds of Christmas music, which my personal favorite was the Muppet Babies Christmas. We couldn't begin opening presents until everyone was sitting around the tree and she would be in the background sipping on her morning coffee. Her joy came from seeing the joy she brought to her children.

For Easter, she would hide Easter baskets or Easter eggs all around the home filled with candy and some were even filled with dollar bills. We would race all around the home collecting as many eggs as we can find for she had the BEST hiding places. In our younger years, she would have us dressed up in our Sunday best and attend Church. That was always important to her.

Halloween was my personal favorite. She would take us all out trick or treating in the same neighborhood each year, which was near Hidden Valley Elementary school. We would take pillow cases and by the time we were finished, those cases were usually filled to the top. Once we were back home, she would have us dump out the candy in each of our piles for inspection. This would be the time where we knew to pull out all the Almond Joys and Mounds and give to mom, for those were her favorite chocolates.We would then begin the trade game with one another, which was always fun!

She always made the holiday time so special and I am so happy that I continued some of the same traditions with my own children.

Whenever I decorate my home for major holidays, I think of mom. She loved the holidays, especially Christmas. Every year since I can remember, our house would be transformed into a festive and warm place, complete with decorative towels, accent pillows, and holiday accessories. I would come home to Alvin & the Chipmunks’ Christmas with the Chipmunks album playing on repeat, the smell of pine wafting from her favorite potpourri burner, and my mom, either pulling hundreds of string lights from the garage or hiding behind her locked bedroom door while she hid presents under her bed or high up in her closet.

My favorite tradition with mom was picking out the perfect tree. She loved real trees. While we had our fair share of faux ones, our mom loved going to the local tree farm and selecting the one that would be set up in the “good living room” until January. I remember being so excited to go with her on a chilly night and walking up and down the tree aisle; her observing every pine needle and checking for the fullest, most beautiful tree. And when we got home, she would immediately get to work on watering and adorning it.

Mom loved to see us happy. It was what she lived for. And while we did not have much, she made every Christmas so incredibly special. I never felt without during the holidays and I do not know how she created this magical land in our home every year without fail. While I do not have children of my own, I will continue the tradition of making the holidays bright for loved ones. And I hope I make her proud.

- Cassandra

Mom was a thrill seeker. She never backed down from a challenge and loved trying new things. If you were in her company, there was no staying on the sidelines. And our family trips to Great America Amusement Park were no exception. 

Mom. Loved. Rollercoasters. She would laugh on every loop, sharp turn, and steep plunge. While the water log ride remained one of her all time favorites, a day at the park with her meant experiencing every coaster. These full days required a lot of planning on her part; we never just got dressed and hopped in the car. Mom was up early on our theme park days; packing homemade sandwiches, snacks, and canned soda in a portable cooler with ice. She made sure her fanny pack was filled with the essentials and that we all had on comfortable walking shoes for the day ahead. I will always remember how excited she would get in the days leading up to our park adventures. It was contagious. You couldn't help but get lost in the anticipation of which ride would be first and how many could be tackled more than once. 

Piling into the station wagon in the early morning hours meant a close parking spot for lunch breaks. We all buzzed with excitement when seeing the iconic flags of Great America - especially mom - who would point them out and announce our arrival. And then the day would begin.

I don't remember her every worrying about long lines. Mom was always so patient; rarely complaining about having to wait. She would stand quietly in observation; sneaking peeks at us with a soft smile playing on the corners of her lips. And when we were finally strapped in, the small smile would open wide in a grin with what was to come.  

Ride after ride after ride. We could never get enough. And with four kids varying in age, mom gave some of us the independence to go off on our own...as long as we met at the main carousal at lunch time. Hands banded or stamped for re-entry, we would trek through the hot parking lot and spread out in the back of the station wagon with turkey and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, chips, and generic cola. And once we got our fill, we would head back into the park until well after dark...going on ride after ride after ride.

I think we all got our sense of adventure from mom. Our zest for life and experiences. Our ability to take risks and dive right in with things big and small. Rollercoasters will always be a reminder of her for me because of how much more exciting they were when she was around. And like her, I hope I never lose my love of them. 

- Cassandra