In 2002 shortly after my mom moved to California, we went to watch a taping of the daytime show "The Other Half," hosted by Dick Clark & Danny Bonaduce.  One of the questions posed to the audience was, "Has your mom ever embarrassed you?"  Well, you know I couldn't let that one go, so here you see a photo of Danny Bonaduce listening to my story while my mom laughed....
One time when my mom was on a plane returning to Florida from a California vacation, I received a phone call from the airplane phone.  Yes, this was before cell phones!  My mom was excitedly chatting away about this new adventure of talking 5 miles high when I noticed the voice changed to an unfamiliar one who was telling me all about my photos...what?!  Everyone reading this knows my mom made a friend out of everyone she met, and here, just moments on a plane, had not only made this friend with the woman seated next to her, but had also shared her (and my) life stories as well as photos.  A total stranger was going on and on about pictures of me but then I shifted gears, and told Danny about other photos...not the typical ones on a bear skin rug (you know this animal lover wouldn't have that), but ones I found in my adult years that parents tend to think are cute but embarass the heck out of you -- me gardening in the nude!  

Hope you're smiling today mom with daddy by your side up above the clouds somewhere higher than 5 miles up! XO

I just can't believe my dear cousin has left this earth. We were very close, but lived so far apart but kept in contact all the while.

When we lived on the farm in Charlton, NY we made churned butter and even worked in the yard--what fun that was. Those were the good old days and wonderful memories.

She'll always be in my heart!

Adele

THE DINNER TRAIN

My heart is heavy with the loss of a very dear friend, Milly. We shared many pleasant times together and I will miss her. Our first encounter was while I was doing shell craft shows and Milly happened to be there that day. She bought several items and we parted with "Have a nice day." It wasn't too long after that my phone rang and it was Milly asking if I was free to speak with her and of course, I was. She evidently had been attempting to find my address or phone and somehow managed to dial the correct number.

What a very special lady our friend was! She loved people and shared her love of shells with others. That was Milly...always wanting to give of herself or have something she just happened to have bought. One could not go to her home without leaving with perhaps a loaf of bread if she had been to the bakery. I used to say, "Milly, I love your friendship, but please no gifts." It always fell on deaf ears...she loved to remember everyone...her way of letting you know you were always on her mind.

Since Denise and Paul were so far away and holidays were not easy. George, my dear husband, and I would always include Milly in holiday plans. The only time she wasn't happy was when she ordered a Bloody Mary and said it didn't taste like it should. Thereafter, I would hide a can of V-8 juice in my purse and bring it out at the restaurant and have the waiter use the V-8 in her cocktail. She would smile and say it was perfect. Those times were very special to us as we'd laugh and make jokes about little things that many wouldn't give a second thought.

We tried to go and do things with Milly that didn't make demands on her sore knees...this was prior to her surgery and thankfully she was wonderful after that. We came up with the idea of a dinner train ride to Mt. Dora and return as she wouldn't have to walk...could just sit and visit, enjoy the scenery where there was any. Her only request was that she did not like to ride backwards and we immediately changed seats and she seemed happy. We enjoyed a leisurely dinner and upon our return to Altamonte Springs, Milly finally blurted out that trains frightened her!!! Evidently she had spent the entire day at work worrying about the planned train ride. We never brought up the subject of trains after that. If only we had known, the trip would not have occurred.

My dear husband has gone and I do hope he meets up with Milly and Cas. Cheers to them and let's hope a decent Bloody Mary for our good friend. I believe God wanted another person in heaven to smile and make others happy. Milly has left me and others with wonderful memories, along with the beautiful cards she handmade and sent. I have all of them in a special box that I take out and admire when I think of my talented friend.

Denise, I know this is a most difficult time for you and send my prayers that you will adjust and accept that your dear mother will see you again one day. I cherish all of the memories I've stored away and feel very fortunate to have known such a lady. I miss her, too.

May God Bless you on earth and your dear mother in heaven.

Love, Betty

It certainly didn't surprise me to learn that Milly died with a smile on her face.  That's how she lived her life.  She was probably telling jokes on her way to the Pearly Gates!  And still is.

I had only known her since I retired in 2009, when I took RaeAnn Ware's greeting card making class at the Joslyn Center.  She was a hoot!  I stayed in touch with her even after I moved to Sacramento.

Between jokes, she always talked about how proud she was of Denise and lucky and grateful she was to have had such a wonderful daughter and to have Paul as a son-in-law.  She called it bragging, but I called it love.  

I spoke to her about three weeks ago, and I am so glad I had that one last conversation with her.  I miss her already, but am happy that she is no longer in pain.  Not that she really ever talked much about her illnesses.  I would always tell my friends how amazed I was that my 88-year-old friend was so sharp, and that you never knew from talking to her how much she was suffering physically.  It just wasn't her style. She was an inspiration to me and to everyone who knew her.  And many knew her, and loved her, as she did them.

Well, now she's making those angels laugh.

I miss ya, kiddo.

           When we are young we think our moms have all the answers, but as we embark on our teenage years, we think our moms misplace their wisdom.   Fortunately they do recapture their good sense during our adulthood and re-emerge as bright, thought-filled women worthy of our admiration.  What gets them through those tumultuous times of sanity lost and regained?  Probably the same advice that my wise and loving mom shared with me, “You may not always get what you want and people won’t always appreciate you, but the key is to cope by making the best of what comes your way.”

            There was the new girl who swam faster than me; the Student Council election I didn’t win; the easy word misspelled in the County Spelling Bee; the boy who left me in tears; the writing contest lost and the job interview blown, but my mom’s advice prepared me to squeeze those lemons into lemonade by moving forward rather than dwelling on what might have been.

            Disappointment is no stranger to anyone, but how we handle it is what makes us who we are,  and I am one proud woman to have had a mom who sought out the silver lining in every cloud that drifted her way and taught me to do the same.