A FAVORITE COAT

Mom wore this coat for years. It made her feel rich, she said. I am happy for this memory.  But, it's been hanging in my closet. I've not wanted to let it go but, I will never wear it. I think that I am going to give the coat away and hope that someone else can feel rich in Mom's coat. I think that would have made Mom happy. Lately, I have been thinking about all the family I have loved and lost. Those people who's love meant so much to me. Those people I was so very blessed to have in my life. I am inspired to believe that, that pure, real love will live forever in my heart, in a safe place that I can hold onto it. Physically gone, but, always with me,  and I am a better person for having loved them. Life is complicated, but, we are not alone.
UPDATE: I could not part with the coat so instead, I used the fabric to make beautiful ornaments. I think Mom would like them.

MARY LOVED A FUN TIME

Mom always enjoyed laughter and especially had fun with her siblings. It warms my heart to see her enjoying life-in-the moment in this picture which was taken in Tennessee,

MISS HER, MISS HER, MISS HER

She was always up for an outing no matter how she was feeling.  Wishing I could have another outing with Mom.

MOM ON ADAMS AVE 1970's

love her.... miss her.... our mom.

EVERYDAY LIFE

It happened to me again today...all of a sudden I stop in my tracks to re-realize that Mom isn't with us anymore. It's a strange, strange feeling and I always wish it wasn't so...but, I move on , as life moves on. Here was last night's sunset to remind us all of the awesomeness of God and the hope of heaven to come. Only God can make the sky look so beautiful.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO MOM in heaven

Mom, we miss you more each day. Reality of having to wait until heaven to see you next has really set in, at least for me.  I miss everything about you Mom, especially the love!

MOM'S FAVORITE CONSIGNMENT SHOP IN YEARS PAST

In her memory, we stopped in Peabody at Mom's favorite consignment shop in years past. We didn't buy anything but did see many things that Mom would have liked. Mom always loved fashion. One of her lifelong dreams was to open a boutique.

BRENDA LEE

Mom loved Brenda Lee and she loved to sing.  We listened to mom sing Brenda all through childhood.  She was a favorite but, Mom also sang Slim Whitman, Willie Nelson, Platters, Righteous Brothers, Patsy Cline and many, many more. Some times Mom sang all day around the house and she always gave it her all....great memories. Because of this, Denise and I learned all the songs , too. then, through the years, we would have a Brenda singalongs. Mom even introduced my niece, Cathrine, to Brenda's music and I'm pretty sure Cat can sing Brenda now, too! thanks Mom

Memorial of Our Mom, "Mary" (Boettcher) Lima (+playlist)

flashback-MARY'S GRADUATION PICTURE

Mom graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Weymouth, MA in 1955. This was a Catholic school as her whole family was brought up Catholic. Mom raised us Catholic in our former years but, grew discouraged with the beliefs of the Catholic faith in the 1970's. Nonetheless, Mom loved the nuns and her friends at Sacred Heart.   She considered them family and was sad to graduate and have to leave them behind.

flashback-GOT TO HAVE FASHION AND STYLE

Aunt Shirley, aunt Audrey, Mary, Uncle  Bernie, Aunt Cilla and Lisa

Mom, Mary, in her green dress when she used to sell for Fashion Frocks. She wasn't able to make much money to keep that job. But, she absolutely loved getting the rack of clothes samples to show and wear. Mom loved fashion from an early age.  She dreamed of opening a clothes shop. This was probably about 1969ish

missing my Mom

Went shopping a few days ago...missing Mom. 
 Painting in my kitchen...missing Mom
Driving in my car...missing Mom
Woke up from sleep this morning...missing Mom
Looking at family pictures...missing Mom
A million thoughts I want to tell her...missing Mom
As the days go by...missing Mom
and the list just goes on...missing Mom.  Wish she didn't have to leave us.
Mom always liked purple :)

the biography of C. MARY ( BOETTCHER) LIMA

as told to her daughter, Sandi Howe.  All paintings in this book were done by Mary.

MOM'S PAINTINGS

 In the last few years of mom's life, she dabbled in painting. We always used acrylics (my favorite).  I think she had a talent for it, but had such a late start.... we would sit and paint the afternoon away.  Mom was constantly painting over her pictures and going a totally different way.  I would glance over at her painting and next time I looked, she had it totally painting over and started a new scene!  Too bad she kept doing this, because she painting over some good ones :)  That was Mom!

Memorial of Our Mom, "Mary"

It is still hard to believe that mom passed away last Friday night. She showed never ending strength and courage during her years long battle with multiple debilitating life threatening illnesses. Mom gave the fight of her life and remained positive up to the end while suffering one affliction after another. We loved her so much it was heart wrenching to let her go. The only comfort we can take away is that mom is now pain free in heaven, a place she always looked forward to going after this life. Mom will forever hold that special place in each of our hearts that God designed for mother's love. This love she passed down to us, we also pass on to our children. God Bless Mom and may she forever Rest in Peace.

FAMILY BONDING