Memories of Mom reading to Johnny and little Leo

Gone 10 years but always in our hearts HAPPY 87th BIRTHDAY MOM!

Happy Times

Mom, God has found favor with our family. Our lives have gone on down here and we are all doing well. But, we miss you very much. It's hard to believe you have been in Heaven for almost 5 years now. I think of you all the time.

love never dies

this Christmas gift from my sister, Denise, is so special to me....will miss you till we meet again in Heaven Mom!-Sandi

the GIFT

 The last day of our Southshore MA road trip we drove back to VT. We decided to stop and have lunch at Crackerbarrel in Londonderry, NH. Crackerbarrel was one of our Mom's favorite places. After, we went to the register to pay. As I reached for my card, I see a gift card for Crackerbarrel that I had slipped into my wallet 4 years ago, when mom passed away and I found the card in her belongings. So, I asked the cashier to give it a try, not thinking the card was good, Well, to our surprise the card was a good one! Denise and I were both so happy that Mom bought us lunch and we knew she was smiling down on us that day! Love her, miss her, thanks for lunch, Mom!

Mom with her granddaughters

(son, John's) CATHRINE

(son, Leo's) JENNA

Long lost photo of Mom

Mom and Bob

Mom and Sandi

Love lives on

SISTER ROAD TRIP

A day in the life of Mom. These were taken when she went on a road trip with her sisters, Betty and Audrey. 

You Made Our Christmases So Fun..thank you

Brenda Lee....mom's favorite

FUN TIMES

Mom was always up for some good ole fun as were her siblings. I really miss that! I miss the laughs. I miss the chats! I miss her encouragement through troubling times. I miss the positive attitude that she had towards life, because of her faith.

WHERE MOM MET RAY

Mom worked her and Ray was a stockbroker on State St who often came in for lunch.
They married and blended families for 17 years.

MISSING OUR ENDLESS CONVERSATIONS MOM

I found this saying and it says it all....

MOM'S RAINCOAT LIVES ON....

I just could not bring myself to part with Mom's raincoat. So, I came up with the idea to salvage the iridescent purple material and transform it into ornaments for my siblings as a memento of mom. then I gave these to my siblings this Christmas

MOM and ME

Boy, it's been a tough year without hearing from Mom.  Especially since I talked with her at least once a week and most of the time more than that.  All the things that happened in daily life that I have wanted to share with her....it's just been hard. Life is different now. That's just the way it is. Every time someone we love dies, there is a sadness that you carry. I mean there is also the flood of great memories to forever fill your heart when you think of the person. But, the sadness...it's something new, that was never there and now you live with it, because it doesn't go away. Life goes on but mother love...it's real tough to lose.

MARY OF DAYS GONE BY

Here's my mom shortly after she and Ray moved to Merritt Island, FL to start a new chapter of her life.

MOM LOVED HER SISTERS (AND BROTHERS)

Mom's siblings were an enormous part of her life. I remember all MY childhood weekends were spent at various aunts and uncles homes for cookouts and get-togethers. We, as children would observe first hand what family bonding was truly all about. These siblings helped each other through all the ups and downs of life....and to me, this was so very memorable and makes me smile, even today, to think about it.

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.