Saturday, May 25, 2024

Her Endearing Memory

Mom with Zachary Alan - 1985
 I guess that this must be ‘Milestone’ month. Fifteen years ago this year my maternal grandmother died. I
wrote in May of 2021 a blog in tribute to her that is entitled, “Her Smile”. Later this week I will post another blog that dates back exactly forty years. And today ~ well, today marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of my mothers death. I’ve written many blogs on her behalf, so what to compose within this particular one?

I’m reminded of her dear love to my beautiful wife. Mom loved Karen, as she did all of her son’s and daughter-in-laws. And Karen always sensed her deep love. Our one regret is that we only had mom for the first ten years of our marriage. Oh how much we would have appreciated, how Karen would have appreciated additional caring conversations, and special times together.

Portland Rose Garden ... 1985

Fixing Brandi's Hair for our wedding
It was mom … making it a priority to attend our wedding, even though we were in Alaska at the time. Treating Karen (along with Brandi & Josh) with such tender love and attention. Being there for everything that Karen needed her for, yet never pushy or overbearing. As well, Mom was the one who said that she would like to fly up to Oregon for the birth of our youngest. Once again, attending so preciously to the needs that were Karen’s. Mom never made it about herself. And it was mom, who so gently encouraged Karen during our Ohio visit in their home. While Karen dealt with a serious and stressful moment over a scary situation with our children, mom provided just the ear to be listened too, comforting words, and the arm to embrace.

And it would be mom and dad both at our home, then on ‘Orchard’, for the great strawberry blunder. Or, would that be 'blender'? The Willamette Valley was a most perfect location for some of the most delicious berries within the United States, and Strawberries was no exception. So with berries placed into the blender … mom, dad, Karen, and the three kids … all waited for dad’s most heavenly strawberry shake. The taste buds were ready to be delighted on this most spectacular warm, blue sky summer afternoon.

Obvious ~ Right :)
Checking the status of the ‘shake-master’, Karen walked into the kitchen to discover that her guy was stirring his masterpiece with a wooden spoon while the blender was in full operation. With a quizzical look, she said, “You should probably turn the blender off when you’re stirring”. To which I calmly replied, “It’s ok, I’ve got a good grip”! Walking toward the backyard, the wooden screen door had barely closed, when … yeah, you saw this one coming, as did Karen. Oh … but was this an accident? The entire crew walked into our recently cleaned kitchen. With smiles of … ‘I told you so’. Only to find Rick, straw in hand … sipping the 'seemingly accidental' strawberry shake off of the clean kitchen counter top. Nearly forty years later … boy, was that one tasty shake. Too bad the rest of you didn’t get to try it :)

Thanks mom for these and many other ‘Endearing Memories’! They are fondly & eternally found within the recesses of our minds.

 


 

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

So wonderful to have women like this in our lives. So blessed!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Love that song. I know we had the best mom ever. I still miss her. Mom never needed to say “I love you” because her actions spoke more than words ever could. She loved her children more than herself and sacrificed over and over again for every one of us. Until we meet again mom, may my life be a tribute to you.

Anonymous said...

It’s so true we had the best mother anyone could ever dream of having. We all miss you. I’m definitely a better person because of you! Love your son Ike