I Remember Mama

Last night I went to a Wake for a wonderful lady who lived to the ripe old age of 93. She was a beautiful person and I knew her all my life. She liked to wear hats (me too), she was raised on a farm in Kansas, she was deeply religious in her faith and I only heard kind words about her. She was lucky enough to marry a man that was true to the word "Gentleman".

Last night her children spoke about their mother. "You come from good stock." She would tell them. Her son told us that his mother taught him how to drive when he was 15. This was back in the 1950s when families only had one car. His mother rolled up the living room carpet and taught him how to dance. I loved it when he told us that his mother taught him how to make gravy. Let me assure you that this wasn't pot roast gravy - it was white gravy for bisquits or chicken fried steaks. I told him later how lucky he was that his mother taught him to make gravy. My parents were Yankees and it took me ten years to learn how to make gravy for the Oklahoma man I married.

His sister had a lot of the same sentiments. She described to us a woman of deep faith so much that it determined where they bought their house. It had to be in walking distance of the church. So many families (mine included) did that back in the 50s.

She is at rest now and is with her beloved gentleman, family and friends. Last night made me think about how my boys children might describe us or how will I describe my mother when the time comes. Several thoughts have been coming in and out of my brain - I need to write them down and not wait for when I won't have time. I just hope my boys remember the one most important thing I have told them all their lives - "I am the smartest woman you will ever know!"

Ciao - Call your mother if you can, think of your mother, most of all be thankful for your mother.