Remembrance, Once Again
Hi, Mom,
Another year . . . how they slide by! Again, I'm late in posting this, like last year, though at least it's only a few days. Work has kept me busy, as 12-hour shifts tend to do. Even though I can hear you saying that it's okay, it's not okay by me, because I can do better to be on time.
There was recently a gathering for celebrating the life of your sister, S. Included in the slideshow of photos were pictures of you with your three sisters that brought back memories. No family gathering was complete without a picture of the four of you! I have no doubt you’re there helping Aunt S adjust in between rounds of coffee with others that are there with you, like your dad and the longtime neighbors, E and M.
I spent some time with each of your granddaughters, too. They are growing up into beautiful young ladies that I know you would love wholeheartedly and spoil rotten in ways only you could. As auntie, of course, I had to spoil my nieces, but I also claim usage of your spoilage rights for them. Niece A and I went out to eat and saw a movie, then she showed off her collection of dolls and their clothes to me. Niece E and I enjoyed time at the Mall of America with a visit to the aquarium, since animals continue to be a favorite of hers. It was awesome for me to have time with each of them, to talk and learn about their individual selves. I am thrilled and proud to know them and be a part of their lives!
Dad continues to be Dad. I’m sure you’re keeping an eye on him, so what more can I say? He still likes to have ‘logical discussions.’ I still can’t adequately answer him when he asks how he’s being annoying to me. He still asks ‘what did you get me?’ anytime there’s an occasion for presents to be given, including his birthday, and he’s also taken to asking whenever I mention I’m sending stuff to my nieces. So, yeah, he’s still Dad, complete with batting his eyelashes and Cheshire-cat-like grin whenever he’s irritating. Brother C and his family continue on. I visited with them as well on my recent visit and got to know the multitude of animals they have - dogs, cats and chickens. I can easily picture you cuddling the heads of the dogs just as you did with the big dogs we had.
California continues to be home. In a few weeks, Goblin King, my cat will be two years old. He's the 'guy' in my life, so to speak, and is definitely 'king' of the house. He's not social and picky about being petted (which I blame on the whole COVID-19 happenings), but loves to play with socks and I know you would enjoy the antics he's done. Dad, of course and in jest, wants me to greet Goblin for him by dropkicking him (which I refuse, obviously). Despite the wildfires and triple-digit heat, I'm doing good - probably because I'm used to the smell of smoke from Dad's time on the fire department and the heat is a dry heat, much better than the humid variety (and I will admit, air conditioning is now a requirement, not just something optional for me).
Sewing continues to be one of my hobbies. I did recently decide to get a couple of newer machines with more ‘bells and whistles,’ but your machine is still going strong! It’s not being replaced by these new models, but becoming part of the collection. I still make more quilts and crafts than clothes, but those skills that started with you have only grown over the years. Recently, there's been encouragement towards selling some of the simple baby blankets and other crafts I do online and I'm slowly exploring that. Still, family and close friends are my first choices for anything I have.
Know that I miss you, Mom, even all these years later. Thoughts of you are never far away. I love you!
Link to last year's letter: https://marauderswolf.livejournal.com/151241.html
Another year . . . how they slide by! Again, I'm late in posting this, like last year, though at least it's only a few days. Work has kept me busy, as 12-hour shifts tend to do. Even though I can hear you saying that it's okay, it's not okay by me, because I can do better to be on time.
There was recently a gathering for celebrating the life of your sister, S. Included in the slideshow of photos were pictures of you with your three sisters that brought back memories. No family gathering was complete without a picture of the four of you! I have no doubt you’re there helping Aunt S adjust in between rounds of coffee with others that are there with you, like your dad and the longtime neighbors, E and M.
I spent some time with each of your granddaughters, too. They are growing up into beautiful young ladies that I know you would love wholeheartedly and spoil rotten in ways only you could. As auntie, of course, I had to spoil my nieces, but I also claim usage of your spoilage rights for them. Niece A and I went out to eat and saw a movie, then she showed off her collection of dolls and their clothes to me. Niece E and I enjoyed time at the Mall of America with a visit to the aquarium, since animals continue to be a favorite of hers. It was awesome for me to have time with each of them, to talk and learn about their individual selves. I am thrilled and proud to know them and be a part of their lives!
Dad continues to be Dad. I’m sure you’re keeping an eye on him, so what more can I say? He still likes to have ‘logical discussions.’ I still can’t adequately answer him when he asks how he’s being annoying to me. He still asks ‘what did you get me?’ anytime there’s an occasion for presents to be given, including his birthday, and he’s also taken to asking whenever I mention I’m sending stuff to my nieces. So, yeah, he’s still Dad, complete with batting his eyelashes and Cheshire-cat-like grin whenever he’s irritating. Brother C and his family continue on. I visited with them as well on my recent visit and got to know the multitude of animals they have - dogs, cats and chickens. I can easily picture you cuddling the heads of the dogs just as you did with the big dogs we had.
California continues to be home. In a few weeks, Goblin King, my cat will be two years old. He's the 'guy' in my life, so to speak, and is definitely 'king' of the house. He's not social and picky about being petted (which I blame on the whole COVID-19 happenings), but loves to play with socks and I know you would enjoy the antics he's done. Dad, of course and in jest, wants me to greet Goblin for him by dropkicking him (which I refuse, obviously). Despite the wildfires and triple-digit heat, I'm doing good - probably because I'm used to the smell of smoke from Dad's time on the fire department and the heat is a dry heat, much better than the humid variety (and I will admit, air conditioning is now a requirement, not just something optional for me).
Sewing continues to be one of my hobbies. I did recently decide to get a couple of newer machines with more ‘bells and whistles,’ but your machine is still going strong! It’s not being replaced by these new models, but becoming part of the collection. I still make more quilts and crafts than clothes, but those skills that started with you have only grown over the years. Recently, there's been encouragement towards selling some of the simple baby blankets and other crafts I do online and I'm slowly exploring that. Still, family and close friends are my first choices for anything I have.
Know that I miss you, Mom, even all these years later. Thoughts of you are never far away. I love you!
Link to last year's letter: https://marauderswolf.livejournal.com/151241.html