If my mother were alive, she would be 87 years old today(July 1).  She passed away 24 years ago on May 9, 1987. It was the day before Mother’s Day and everyone wonders why I hate Mother’s Day.   She did not make it to her 63 birthday.  Of all the people in my life who have passed away, I miss my mother the most.   She was not only my mother, but also my best friend and confidant.  She moved to Phoenix, Arizona the year before in April of 1986.  I feel that is when I actually lost my mother and my kids lost their grandmother.  We were all very close and she was the only babysitter my kids had up to this point.  They would spend Friday nights at Grandma’s and on Saturday Morning she would take them to the local store to buy them something.  My one son still talks about it and how he misses Grandma.  I felt like they were cheated out of knowing her longer as she died when they were 1o & 12.

Growing up my mother was always there for me.  She got me through some rough times even as an adult.  After she moved to Phoenix we talked on the phone, wrote letters, and visited her in Phoenix and she came to see us at Christmas.  But it wasn’t the same.  I couldn’t just pick up the phone and talk.  Back then long distance calls cost quite a bit.  It wasn’t like it is now.

I try to remember all the good times with my mom.  She got along well with my husband too.  He always said he was lucky because he had a great Mother-in-law.  I am blessed to have had her as my mother, and one day I hope we will meet again.  Happy Birthday, Mom!

Dad, Me & Mom