Missing Mom On Her Special Day

This picture of my mom, Eva,  sits on top of my dresser. Every time I walk past it, I find myself staring into her eyes. It's almost as though I could pick up the phone right now, dial her number, and hear her voice on the other end, but that won't be happening.  My sweet and precious mom passed away 11 years ago and today would have been her 80th birthday.

I can't help but smile whenever I think of Mom joking about how when she got 'old', she was never going to put on a pair of polyester pants or orthopedic shoes. She just wasn't going to have it...she was "cool" like that. Oh, how I miss her sense of humor! If anyone could make me burst into a fit of laughter, it was Mom!  We could cause each other to get so tickled over the silliest things.

She was always the one I'd run to whenever I was faced with a problem that needed to be resolved. Mom seemed to know exactly what I needed to hear. She had a way of being truthful and frank with me, yet so gentle. Her timely advice is still with me to this day and I've passed her words of wisdom on to my girls many times over.

There was never a day when I didn't think that Mom didn't love me.  I'm sure I pushed her buttons on several occasions and caused her to question some of the decisions I made, but through it all, Mom was there. Talk about loving unconditionally...Mom was the epitome of that. I do my very best to live by her example of what it is to be a Godly wife and mother. She loved her family more than life itself...and we all felt it.

It simply isn't possible for me to say enough wonderful things about my mom.  She meant everything to me.  When she passed away in 2000, my world suddenly stopped revolving. It took me a long time to find my footing, again.  Many sleepless nights, fits of crying, and asking God, "Why?"  Thankfully, with time, I was able to reach the point where the burden of sadness was replaced by warm memories. When I think of Mom, I think how fortunate I was to have had her in my life for 36 years. She got to see me graduate from grad. school, fall in love and get married, and give birth to two beautiful daughters. We had the privilege of sharing many Christmases and other holidays throughout the years, for which I'm very grateful.

There is no doubt that losing a parent is one life's most profound events.  One minute they're here and the next minute they're gone. When my mom passed away, she left a hole in my heart that will never be filled by anyone.  I know I'll miss her dearly for the rest of my life. However, I thank God for blessing me with a mom like her...one who loved her family above anything else. My prayer is that I live up to everything she taught me.  If I can be only a fraction of the woman my mom was, then I won't have lived my life in vain.

Love you, Mom, so very much.

A Love Letter To Mom

Dear Mom,
I woke up this morning with you on my mind, as I so often do.  Today was different in that it's the 11-year anniversary since you've been gone  I have such a difficult time believing it's been that long.  Brittany was only 8 years old and Abby was just 4 when you passed away.  I, of course, was a full grown adult and even though you might think that I had life all figured out by then, I really didn't.  There was so much more, Mom, I needed to share with you and learn from you...SO MUCH MORE.

What I'd give to have you here to see the remarkable young women Brittany and Abby have grown up to be.  You'd be so proud of them, Mom, I just know it! They both have your love for life, laughter, family, and God.  We talk about you all the time.  I'm so thankful they still have a lot of memories of times spent with you.  They remember the "prizes" you used to always have for them whenever we'd come for visits and how we'd go to your bedroom with a big bowl of popcorn and watch movies together. More than anything, they remember your warm and loving heart and how you always made them feel like they were the most special grandchildren in the whole, wide world.  I'd give anything for you to be here to see them get all dolled up for dances and dates and to see them walk down the aisle one day and have families of their own.

You know what's funny, Mom?  Often when I look in the mirror, it isn't myself I see.  I see you in my eyes and in my face.  It's as though you're the one staring back at me. I like to think that the older I get, the more I'm beginning to look like you.  I used to tell you all the time what beautiful skin you had...and you did.  In fact, every time I get a whiff of Oil of Olay, I think of you and how you would slather it on your face each night before bed. It brings back some warm memories for me and almost makes me feel like you're still here.

I can only imagine how happy you must be up there in Heaven with Dad, Kev, Granny, Grandpa, Uncle Phil, and many other loved ones. You must be rejoicing every single day!  I often think about how wonderful it would be if you could just pay me a quick visit for a little while to let me know how great Heaven truly is.  The problem with that is that I most likely wouldn't want to let you go, even though I know that Heaven is where you'd rather be.

So, on this day of remembrance, Mom, I just want to let you know that I love and miss you dearly, but  that I'm doing OK.  By the grace of God, I'm learning to make it in this world without you.  Your passing has left a gaping hole in my heart that can never be filled. I really hope I've made you proud, Mom. I'm trying to be the best wife and mom I can possibly be, but it's awfully hard to fill your shoes. You were an incredible role model and I'm so grateful for all the life lessons you taught me.  In my eyes, you were the BEST...always will be!

Love you with all my heart!

Your adoring daughter,    


"Death is nothing else but going home to God; the bond of love will be unbroken for all of eternity."~Mother Teresa

No Greater Gift

When I was young, a box of crayons, some Elmer's Glue, and a sheet of construction paper were often the only things I had to create the "perfect" Mother's Day gift for my sweet mom. I'd pour my heart and soul into a card for her. Of course, as I got older, I recall making her a macrame plant holder, giving her a bouquet of beautiful flowers, and presenting her with several hummingbird figurines to add to her ever-growing collection. I was willing to do whatever it took to make her feel special and to put a smile on her face.

Whenever my mom opened her cards and gifts, she'd burst into tears as though I'd given just handed her the most precious jewels in all the world.  She wanted me to know that whatever I'd done for her was more wonderful than she'd ever dreamed. She made me feel like I was walking on top of the world!  She didn't care about the dried glue, misspelled words, or the overabundance of glitter. In fact, she'd proudly display my cards on the refrigerator or on a table for everyone to admire.  She continued to do this whenever my girls would send her notes or pictures they'd drawn for her. They served as constant reminders of how dear she was to all of us and she kept every one of them tucked away in a drawer for years to come.

When I look back on all the Mother's Day cards and gifts I gave my mom over the years, none of them can compare to gift she gave to me.  I was a shy child growing up and Mom always encouraged me to stretch my wings and to try new things.  She BELIEVED in me far more than I believed in myself.  When I became a cheerleader in the 5th grade and on up through high school, she spent hours on end sewing the perfect uniforms for me to wear.  She'd attend home and away games to watch me cheer...and never complained.  She was there for me when I suffered numerous broken hearts and helped me pick up the pieces.  She'd always reassure me that Mr. Right would come along and that he'd be worth waiting for...and she was right.  She showed me patience and understanding when I became a strong-willed teenager and helped to keep me grounded.

I, of course, can't forget the day I moved away to college...it was a mixture of excitement and sadness.  That final embrace before we said our "goodbyes" was almost more than either one of us could bear.  Somehow, we made it through and grew closer because of it.  I still remember how good her warm hugs felt when I'd come home for a weekend.  Suddenly, all was well in my world, again.  We went through another major separation when I got married and moved away for good.  We both knew that from that moment on, things would never quite be the same, again.  I would never be just her daughter, but, also, someone's wife.  It wasn't long before Brittany entered the picture and Mom's desire of having a granddaughter was finally fulfilled.  Then, sadly enough, I suffered two miscarriages before Abby came along...and Mom was right there with me.  Her understanding ways meant so much to me.  Of course, with the birth of Abby, there was new reason to rejoice!

I'll never forget that fateful day over 10 years ago when Mom called to inform me that she'd been diagnosed with breast cancer.  I, literally, dropped straight to my knees.  No daughter should ever have to hear that kind of news.  Still, by the grace of God, I managed to pull myself together enough to be as supportive of Mom as I could, though I lived miles away.  She fought long and hard and ended up losing her battle in November of 2000.  The pain I felt from losing my mom still stings as much now as it did then.  There is, and will forever be, a  huge void in my heart that can never be filled.

So, on Mother's Day, I look back and remember all that my mom meant to me.  She was the epitome of what being a mother is all about.  She was loving, kind-hearted, forgiving, inspirational, and so much FUN!  She taught me the importance of making FAMILY a top priority. She showed me how to have a great relationship with my girls because I had one with her.  I now realize that all the cards and gifts I gave her over the years pale in comparison to the gift she gave to me... unconditional LOVE.   

Celebrate your mom this Sunday!



P.S.  We have a showing scheduled today, so I'm busy getting ready for it.  If I don't have the chance to pay you a visit today, hope you'll understand why. Have a wonderful weekend...Happy Mother's Day!

Like Stepping Back In Time...

Are you like me? Can you spend hours looking at old family photos? That's something I've always enjoyed doing, even when I was a young girl. The ones I really love looking at are of my mom and dad who passed away 10 and 4 years ago, respectively. It's as though time has been frozen in a certain era that may have, otherwise, been long forgotten.

Well, one of my cousins recently set up a Facebook group for all of our family members on my dad's side. It's been so interesting because pictures have been posted that I've never seen before, some including my mom and dad. For some reason, this one of my mom struck a chord with me.


She sure looks young, doesn't she? I'd give anything to know her exact age when this picture was taken. I love her blue and white polka dotted dress, which showed off her tiny waistline. I love how her hair is pulled back and tossed loosely on top. That was all the rave back then. My mom was a bit on the shy side until you got to know her. I'd love to know what she was thinking in this picture as she was flanked on both sides by her sisters-in-law. Was she uncomfortable or did she feel like she fit right in? Things like that puzzle me and make me wonder. When I look into her eyes, I can even see a reflection of myself. The shape of our faces is the same and we both have identical foreheads...I love that about us. Sure wish I could reach right out to her and give her a big hug! She was the best mom and dearest friend I could have ever hoped for. I am who I am today because of her...I was so incredibly BLESSED!

"All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother."~Abraham Lincoln

"Just A MOM"?

I was thinking the other day that it's been nearly 24 years since I earned a Master's degree from the Univ. of Tennessee-Knoxville in Speech-Language Pathology. I worked so hard to get that degree! I had to take classes like Statistics, which still gives me the heaves just thinking about it, Anatomy and Physiology, Aphasia, and Research, just to name a few. I, also, had to put in many hours of clinical practicum working with patients who had speech, language, and hearing disorders while being supervised by some of my professors. When I finally earned my degree, I had high hopes of being fully immersed in the field for a long time to come. I was going to make a name for myself!

Well, two years after I graduated, I got married and had Brittany three years after that. When I learned that I was pregnant with her, Chris and I agreed that it would be best for me to stay at home with her...to raise her the way we wanted her to be raised. I had always wanted to be a mother, so I was excited and ready for this new chapter in our lives. Chris and I made the decision that when Brittany entered school, I'd go back to work. Guess what happened in that time frame? Abby arrived on the scene! So, time continued on with me being a stay-at-home mom and as the days and years went by, I realized that my girls needed me more, rather than less. So, my "plan" to return to the work force sort of faded away.

I often get asked what I do for a living and my response has always been, "Oh, I'm just a mom". I've never really given a lot of thought to it...it's almost become a rote response. You know, I think I'm much more than "just a mom". You see, being a mom entails a lot of things. I can't tell you the times I've wiped tears from my daughter's eyes because someone has said or done something that has hurt their feelings. I can't tell you the times I've had to sweat over projects they've asked my help with...and have stayed up until the wee hours of the morning trying to get it all figured out. I can't tell you how many times I've sat by their bedside when they've been sick and kept a wet washcloth on their foreheads to keep their fevers down. I can't tell you how many times I've read them "The Cat in the Hat" or "Where the Wild Things Are" and have added my own voices to each character in order to keep them intrigued. I can't tell you the hours I've spent sharing my words of wisdom or advice when my girls have had issues they've needed to work through. I can't tell you the times I've turned to God in prayer asking for His guidance and His help in making me a more patient and understanding mom. I can't tell you how often I've wholeheartedly volunteered to be Room Mom or Team Mom just to spend a little extra time with my girls. Oh, and lest we forget the miles I've burned up taking my girls from one activity to another. This is only the tip of the iceberg, but it goes to show that there is way more to being "just a mom" than meets the eye and I will never use that phrase loosely, again.

In these past 19+ years that I've been a stay-at-home mom, I haven't discovered new therapy approaches for dealing with stuttering, dysphonia, or tongue thrust. No, you won't see any certificates or awards on my walls that I've been given for all of my outstanding endeavors. However, what you will find are memories tucked deep inside my heart of all the time I've been blessed to have with my girls as they've grown up and matured. First steps, first words, first teeth, first days of school, first loves, and first heartbreaks...I've had the great fortune of being there through it all. Would I turn back the hands of time and return to being a full-time "career woman"? For me, the answer is ABSOLUTELY NOT! HOME is where my heart is and I'm proud to say that "I'm just a MOM!"...and so much more!

Remembering My Mom

Today marks the 10-year anniversary since my mom passed away. For some reason, unlike all the "anniversaries" before, this one is especially difficult. In some respects, it seems like time has passed by so slowly...minute by minute, hour by hour. In other ways, however, it seems like it was only yesterday that I looked into her eyes for the very last time and told her, "Goodbye".

I can't begin to express everything my mom meant to me. We were incredibly close. In fact, people often commented that we were more like sisters than mother and daughter. We had the same dry sense of humor and would often break out in laughter just by looking at each other. There wasn't anything I couldn't talk to her about. She was an incredible listener and advice giver. She had the most loving and generous heart of anyone I've ever known. Mom was all about FAMILY and making memories and she led by example. To say that I was blessed to have her in my life doesn't even begin to capture the depth of the emotion and gratitude I feel for being able to call her MOM.

I don't know how many of you have lost someone close to you. The whole experience can turn your world upside down. There are days when you feel you have a good grip on the realities of what's happened and you're able to move ahead. Then, there are those times when grief rears it's ugly head, once again, and you find it to be a real struggle to even function. I've had my share of both of those days. Thankfully, with the passing of time, my ability to move forward predominates. Nonetheless, whenever grief sneeks up on me, I don't run away and hide. I face it head on and walk through every raw emotion that comes my way. That's the only way to ever truly heal your heart...you have to allow yourself to FEEL the pain and the hurt.

I do feel sad that my mom is no longer here with me. I feel like she's missed out on so much...even though she's always been right here with me in spirit. More than anything, though, it's a deep-rooted longing in my heart that I have for her. A longing for that special connection we shared. There is no denying it...I still need my mom in the biggest way. I still feel so lost without her. I want her reassurance that' I'm doing well as a wife and a mother. I want to know that I'm making her proud. I want to know that she knew how very much I loved and adored her...because I did.

So, on this day, I will remember Mom for all she taught me and for the love she gave me. I'll remember all the times we got tickled at each other. I'll remember her sweet smile and her big, soft brown eyes. I'll remember all the conversations we shared, just the two of us. I'll remember her not only as my mom, but as one of my dearest and closest friends. She was beautiful, through and through. As long as I live, I'll always remember.

"Though sorrow may last through the night, joy comes in the morning." Psalm 30:5.

Season Of Change...

Yesterday was a tough day filled with memories and lots of raw emotions. It marked the 9-year anniversary of my mom's passing. The very instant I woke up, I remembered. The pain of that day is just as intense as it was 9 years ago, but I've learned to manage it and not allow it to overtake me. Still, I feel like a part of my soul has been ripped from me...and I will never quite be the same, again. Mom meant the world to me and we were so incredibly close. I could go to her about anything and everything knowing that she would understand. Oh, and then there were the laughs we shared. We could turn one giggle session into an all-day event! She was my dearest and closest friend and I can't even begin to put into words just how much I miss her.

As you know, Brittany's last high school cross country season will end on Saturday when her team competes at STATE. Well, I joined another mom yesterday afternoon to take some pictures of the girls that we're going to include in goody bags we're making for them. They were just the cutest...cracking up at each other every 5 seconds or so. Typical teenage girls! We had them do 4 or 5 different poses and they all turned out great! Looking through my camera lens made me very misty eyed, I must admit. Those girls don't realize that what they have right now, in this very moment in time, is soon to be forever changed. There are 5 seniors on the varsity team, so some of their friendships will fade, as is often the case when you grow up and move away. I've grown to love all those girls so much. I'm sure going to miss them when it's over. While I was at the park getting ready to take their pictures, Brittany pulled me aside and told me that one of her teammates who rode over to the park with her had cracked her windshield. We couldn't really talk about it with everyone standing around, but I didn't get the impression that it was anything of much concern. Well, she mentioned it to Chris when she got home and we all went out to take a look at it. There's about a 12" crack in her windshield on the passenger side! Apparently, her teammate thought there was a spider on the inside of the window and punched at it with her fist. Well, she must have hit it pretty hard for it to have cracked as badly as it did. Chris called her father and told him about it, which was very awkward for him to do. Thankfully, his daughter told him what had happened, so he apologized and agreed to have it fixed. He was very nice about it...thank goodness. So, looks like Brittany will be getting a new windshield soon. Here's what it looks like...

As they say, when it rains it POURS! Speaking of which, there is no rain in the forecast for Saturday, so the girls should have perfect running weather! Yippee!

I have a busy day ahead, but I'll try to get around to visiting all of you sometime today. Thanks for always bearing with me!

SMACK!

I, thoroughly, enjoy participating in "Wordful Wednesday" hosted by Angie over at 7 Clown Circus. I love the opportunity she gives us to showcase a photo(s) and to tell the story behind it. Well, the photo I'm sharing this week is definitely a favorite of mine.

I took this picture of Chris and my mom about 13 years ago. They were sitting outside on her front porch steps and, out of the blue, Chris put his arm around her and planted a big ol' smoochie right on her cheek! She didn't see it coming, at all! I'm so glad I happened to have my camera in hand ready to snap away. Brittany almost looks like she's trying to pull her crazy daddy away from her Mamaw! My mom absolutely adored Chris...and he adored her, too! He had her wrapped around his little finger. Anytime we'd go for a visit, she'd always bake him his favorite pie, Coconut Cream. She waited on him hand and foot...and he loved every second of it! I was even beginning to think that she loved him more than she loved me! I can't tell you the times he's told me over the years how much he misses my mom and how much fun he always had with her. He was constantly picking at her about something and seized any opportunity he had to play practical jokes on her. One, in particular, comes to mind. When Chris graduated from Airborne Ranger school, he had his picture taken in full uniform. Well, some of them didn't turn out too well. In one shot, his eyes were half-closed and my mom thought it was the worst picture! I let it slip that Mom didn't think too much of it. Well, Chris took it upon himself to wrap one of those pictures up in a beautiful package and give it to her at Christmas. When Mom opened it, she burst into laughter and said, "Oh, no!" Chris teased that he expected her to display it above her mantel. She told him that was a definite NO GO! Well, it didn't stop there...Chris, also, taped one of those pictures to the inside of the toilet lid for Mom to find...and she did! It's something they both laughed about for awhile! I'm so thankful they had such a close relationship.

Be sure to head on over to Angie's place and see what all you've been missing!

"Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live."~Author Unknown

P.S. More questions and answers coming tomorrow!

I Remember MOM...

Sunday is, of course, Mother's Day. It will be a day when I relish in being a mom. What an incredible journey it's been and one I wouldn't trade even if I could! I love my girls with every ounce of my being. I would swim the deepest sea and climb the highest mountain just for them.

Mother's Day, however, is also a day for me to remember my mom and best friend who passed away in November of 2000. She fought a brave and courageous fight against breast cancer and died at the age of 68. Hardly a day goes by that I don't think of her. She was so much a part of who I was, and continue to be. She taught me about faith, compassion, understanding, forgiveness, and selflessness. She made our house a HOME. She filled it with love, laughter, and endless memory-making moments. Her sense of humor was infectious! She never passed up an opportunity to laugh at herself. We used to have some major "giggle fests"! Oh, the messes we could get ourselves in! I still recall so vividly the softness of her hand in mine and how the skin on her face felt like velvet. I always thought she was the most beautiful and smartest mom around. She supported me through all of my growing up years and allowed me to confide in her about anything and everything. I knew she always had my best interests at heart.

I was blessed beyond measure to have Mom in my life. Yet, I still can't help but feel like I was robbed. We still had so much to see and do together! Brittany was only 8 and Abby was just 4 when Mom passed away. My heart aches knowing all the time she missed with them! Mom would have LOVED watching them grow into the beautiful young ladies they are today. I think she would have enjoyed hearing about some of the "trials" I've gone through as a mother...and probably would have laughed herself silly! I wish I would have had her around to ask how to do this, or what I should do about that. No one offers better advice, in my book, than your own mother.

Even though Mom was taken from me much too soon, I still have a heart that's filled with gratefulness for even having her in my life, at all. My prayer is that she's looking down on me from Heaven with the satisfaction of knowing that I've done everything I can to carry on her legacy of love. Her memory is being kept alive because I share stories about her all the time with my girls. I want them to understand what a remarkable person she was and how much she meant to me.

So, on this Mother's Day, I hope and pray that if you're lucky enough to still have your mom around, you won't pass up any chance you've been given to tell her you love her and to thank her for all she's done. For those of you who are moms, I hope your Mother's Day is special in every way and that you're surrounded by those who love you. For those of you who are struggling to become a mother, please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and that you, one day, will have the desires of your heart.

"A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us, when adversity takes the place of prosperity, when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us, when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts."~Washington Irving


P.S Tomorrow night is Brittany's first prom...pray that all goes well! I'm sure I'll have pictures to share with you next week!

The Wind Beneath My Wings...

It's time for Friday's Favorite Family Foto hosted by Deborah of Pictures, Pots, and Pens. Head on over there and check it out!

Today, I've decided to share some more pictures of my mom and I. We had a very close relationship and I'm so grateful to have had her in my life.

From a very young age, Mom was the one who taught me the true meaning of unconditional love.She was always my biggest fan and cheerleader!
She showed me how to be nurturing to all creatures...
Even to wiggly ones with cold, wet noses!
She was a talented seamstress and always made dresses that made me feel beautiful! She could also bake a mean Coconut Cream Pie completely from scratch. She was my dearest friend and confidante, the mender of my heart, and, often, my partner in crime! Though she's been gone now for just over 8 years, not a day goes by that I don't think of her. God blessed me with a mom who was a MOTHER in every sense of the word. She was giving, compassionate, understanding, and had a heart of pure GOLD. I strive everyday to be more like her, but I'll never be able to fill her shoes...no matter how hard I might try. She was one of a kind and I miss her more than words can say.

There was a "Dear Abby" article that I came across a few years back entitled "Too Late". The last line speaks volumes..."I pray to God that those who still have their parents to visit, do so, and show their love and respect while there is still time, for it's later than you think." Don't allow another day...another moment to slip by...time is so precious!

"All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother."~Abraham Lincoln


P.S. My friend, Rambling Gal, is having a giveaway...check it out!

Hummingbird Adoration

It's Blue Monday, again, hosted by my friend, Sally, over at Smiling Sally. Participants are supposed to post things that are blue. Pop over when you get a chance and see what everyone else is sharing today!

My mom, pictured below, was known for many things. She was an excellent pie baker...her Coconut Cream Pie would put any one's to shame! She had an incredible talent for growing plants and flowers. She, of course, was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was, also, known for having a deep appreciation for hummingbirds. She always had a hummingbird feeder hanging from her front porch and she loved to watch them buzzing by for a quick fill-up. She'd often get amazed by how many would congregate at the feeder at one time. It was because of her passion for these fascinating creatures that she decided to start collecting hummingbird figurines and plates. When she passed away in 2000, it was handed on to me. I have most of Mom's hummingbird collection displayed in a curio cabinet, but these plates are hanging on a wall in our sunroom...not sure why the color of the wall looks different in each of these pictures. I can assure you that I painted all the walls in the sunroom exactly the same color!
And here's a couple of her hummingbird figurines with some touches of blue on them.

Each time I look at an item in Mom's collection or see an actual hummingbird in flight, I can't help but think of her...and remember.

"My Mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. I attribute all my success in my life to the moral, intellectual, and physical education I received from her."~George Washington



P.S. My girls will be SO excited! We received our first snow of the season yesterday! It snowed non-stop from the time we got home from church until about 7 PM last night. It was so beautiful, but it didn't really stick...the ground was too wet. They kept hoping that school would be cancelled, but by 10 PM, still no word. I rose this morning at 5 AM to check the news and, lo, and behold...SCHOOL IS CANCELLED! I'm guessing that with the falling temps over night, the roads are icy in some spots. They are going to be thrilled to sleep in...I'm off to crawl back in bed for a little more shut-eye myself! I'll check in with each of you later on today.

Dustin' Off Old Photographs

First and foremost, I would like to inform you that my dear friend, Sandy Toes, featured ME today for her Favorite Blog Friday! I am SO excited about it...she made my day! Please take the time to pop over and check it out...Sandy is a very special person with a wonderful blog...I know you won't be disappointed!

Alrighty, my friend, Deborah, hosts Friday's Favorite Family Foto. Since it sounded like lots of fun, I thought I'd join in, as well!

I have always loved to look at old photographs, even when I was a young girl. It's like taking a step back in time! This photo shows my paternal grandparents, Grandma and Grandpa Martin. I'm not exactly sure how old they were in this photo, but they look pretty young. My grandpa used to call Grandma his "Black Eyed Susan" (like the flower) because her eyes were very dark, and her name was Susie. I love how they were dressed and wonder where they were going all "gussied up"? My grandpa died when I was around 9 or 10 years of age, so I don't have a lot of memories of him. My grandma died when I was in my mid-20's and she was a very strong Christian woman whose family meant everything to her. Together, they had 5 sons and 3 daughters, along with lots of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, so their legacy continues!
This photo is of my mom (on the right) with her sister, Dorothy. I'd love to know whose shadow that is taking their picture. My mom grew up in Bandmill, Arkansas and times were very tough. She'd have to go with her family to work in the apple orchards of Washington state to earn money. I used to love hearing the story of her riding a train across the Snake River with her sister on the way to Washington. Can you imagine how scary that must have been to venture away from the only place she'd ever really known?
Here I am with my mom at 3 weeks of age. I cherish this picture because it captures the love we had for each other. Just look at how I'm looking staring up at her...we were tight! She was my best friend...EVER!
This picture makes me laugh! I'm in the middle and my brothers are on either side of me. My oldest brother, Mike, is standing next to me in the black shirt...acting "normal". Now, take a look at my other brother's face (Kevin). He was such a mess! He used to "surprise" Mom all the time with snakes he'd found...he could easily have been the American version of the "Crocodile Hunter"! Completely fearless and mischievous through and through! I hope you enjoyed taking a look at some of my old family photos. Hop on over to Deborah's blog and take another stroll down memory lane! Have a super weekend, everyone!!!♥


P.S. I would like to give a BIG SHOUT OUT to my sweet friend, Ruby Red Slippers ! Just a few days ago, I commented on how much I liked her new blog header. Well, she wrote me an e-mail telling me how to create my own and what to do. I designed it myself, but when "computer savvy Abby" got home from school, we read over the instructions she sent me and we had it up in no time flat! So, THANK YOU, Ruby Red Slippers from the bottom of my heart...you're a real lifesaver! :)