Christmases Past

It's approaching Christmas- another holiday which we will celebrate without Mom for the first time.  I have started to go through her pictures and have found some of our visits-to-Santa photos and a couple of Brian and Bill.  Mom and Dad made such a wonderful life for us and Christmas was always a joyful time- such happy memories.  We were so lucky.

I love these photos.  It took Eileen several years before she could see Santa without crying. Monica wasn't too sure either.

 

Mom's Birthday

Mom's Birthday- August 27

Mom would have been 95 years old tomorrow.  It's hard to believe that we won't be celebrating her birthday with her this year.  I think back to all the family birthday parties that we had for her and my favorite was her 80th when we hired the bagpiper.  Who can forget when we all sat out in the backyard talking and waiting for the bagpiper to come?  We could hear him loud and clear as he approached the backyard, but Mom, with her poor hearing, did not hear him until he actually came outside.  When she finally heard him and looked up and saw him, she said, "Oh, I love that!  I love that!" She was so happy!  That was such a fun party with dancing to the bagpipe and accordion.  Brian was there, too, which was really nice.  After dinner, we had a special show where everyone did something for Mom- Heather played her violin, Erika sang Mom and Dad's song "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered".  David juggled and the whole gang sang and danced with abandon.  I found some pictures from the party.  This is how I want to remember Mom and how much we loved her.

The sale of the house closed today.  I went over there for the last time and said goodbye to the house and all its wonderful memories.  I left the key and a note for the new owners and closed the door for the last time.

I remember all the games of horse we played on this driveway.

It was great to climb this tree and have some alone time.

We entertained ourselves playing hopscotch on this flagstone just inside the front door.

Goodbye 2602 Ponce.

I signed the closing papers on Mom's house today.  It's sad.  We have so many memories there.  A young couple bought the house.  They work at startups in the area.  Hopefully, they will raise a family and be very happy in that house.  We know there was a lot of love in it.  We left our mark on the house from our names and heights on the kitchen pocket door to the hand prints and Dad's initials on the back patio.  We imprinted on that small, cozy house in a wind tunnel in Belmont. 

Dad's initials were in the corner to the right of the blue bin.  Our hand prints were in the upper left next to the broom.

We were saying today how great it was that Mom got to stay in that house until the end of her life. What a strong woman she was. I like the poem that Cathy wrote on one of her recent birthdays.  She was some kinda woman.

Wouldn't she love to be watching the Giants this season? Here's a nice picture of her watching the Easter egg hunt last year.