My Mother passed away this past week, Tuesday May 16th. She was 58. This was very unexpected and we’re still waiting to know how. I just wanted to share with everyone a little about her and her story.
She married my father early at the age of 17. She had 4 girls, me being the last when she was 25. She always worked very hard in making us girls feel conneced and well provided for. I remember watching her decorate cakes and marveled at how she was able to make them look like real objects. My favorite was one for my father. It was a treasure chest and was overfilled spilling with gold wrapped chocolate coins. She also made all of our clothes to wear on special occasions. She took pride in making us look very cute (for the 70’s).
This one was my favorite outfits as she bought us all platform white shoes. I felt like such a “big girl.”
I also cherish the ceramics she used to make. She made a life size version of our doberman FiFi. I loved that and remember hugging it after my dog had passed. I would hug it as a way to re-connect with FiFi. Thankfully, I still have all my ceramics she made for me.
She loved to travel with my sister and had visited many beach destinations. She really was very proud of all of us girls. It’s hard to see that when you don’t have the idea that someone might not be there the next day. But while me and my sisters have been cleaning out her apartment, we have found her to be very organized in saving every little detail about her 4 girls. It’s so interesting to see all the flowers she has saved from all of our weddings, the step stool I made her in 7th grade, email messages from us printed out, graduation booklets…etc. She loved to brag about her girls and grandkids. She attended so many functions and supported so many aspects of our lives. Again, we didn’t really think about it then. She was there through so many aspects that wouldn’t seem important to many people. Like the Halloween parades at my niece and nephews schools or just coming to the gym to watch me teach a TurboKick class.
She had taken to learning the computer and really enjoyed emailing. She liked to tan as well as go to the gym. She would go to workout at all hours everyday. She really found a way to enjoy working out. She also was one of the biggest Elvis fans. I remember so many days of watching her get ready while Elvis played. She had tickets even to go to one of his shows in Utica, but then that never happened because…well we all know what happened to Elvis.
I’ve learned a lot of lessons from my mom, even though she didn’t raise me. I’m glad that I have taken the interests that she had such as sewing, and “eating” cake rather than making. But, I will also take a strong sense that nothing comes easy in life. We have to work to get what we want or would like. Even when you have nothing, you can make something out of it, and be proud. Just like our dresses.
We love you mom and will forever remember you and show Johnny who Nana was.
