Five Memories of my Mom and Special Birthday for my Sister
Recently, I was prompted to “Introduce” myself, my blog, etc. and I started to tell my Life Story. My life is not amazing weird or different, but I have some strong emotions when it comes to my mom. As I left things in the last post, it seemed that I had only negative feelings about my mom, but I have some wonderful memories of my mom and I want to share them with my younger sister, B, for her birthday tomorrow. My mom passed away 5 years ago and my sister is pregnant with her first baby. B will be 29 on her birthday and when she has her first baby. Mom was 29 when she had B. I want to share these memories with B so she can have happy memories of mom and can enjoy her pregnancy and her first baby.
Five Memories of my Mom and Special Birthday for my Sister
1. Yellow Rose of Texas
My mom loved all roses, but she especially loved yellow roses. When I was growing up, we had a small rose bush on the far corner of our house that would randomly grow a rose. It was a different color almost every time it grew and I can remember my dad bringing it in to my mom when it was in full bloom. I picked up a yellow climbing rose bush for my sister’s special birthday bag.
2. Sno-Caps Nonpareils
Mom loved dark chocolate and she especially loved nonpareils. When I was young, there was a mall we would visit from time to time. I don’t remember what mall or where it was, but it had a candy store. We didn’t get to buy much, but I remember my mom always buying nonpareils. My little sister loves these as well and I’m not sure if that is because Mom liked them or if she just really likes them. Who knows…I needed to put them in her special gift bag.
3. Magazines (especially Reader’s Digest)
Mom loved to read magazines. She mostly only read Reader’s Digest or the TV Guide (which was a special treat in our house). I think she secretly liked to read romance novels, too, but she rarely had them around. It might have been taboo or something. I don’t think my little sister reads much, but I found this Fit Pregnancy magazine and some of the articles seemed like something she would enjoy. She has been “studying” her What to Expect books and asking a lot of health related questions.
4. Lotion for dry skin
Mom always took excellent care of her skin, especially her hands. The tricky thing about Mom was that she was allergic to scents (just like me) and she couldn’t just pick up any lotion available. Mom had especially dry hands because she worked in a jeans factory so she had to keep them hydrated. Lotions like NIVEA Essentially Enriched are great for extra dry hands. A while back I held a Spa at Home party with my sister and her friends so I knew B would like the lotion again. The NIVEA lotion at Sam’s Club is such a great value that I took another trip to Sam’s Club to pick up a new package for her and reminisce about my mom’s love of beauty products.
5. Special Notebook for Lists and Notes
My mom always had a special notebook that she kept by the phone for taking notes or making grocery lists. I remember looking at it after she passed away and seeing just a glimpse of what she had been planning and what she had been doing before she died. I’ve noticed that B has a similar notebook that is always by her computer. I think she keeps track of her bills along with other notes. One of my favorite things to do in my mom’s notebook (and B’s and a little notepad in my dad’s office) was to open the notebook to a random page in the middle and leave a special note. You never know when that person will get the note, but I can guarantee they will get it on the exact day that they need it.
Something Special just for B
I couldn’t help myself when I was looking at candy so I grabbed a package of Sour Skittles. B said she has been craving them and cannot get enough of them since she has been pregnant. I’m sure there is some deficiency somewhere that she should be filling with something healthy, but hey…you’re only pregnant with your first child once. I say she should live it up and enjoy every second of it! If mom were still here, she would tell B the exact same thing.
Stay Connected (to Loved Ones and to Memories)
As I mentioned, my sister is pregnant with her first baby and she is struggling emotionally. She was very close to my mom and mom’s death has hit her extremely hard. Because I feel like I “raised” her for the beginning of her life (long story…another time), this also hits me very hard. I don’t like to see B struggle and I want to be there for her again. She mentioned that she is already worried about who will be in the delivery room with her because all she really wants is Mom to be with her. She and I have a lot to talk about!
Mom passed away in August 2007 and my son was born in February 2008. She knew I was pregnant, but her “last words” to me (over the phone and through B) were “boy or girl” and I didn’t know at that time. Being able to spend some time together with B and talking about memories of my mom, talking about being a mom, and talking about how to take care of yourself as a woman (pamper yourself, get time alone, keep your skin healthy, etc) is the perfect way for us to stay connected as sisters (and friends) and staying connected to our memories.
Lovely story about preserving memories. My mom loved roses too. Thanks for bringing me back to her memory for a few moments today. Warmly -Joan
Oh, I’m so glad you were able to think of her through my post! Thanks for stopping by as well.
Roses always make me think of my mom. She has always had a rose garden that she takes special care of every summer. When I was little, I would go out with her, put on my little gardening gloves, and “help” her.
Great post! Your sister is a lucky girl. There is nothing better then a sister. They know you like nobody else and they are always there for you. I love spending time with my sister. I hope your sister had a great birthday.
I have negative memories of my mom too. I do have family pictures and have scrapbooked many of them doing my best to focous on the good things. I took care of my mom for 7 years and at that time she had stopped drinking.
That is such a sweet and thoughtful thing to do for your sister. I’m so glad I have siblings. My daughter will turn 2 in April and she has a half sister from my husband but they have a 9 year difference between them. I would love to give my liitle one a sibling closer in age but honestly am not ready for another child.
I enjoyed reading about your memories. Life really is short and I am upset that my mom has chosen to live 2500 miles away from us.
This is so absolutely sweet and reminds you to take life slow because it goes by fast.
It’s always lovely to share good memories with loved ones. Happy Birthday and Happy Baby!
I think it’s wonderful what you are doing for your sister. I am certain she will love everything you’ve put together. She is lucky to have such a loving sister.
Please remind yourself that being a parent isn’t always easy, and some people struggle with that more than others. I was a single mom through most of my older 4 childrens’ young lives. I was rarely around because I had to work so much. I know there was a time they resented me for it. I resented myself for it, and sometimes still do. We just have to do the best we can with what we are given. My oldest four are all grown up now, into wonderful adults. We’ve ‘mended our fences’, and they seem to understand our past. We have a beautiful future ahead of us now though. I’m sure your mother felt badly for any undue stress she put you through growing up. I’m also sure she is looking down and watching over you and your sister now.
In spite of everything, God loves us all. He is always there for us. You have a wonderful heart!
This is really sweet.
I like all of the items that you are giving to your sister! I like Roses too! I like the Sour Skittles! And at my age, I would love to get the Nivea dry lotion! My mom is in heaven now, but we had such great birthday parties for her. I remember one party where we decorated the house in a Hawaiian theme because Hawaii was her favorite place that she ever visited! We had non alcoholic mai tais and we wore leis! It was so much fun. I would like to find my sister’s favorite things and get them for her birthday.
That is really really sweet!! Bet she will cherish this post!
I was actually surprised that she liked as much as she did. Sometimes remembering all the good just pushes the not-so-good further back in your memory.
well i can tell you my grandma was a granma she had 35 grand kid and 34 great grand when i wa there and then she would make each of the grand kid cake for birtday and then she made me a ake with my aunt for my 16 and then they made a 4 tear care doll one she put the c andle all around it and then they decide to light them upwell it hard to blow 16 candle out aournd a 3 ft round cake
What a neat grandma! Thank you for telling me about her.
Touching post. Thanks for sharing and Happy Birthday to your sister! So sorry you lost your Mom…your sister is very lucky to have a sister like you!
All three of us (I have an older sister and younger sister) are really blessed to have such a great relationship with each other.
The candy store was actually part of the Sears at the Tyler mall…I always tell that story of mom getting her nonpareils and me and dad getting malt balls…
She would also buy the hershey miniatures and nobody else was allowed to eat the Special Dark..they were for her. Now, that is the first one I grab! LOL!
These are some very special memories…I had forgotten about her lists…
Glad you two can be together…wish we all lived closer together…feel like I am missing out on some very special talks and memories being made. Love ya’ll!
We wish you were closer, too, Stacie!! Love you!!