Cruise Director's list

We all decided that we would post our talks we gave at my Mom's funeral. Something we all dreaded, but had thought about for 6 weeks. She asked us all to do it, and how do you say no. Here it is, the short version.

My Mom is wonderful. I thought about what she would do in a situation like this. She would make a list. So, as cruise director of this family that is what I did, made a list of the things that made up my wonderful Mother.

• Watches-One for every holiday and every vacation she took with my Dad
• The Color Blue-Three different shades of blue carpet in her living room.
• Notes in the mail-Half the audience received a note from her.
• Three letters Q-V-C. She loved Northern Nights, Dominique, Fenton, and Breezy Bras
• Christmas sweaters-Enough that she could wear them from the Middle of October when she put up her tree until she took down her decorations after New years.
• The ability to know when she was needed-I understand now why it was so easy for her to jump on a plane and be in Vegas in an hour. I have felt that way for 6 weeks.
• Perms
• Amaryllis-Make it bloom before Christmas
• Spooky Old Tree-every time she read it to the boys they got the shiverings
• Daddy's Girl-She called my Grandpa Daddy, always
• Nails
• Girl Trips
• Lotion-Honeysuckle, Bath and Body Works brought it back just for her.
• Diet Coke
• Kleenex-We would forget to check her pockets when we did laundry. The dryer was full of them.
• Day after Thanksgiving sale-She didn't go because she wanted a good deal, she just liked being with Kelly and Julie.
• Shoes, Shoes, Shoes, and more Shoes-only comfortable ones
• Books-I have a drawer full at my house. She would leave them because I think she hoped I would read them.
• Stomach pills-It was easier to take a pill than quit eating the things that made it hurt.
• Robes
• Aprons-She had a special red one she used to fix Christmas morning breakfast
• Christmas Morning Breakfast-Her favorite thing about Christmas morning
• Motor home
• Notes on "The Counter"-She would always tell us, "If you go anywhere leave me a note".
• Christmas Everything-She had so many presents they filled the tree, so we had to get two trees.
• Law & Order-The episode would start, and she would say, "I've seen it."
• Her Christmas movies-"White Christmas" and "Miracle on 34th Street"

There are so many others but not enough time. we have been so blessed over the last few weeks. the tender mercies that we have received are amazing. we have been being prepared for this for a long time. Starting way back when the Lord gave me these amazing Brother and Sisters. Then again when we were choosing our spouses. I could never have gotten through this without all of them. I feel unworthy of this experience. I know that someday I will be with my Mom again. I know she is so proud. Proud of my Dad and my siblings. I love her, and will miss her.

In true Mom fashion, I want to give my family the advice she would give us today. "To everything there is a season", and "This too shall pass!'

My Brother and Sister and Sister are amazing. They have or are posting their talks, so catch up with their blogs and read them.