Senior in the House!
My mom is 4'11" full of vim and vigor.
She may shuffle along like a 100 year old locomotive but, believe you me she is sassy and spunky enough to take on a raging bull if it really, really ticks her off! Ree (as the grand/great grand kids call her) came to live with me four years ago after my father passed away.
We had been estranged nearly 30 years because I left home shortly after high school to escape an abusive environment.
I just could not stand by watching the way my dad controlled her, and yes, she allowed it.
That generation did so and endured the bad no matter how dreadful it became.
Despite my many persuasions and attempts to get her to leave, she stayed because she loved him.
When we reconnected, it did not take long to pick up where we had left off.
And believe me, it was a challenge having someone else occupying my space...
especially when she resumed the role of my mother like I was still 10 years old.
There were days I would turn crimson from embarrassment because she vocalized her opinion loudly when she saw a young lad with his jeans dropping below his butt exposing his underwear or, a sixteen year old with lip and eyebrow piercings.
"That wasn't allowed in my day!" She would bellow at the top of her lungs.
"God never intended a woman's face to look like a pin cushion!" She shared with every one whether they agreed or, not.
Yep, that's my mom.
After an evening out with friends once, I had tip-toed quietly into the house so as not to wake her.
If I did, there was always a thousand questions or, she shared her opinion as to whether she felt I was out to late.
Lord forbid, if I came in slightly tipsy! That evening you would have thought I did have a little too much "Veno" when I went sailing across the room because she decided to rearrange my furniture and placed a stool where I never expected to find it in the dark.
Yep, that's my mom.
Her way was always better.
Gotta love her, though...
I'm sure many of you feel my pain and have similar stories to share.
However, one thing is certain...
I would not want to change anything about our arrangement.
Just recently, I lost my mother-in-law whose body & mind was debilitated by Alzheimer's.
It was a devastating blow to watch this vibrant, gorgeous, precious part of our lives waste away to a fraction of the person who loved us unconditionally and passed away not knowing who we were.
Every day I thank the Lord for giving me the courage to show up at my dad's wake and reconnect with my mom again.
I may not have her for long...
but then, she has enough gumption to even outlive me.
Every day will be an adventure...
some will make me cringe, some will be peppered with surprises, many will be creating memories of moments shared.
One thing is certain...
I will cherish and take each and every one happily as they come along.
She may shuffle along like a 100 year old locomotive but, believe you me she is sassy and spunky enough to take on a raging bull if it really, really ticks her off! Ree (as the grand/great grand kids call her) came to live with me four years ago after my father passed away.
We had been estranged nearly 30 years because I left home shortly after high school to escape an abusive environment.
I just could not stand by watching the way my dad controlled her, and yes, she allowed it.
That generation did so and endured the bad no matter how dreadful it became.
Despite my many persuasions and attempts to get her to leave, she stayed because she loved him.
When we reconnected, it did not take long to pick up where we had left off.
And believe me, it was a challenge having someone else occupying my space...
especially when she resumed the role of my mother like I was still 10 years old.
There were days I would turn crimson from embarrassment because she vocalized her opinion loudly when she saw a young lad with his jeans dropping below his butt exposing his underwear or, a sixteen year old with lip and eyebrow piercings.
"That wasn't allowed in my day!" She would bellow at the top of her lungs.
"God never intended a woman's face to look like a pin cushion!" She shared with every one whether they agreed or, not.
Yep, that's my mom.
After an evening out with friends once, I had tip-toed quietly into the house so as not to wake her.
If I did, there was always a thousand questions or, she shared her opinion as to whether she felt I was out to late.
Lord forbid, if I came in slightly tipsy! That evening you would have thought I did have a little too much "Veno" when I went sailing across the room because she decided to rearrange my furniture and placed a stool where I never expected to find it in the dark.
Yep, that's my mom.
Her way was always better.
Gotta love her, though...
I'm sure many of you feel my pain and have similar stories to share.
However, one thing is certain...
I would not want to change anything about our arrangement.
Just recently, I lost my mother-in-law whose body & mind was debilitated by Alzheimer's.
It was a devastating blow to watch this vibrant, gorgeous, precious part of our lives waste away to a fraction of the person who loved us unconditionally and passed away not knowing who we were.
Every day I thank the Lord for giving me the courage to show up at my dad's wake and reconnect with my mom again.
I may not have her for long...
but then, she has enough gumption to even outlive me.
Every day will be an adventure...
some will make me cringe, some will be peppered with surprises, many will be creating memories of moments shared.
One thing is certain...
I will cherish and take each and every one happily as they come along.
