Memories of My Mom

My Mom, in the 40's in San Francisco

Three Years ago today, I lost my Mom, just shy of her 91st Birthday. She was my "Bestest" Friend and a woman I can only aspire to be. Truly. She had me late in life, at 40, which was pretty much unheard of back in the 1950's.

Of course, I can tell you many a story about my mom. She, and the rest of her family immagrated to the US from Germany in 1929,,,,the culmination of the American Depression, with next to nothing.

Yeah, I know, You don't want a History lesson, but if you want to know a bit more about me, then, you'd need to know about my mom, who came from two rather artistocratic families that fell on hard times after WWI and prior to the full outbreak of WWII.
My mother, was born into two educated, well-bred families long establihshed- one Dutch, and one German,,only to grow up ,,,,,on a struggling Farm in the rurals of Eastern Washington State.

She packed one suitcase  with two dresses she'd made, after High School Graduation and attended the University of Washington. She never finished her degree, but went on to get a certificate in Business Administration......and moved to San Francisco......

Well, as you would imagine, in the years that followed, her personal  life and her career took many paths. She worked in Fashion, Industry, Finance and Business in San Fransico,  and then eventually, Education, Government and Real Estate in Washington State.  And Mom? She could cook a great dinner, sew a dress for me and be in the office on Monday to start/finish,,,,whatever projects she had at hand.

"Nice Story Shell. But WHY are you sharing this??"

On this Anniversary of her passing, I need to say "Thank you" to my Mom. I'm not famous. I am not Rich, and I won't go down in the archives of American History. BUT,,,,,,,I was brought up to believe "I could be anything I wanted to be. I could learn anything I wanted to learn. I could DO whatever I wanted to do. "

My mother was also a "Saver." She lived her life as a Child of the Depression. "Save a Penny, save a Dollar." You need to understand, that this came from a woman that lived the first 13 years of her life in a dwelling  built on the Rhine in the 1500's, a prominent family, complete with  mulitiple servants. To give it ALL up and literally pick Apples in the Yakima Valley?

I could draw up a glossary of all the things she went on to do and accomplish in her life. But Truly?  Three years later, I have to thank her for making me believe I could DO anything I wanted to do. I could BE anyone I wanted to be. Thanks mom! For everything! I miss you and admire YOU everyday!

If you've gotten THIS far in my post, and you still have YOUR mom,,,,let her know that you love her. Thank her for her wisdom and her history that has made YOU who YOU are!!!

Hugs and LOVE,,,,,,to YOU and your Mom(S)!
Shell