Mommy's 1st Birthday in Heaven.
Today is a very bittersweet day for us, as it marks our mother’s first birthday in Heaven. While the pain of no longer having her with us is deep, we take comfort in the fact that she is spending her birthday with the person who loved her most in this world — her beloved mother Clara. And though our mother may be gone from our earthly lives, the lessons and love she gave us will be with us, and our children, forever.
Those who knew our mother knew she was had a beautiful heart filled with compassion. She was also a natural born connector, connecting people to others and to God. She was also extremely humorous, sometimes without trying to be. And in the spirit of her wonderful humor and her lifelong commitment to protecting her children from every danger known to man (we joked that she subscribed to Tragedy magazine), we thought we’d share some of our favorite advice from our mother.
“Be careful of falling bath tubs at the Home Depot. Do you know more people get crushed each year?”
“Always wear clean underwear in case you get in an accident.”
“Stay away from heated car seats, more people burn their asses off on those.”
“Don’t throw that food away. Freeze it!” (Note, our mother’s solution for nearly any problem in life was to freeze it.)
“If you just pick up after yourself, your house will look clean.”
“Never go to bed mad at your spouse.” (Patty broke that on the Honeymoon)
“Put baby oil on countertops to give them a healthy sheen.”
“There’s nothing worse that walking into a house and seeing dusty curtains.”
“What does your husband think of you not having dinner waiting for him?”
“If you make your eyes go cross-eyed, they will get stuck that way.”
“Don’t pluck. It just makes hair grow back faster.”
“Your hair is flat. Do you want me to tease it?” (we didn’t have the heart to tell her we were against bullying.)
“Never sit on public toilet seats. They are loaded with germs.”
“Take your rings off when making meatballs. They’re loaded with germs.” (She insisted on telling this to Gina who doesn’t cook).
“Wash your hands after church.”
“Do you know what has the most germs in a hotel room? The TV clicker. Make sure to pack Lysol.”
“Don’t tell people where you are on Facebook.” (She was not at all happy when Gina posted that picture of Patty hanging on the Liberty Bell).
“Drink 8 glasses of water a day.”
“Can I ask a personal question. How often do you pee?”
What advice did your Mom have for you growing up? We’d love to hear it.
My mom lost her battle with cancer on January 3rd, 2011. One month after my daughter was born (sadly, she never got to meet her), and three months before my son was diagnosed with classic, non-verbal autism. Two very life-changing experiences that a girl needs her mom for 🙁
Mom’s words of advice: “If it doesn’t fit, make it.”.
I always repeat that phrase when cramming something into a container 🙂
My mother was famous for saying ” If you don’t have anything nice to say then don’t say anything at all” Good advise that she could live by and I try to.
I loved the one about the car seat heaters, LOL! What a loving mom. Im sure you must miss her but youre keeping her memory alive… all you can do, right?
Lost my beloved mother 3 years ago. I REALLY miss her calling all (6) of her kids when Daylight Savings Time would change to remind us to change our clocks and our smoke alarm batterys. She also had a plaque made for our baby sister when she moved into her own apartment — Lock Door, Turn off Lights, Love Mom.
When we were on our own, if you coughed or sneezed in front of her she wanted you to stay over to get better.