"MOM"ORIES

POST # 295

You may have already pressed "play" and taken the time to listen to the song, "Wheels" featured above.  If you haven't, why not spend the less than two minutes it will take you to do so.  Why?  Well, if it has the same impact on you as it had with me all those years ago, and right up to this day, then it may put a smile on your face, and make you want to whistle, and perhaps even dance along.  It's a happy song and it brings back happy memories for me.

The reason for presenting it in today's post, is because it is one of those happy childhood memories that reminds me of my dear mom, or as she was known to her friends, Madonna.  You see, way back then, when this song came on the radio, and if mom and I heard it, moments later we would be dancing around the living room, and every time I play the song, it takes me back to that early period, and fills my head with very pleasant memories of her.

So you may ask, why does the pet/house sitter who usually has photos of furballs and boneheads on his blog, want to talk about an old song, and his mom today?  Good question.  The answer is that January 21st was mom's birthday, and so I decided to dedicate today's entry to her.  Too bad she's not still around to read it.  Today would have been  her 102nd birthday.

As just mentioned, that song always brings back happy memories of my mom, but to tell you the truth, I  can't honestly think of any memories of her, that weren't happy ones.  Perhaps because I was the youngest family member, and the only boy, she may have given me special treatment, but I'll never know.  My guess is that my four sisters would have similar happy memories of her.  If someone were to accuse me of being a momma's boy, then I plead guilty.  She was the best.

Mom was a regular at the local thrift store once a week, helping customers with their purchases.  From time to time I would be back in Calgary visiting, and if I was there on thrift store days, I would go to the store at the end of her shift, and along with her sister Rachel who also volunteered at the store, we would drive to the local pizza place afterwards for dinner and a visit.  It was always time well spent, with plenty of laughter to go around. My pleasant memories of mom traversed all the decades.

  Here she is behind the counter at the thrift store, on one of my visits.  I love this photo, as I think it shows mom's happy disposition which she managed to carry throughout her years.  At least that's my opinion.

MOM VOLUNTEERING AT THE THRIFT STORE (circa mid '90's)

We all inherit certain characteristics from our parents and the one characteristic that is at the core of my being and which I truly believe I inherited from mom was her happy disposition, and for that I am extremely grateful.  It's a part of mom that I will carry with me until my final day.  

And in conclusion for today's post, here is a recording of mom, perhaps the only one.  At least it's the only one that I know exists.  Some time ago, as I was scrounging around in my storage locker,  I came across this old tape, which was from an answering machine that I had on my phone when I lived in Melbourne, Australia. (An answering machine.  It sounds so quaint today).  Anyhow, when I lived in Melbourne I used to call mom every month to have a chat and tell her that I love her, but on this occasion she called the day prior, to let me know that she wouldn't be home as she was going to be attending the funeral of her sister, Marie.

I had forgotten that I even had this tape, and it was just a fluke that when I was playing it back, that I came across mom's message.  I'm glad that I did, and so I've included it here.  Of course it will only be special for anyone listening who knew her, but I thought it would be good to include it anyhow.  

I don't remember the specific date, but I'm pretty sure that one of my sisters or relatives would know the date of my aunt Marie's funeral.  This recording was made the day before that event.***

***UPDATE, courtesy of sister Gerry with regards to the date of when this tape was made.

"Auntie Marie died Apr. 28, 1997, so the Saturday would have been May 3rd.  A place in time."

Thanks Ger.

MADONNA, LONG BEFORE SHE BECAME MOM

living a life of simple acceptance,

Paul

The Thoughtful Wanderer