Yesterday, I found an old address book that belonged to my mother - most, if not all the people listed have since "moved" to the same place where she and my dad reside. Throughout the book, scribblings made by my grand nieces when each was a toddler, over a period of 15 years. Each liked to sit at Great Granny's table/desk where every morning she sat with her coffee and the day's Washington Post crossword puzzle. On Sundays, also the New York Times - which generally took her all week to do. She would oft remark: "This is so wicked..." meaning tricky and truly a puzzle. And yet, by week's end, before the next Sunday, she'd have the puzzle solved.
Today marks the 13th year since Mama died. I remember her tenderness, her caring, gentle spirit. She was always there for us; we miss her so very much - the opportunity to talk, listen, learn, be consoled, encouraged ... appreciated. Mama was a rock, a very responsible, extremely intelligent woman, kind, considerate, Today, as everyday, my phone interrupts with sad, tragic, bad news, compounded by the news coming from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW and Capitol Hill. I so wish we could hear her "take" on these times. I can see her standing at the window, looking out and saying: "Come judgement day..."
My sister, oldest niece and I aren't too adept at stating the impact Mama had on us...we just know she did and we are ever.so.thankful. even if we can't quite put it into words. Thank you Mama for being you.