This is a tribute to my Mom.
Her name is Zelda and she is a very unique person. She had an ordinary life in most ways. She is a wife, mother, and grandmother. Her days are spent in supervised care now as she can no longer take care of herself at home. It has been almost five years since we had to make that awful decision to leave home, never to return again.
My Mom never worked outside the home since the day my Dad asked her to marry him. He believed in taking care of the family by providing financially and she took care of the family at home. It was a long time ago when one income could do that. It was a frugal life but a happy one. Dad came home by 5:00pm and went to the garden to pick some onions and peppers and tomatoes. Fresh veggies were always on the table and supper was ready by 5:30pm every day. Just like clockwork, no one had to ask when supper would be ready.
After dinner, there was time to talk and visit with eachother. Mom was a coffee drinker and every evening, the kitchen table was the meeting place for conversation for the neighbors and the family. A slice of pie or cake was the reward for youngsters listening to old stories.
Mom loved music and could play the piano very well. She did not read music. She played by ear. It was a gift she had since childhood. Her Dad was a music teacher and band director. He was always amazed at how she could play. She could play anything and if you hummed a tune, she would play it. Her favorite was ragtime and she could make those keys move. At the end of the song, she would add a little tune of her own. It was her signature and then she'd laugh out loud. Everyone loved it when she played.
Her quick wit and winning smile could charm anyone and she made friends easily. After Dad died, she would go to her favorite coffee shop every morning for breakfast to meet and talk with anyone who would give her an ear. She always had something silly to say and always made folks feel good about themselves. I would meet her there sometimes and I was amazed at how many friends she had and how her interest in their lives helped them feel better. She taught me many things about human nature and about the simple but most important things in life. She never had a lot of money, never had been to college, rarely did anything out of the ordinary but her life is remarkable in many ways. Her confidence never waivered. She knew who she was and was comfortable in being Zelda.
Her children knew she was there for them and was their greatest fan and supporter. Her friends were lifelong and she was loyal to them. She was funny and always joking. Her little sayings would make you laugh even when you wanted to cry.
The funniest thing is when the nurses leave her room, everyone of them say "See you later alligator" and she replies "After a while crocodile". She has them all trained!
The care facility has not been a bad place for her. She has had the opportunity to see lots of people everyday and bring smiles to many. Maybe her sweet face will bring a smile to your heart too.
Happy Mother's Day, Mom. I love you so much.
Ricki Eichler, your Texas Hill Country connection www.reretx.com
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