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Happy Mother's Day, Mom

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with CastNet Realty TREC#263257

 

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.

                                                                                             Mom

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

 

Comments (22)

Steve Shatsky
Dallas, TX

Hi Ricki... what a lovely and touching tribute to your Mom.  I can see her sparkle in your eyes!  Happy Mother's Day!

May 06, 2009 03:42 PM
Dale Baker
Baker Energy Audits and Commercial Properties Inspections - Claremont, NH
New Hampshire Relocation Real Estate Information

Howdy there Ricki

You sure do have a real fine mom. I sure do like the photo of her, she's got herself a real fine looken hat. I do know the name of them, I just never end up spelling it right.

Happy Mother day, to you and your mom.

God Bless America

May 06, 2009 03:53 PM
Judy Schneider
eXp Realty - Bellingham, WA

Hello Ricki,

You and you Mom look so much alike! She looks like a woman with alot of personality!! Thank You for Sharing and Happy Mothers Day to you both!

May 06, 2009 03:57 PM
Trey Thurmond
BCR Realtors - College Station, TX
College Station , Texas Homes

Ricki

It is obvious your mom is a very special and caring person. I hope she has a great Mother's Day!

May 06, 2009 04:05 PM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Hi Steve,   What a very nice compliment, one I will cherish.  Thank you.

May 07, 2009 01:23 AM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Hi Dale,   She has always enjoyed being the life of the party and even now she tries to liven things up.  I love this picture with her  sombrero.  It is so her!

May 07, 2009 01:25 AM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Hi Judy,   Thanks, you know people grow to look like eachother over time.  My Mom adopted me at birth.  That's another story I did not tell that adds to her specialness.

May 07, 2009 01:27 AM
Russell Lewis
Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate - Austin, TX
Broker,CLHMS,GRI

Ricki, this is beautiful, Thanks for posting this wonderfully written tribute! Best to you this coming Mother's day!

May 07, 2009 01:27 AM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Good morning Trey,    Thanks, we will.

May 07, 2009 01:28 AM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Thank you Russell,  I'm glad you enjoyed it and I wish every Mom a great Mother's Day too.

May 07, 2009 01:30 AM
Shirley Parks
Sands Realty 210-414-0966 - San Antonio, TX
Broker, 210-414-0966, San Antonio TX Real Estate

Ricki, Thanks for sharing that your Mom adopted you at birth.  That makes her even more special!

May 07, 2009 02:45 AM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Yes Shirley, it does.  It takes a special person to adopt children and do a good job.  There are many fears to overcome and etc.

May 07, 2009 02:58 AM
Alan Kirkpatrick
Austin Texas Homes - Round Rock, TX
Alan in Austin

Hi Ricki!

Thanks for your comments, Hope you are having a great week

May 07, 2009 09:40 AM
John Cannata
214-728-0449 http://TexasLoanGuy.com - Frisco, TX
Texas Home Mortgage - Purchase or Refinance

What a sweet story.  Happy Mothers day Zelda - See you later alligator.

May 07, 2009 11:37 AM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Hi Alan,    I am having a terrific week.  I have 3 new agents in 2 weeks.  That is something I have been praying for.  Hope you are doing well.

May 07, 2009 04:21 PM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Hi John,    Thanks for your wishes.  I'll tell her what you said and "After a while crocodile" :)

May 07, 2009 04:23 PM
Dale Baker
Baker Energy Audits and Commercial Properties Inspections - Claremont, NH
New Hampshire Relocation Real Estate Information

Howdy and good morning Ricki

Just wanted to stop by and drop off some flowers for you and your mom, for Mother's Day, my friend

Y'all have your selves a real fine and fun day, and also be sure to live it up!

God Bless America

May 09, 2009 06:44 PM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Howdy Dale,    Thank you ever so much for the beautiful flowers!  It's a great day!

May 10, 2009 06:19 AM
Marchel Peterson
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

Ricki, I missed this when you posted it but it sounds like you have a wonderful Mother.  I went to Colorado this weekend to surprise my Mother for Mother's day.  It was fun!! 

May 12, 2009 12:59 PM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Hi Marchel,  So glad you got to see your Mom.  We must appreciate them while they are with us.  What would we be without them?

May 12, 2009 03:15 PM