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Happy Birthday...Mom...Lessons with Mom-isms...

By
Real Estate Agent with EXP Realty 414-525-0563 57026-90 Broker

My Mom would be 98 today...if she were here to celebrate...after living with us for 6 months, she left quietly...memorably on Thanksgiving Day in home hospice just after dinner. She had a flair for the dramatic and a parentsBIG personality...leaving on a holiday we think was her memorable choice.  This is one of my favorite pictures of my parents and how my mind's eye sees them. Not quite 5' tall...her energy was boundless for most of her life. Sometimes as people age, the part of the brain that tells you to eat...shuts down...and as a result of course, things like balance are not maintained...and why she came to live with us...eating was "required"....per her physician...whatever she wanted and as much as she would eat.  Meals were by request...and always whatever snack she wanted well within her reach. Breakfasts of yogurt and bacon and an occasional egg. 

    Summer had peaked her appetite for corn on the cob. David went to a farmer's stand every day and that was her favorite lunch with whatever else we could coax her to eat. 

  We have lots of wonderful memories of her stay with us....and our life with her. David's Mom was taken from him early in his life..he had "our" Mom much longer than his own and they couldn't have loved each other more than they did., 

     One of my favorite stories about her was she was visiting in California and waiting for someone to return to the table with coffee. My Mother would talk to anyone and everyone...we always said if she took a bus to downtown Milwaukee, she would know everyone on it before she got off.  She was making "small talk"...though small was not her best thing...with a man at the next table.  "What did you do for a living?" he asked her..."I was a teacher and a Mother," she replied. The man looked at her thoughtfully...."Those are two of the most noble jobs there are," he commented.   She politely asked him the same question..."I am a producer/director." was his response and he left the coffee shop just as her coffee was being served.

       The Server queried my Mom..."Do you know who that was?" sheasked. "Oh some man who says he is a producer/director...and everyone says that in California."   The Server smiled...."It was Steven Spielberg." Phone home never had quite the same meaning after that...AND we bet that Mr. S. took some joy in having a "regular" conversation with someone who did not recognize him.

    Writing is an outlet for me...and comforting in many ways.,..today I am sorry for her loss in our lives and comforted by the many wonderful memories she has left us for a lifetime...She always said..."The good you learn at Mother's knee...the bad at other joints."  Soooo True...Thank you Mom...we try hard to make you proud of us every day and hold you in our hearts forever.  Sally, David, Magic and the kitty who became your nurse and fur-ever pal, Dini.

Posted by

Sally K. & David L. Hanson, ABR, CDPE, CSS, e-Pro,ILHM, REDS


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Comments (14)

Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Sally. This is so poignant and joyful too. I lost my Mom on Thanksgiving too and it has never been the same.

Oct 01, 2019 05:56 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

What a beautiful tribute to mom. I love the story about Mr. S. That conversation must have been enjoyable to both of them.

I am sure Mom is proud of all of you.

 

Oct 01, 2019 06:41 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

Your Mom was such a wonderful woman and I know that she is looking down upon you and very proud!

Oct 01, 2019 07:00 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Sally,  we learn so much from our mom's,  My mom would love to talk to customers in the restaurants and would make it a point to make friends all the time with strangers.  She pass that on to me at a young age, and I like to think I am good at small talk like she was.  God bless our MOTHERS!

Oct 01, 2019 07:53 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Good morning Sally - that is a touching tribute to your mom.  I lost my dad right before Thanksgiving.  My parents love and example are always with me.

Oct 01, 2019 07:58 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Thank you for sharing your touching memories of your mom. I miss mine every day.

Oct 01, 2019 08:16 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Sally and David - I like the memories you share.  Lots of good times.  

Oct 01, 2019 11:02 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Sally,

What a beautiful story of your Mom and the love and memories of her.  Thanks for the touching post.  A

Oct 01, 2019 11:10 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Sally you look a lot like your mother.  Hang on to the memories.

Oct 01, 2019 01:40 PM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Morning Sally.

Those memories will be with you forever, trust me I know. Cherish all the fond memories

Oct 02, 2019 12:30 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Good morning, Sheila, your post really touched me. Your mother sounds like a wonderful and unique person. My mother would have turned 100 just a week or so ago on September 25th and died 21 years ago on September 22nd, so she was much on my mind that entire week. Even after 21 years I still miss her.

Oct 02, 2019 01:22 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Sally K. & David L. Hanson,

What a wonderful tribute to your mom. I know in the future as time passes, you will remember all those fun times you had with your mom and a smile will cross your face. 

Oct 02, 2019 08:44 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Sally - you are blessed to have had your mom with you and David. I'd never heard the Steven Speilberg story but what a memorable one.

Oct 02, 2019 12:50 PM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

That was a great story!  My dad is almost 98 and eating well, living in his own home.  I'm up here helping him out right now. Your mom sounds like a wonderful person and I love that quote!

Oct 02, 2019 01:54 PM