SIMONE

I remember how my mom would wake us up on our birthdays with a gift. It was always a fun surprise! I specifically remember how on my 11th birthday she surprised me with a beautiful watch. It was my first one and I put it on my wrist right away, and wore it all the time. Since then, I always have to have a watch on me…it feels strange if I don’t…

I could only say good things about my mom and I would not be exaggerating. She was kind, soft spoken, generous and easy going. Her favorite bumper sticker said, “God Loves You and I’m Trying”. I’ve never known another person like her and am so grateful to have had her for a mom. I love my mom very much. The two of us loved to laugh. One of the funniest moments she ever told me was about the time she was walking pass our bathroom and noticed the dog lying on his back, legs straight in the air, propped up against the bathtub. She thought, “Oh my God, the dog died!” She was babysitting for us and we were out of town. She didn’t know what she was going to do, let alone ruin our trip. As it turned out, it was just the dog’s way of keeping cool and I never mentioned to her that he liked to do that. Poor mom. We had a good laugh about it later.

One memory that always comes to mind about my mom is whenever I was not feeling well. I lived in Illinois and when ever I was sick my mom would come into my room, while I was showering, and change the sheets on my bed and open my window to let in the fresh and sometimes very cold air. It would make my room smell and feel so fresh. When I would come back in my room I would instantly feel better getting between those wonderful smelling ice-cold sheets. Thanks Mom for always taking care of me.

One memory I have is that my mom was always humming or singing. She usually sang the harmony. Her and dad would always listen to Lawrence Welk and play record albums of Steve and Edie Gourmet, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, Perry Como, Andy Williams, and others. There was a lot of music at our house. I suppose that’s why I know the words to hundreds of songs and so do MY kids.

It took me awhile to think of a “special memory”. There’s so many; some happy, others not so happy. But by far, my mother has been so influential in my life: who I am, how I do things, and being creative. One day, after my sister and I returned from school, to our surprise, our mother had decorated our bedroom. She sewed in matching fabric, the curtains, lampshade, bed comforters, laundry hamper. My sister and I, for the first couple of days slept on the floor because our bedroom looked too pretty. Thank you, MOM.

My mom is a wonderful and kindhearted person. I remember when we were little she used to sing us to sleep and I would go to bed thinking that she had the most beautiful voice. She is always supportive, and we love to do many of the same things. My mother has always taken care of me, and she still does. I’m extremely proud to have so much in common with her, to look like her, and to be her daughter. I love you mom.