Ordinary is underrated.
That's what my mother said. But for those of us who knew her, her life was anything but ordinary. What was extraordinary about her life was her ability to find great joy out of the simplest of pleasures.
A good cup of coffee.
A quote on the fridge.
A photo of a loved one.
A walk on the beach.
She was effortlessly beautiful. A natural beauty who shined in a simple white tee-shirt and blue jeans. Her gentle smile put everyone at ease. And for those who took the time to get to know her, they quickly found behind her gentle smile was a caring, thoughtful, funny, sweet women. She was filled with goodness.
Filled to the BRIM with goodness!
I think we only hope to seek out and find our purpose in this life. For my mom, she did just that. She found great pride, success and joy in being a wife, mother and grandmother. Always putting the needs of those around her before her own. She was quiet, a listener by nature and a nurturer by instinct. She made the days count. The good ones...the hard ones...the fun ones...the sad ones. She was present for all that life brought her way. She provided a hand to hold, a shoulder to lean on, a friend to laugh with. She was our glue, our cheerleader, wife, daughter, sister, mother and grammy!
Words obviously can't do her justice for all the good and joy she spread throughout her life.
As a young girl, afternoons were shared with her sister and best friend, Beth. The two spent many a day crafting and creating. Scrap fabric turned into tie-dyed pieces of art, trips for ice cream (bubble gum was my mom's favorite!), and days spent talking! Summer days on her dad's sailboat. A love of antiquing from her mom. Her childhood was simple and sweet.
High school brought a boy into her life. My mom was smitten by this tall, dark haired boy who, unlike her, was loud, an extrovert. He made her laugh. On a date to the movies he bought her an x-large popcorn and an x-large coke, one for her, one for him. It was love! A simple memory, yet it was one of her favorites! Then there was prom, and college and soon this boy asked her to marry him. This boy was the love of her life. He brought so much joy to my mom's life, and she to his. For better, for worse...for richer, for poorer...in sickness, in health. They had the love story we all dream about. He made her laugh every day of her life, and that above all else, was the greatest gift he gave her! She loved this boy, and I'm lucky to call this boy my dad!
They traveled the globe with the military. Her life proved to be quite adventurous, with multiple moves, many flights and trips to far away lands. I came along in Texas, then my brother Andrew in the Philippines, Austin in Arkansas and Lucas in South Carolina. Yet through all the changes, she somehow made sure that every place felt like home. It was the simple things that brought her comfort through all the change...a strawberry printed dish towel, a canning jar on the counter holding coffee beans, a photo, a seashell. She knew what mattered.