FOLEY'S FOLLIES

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Remembering my Mom.....


Mothers Day can be bittersweet when you no longer have her in your everyday life.  I spent this afternoon walking around my house taking pictures of all the things that reminded me of her.  Turns out there were quite a few things...



The Foundation Angel that was given to me by my Shooter friend, Sue.  It has the Eskimo Legend inscription.. Perhaps they are not stars in the sky but rather openings where our loved ones shine down to let us know they are happy.  Most of my sisters also have the same statue as a lovely reminder.

The Crucifix in my bedroom which was given to Mom and Dad on their Wedding Day in 1946 by the priest who married them, Father Farley, who was also a relative of Mom.  It is a Crucifix for the Annointing of  the Sick.  The middle slides up and holds a container of Holy Water and 2 small candles.

The "Ladies" hankie she gave to each of us girls at Christmas one year, with the handwritten message... Every young lady should at least own one real hankie, even if she never uses it!

The love seat she had in her living room.  I have it in my guest bedroom, no one is allowed to sit on it!

The handwritten recipe book she gave to each of her TEN children one Christmas.  She spent months writing out these old family recipes we grew up having.

The Pieta I gave her after a trip to Rome one summer.  She was as they say a "God-fearing" woman, who went to Church regularly.

The St. Francis of Assisi statue which reminded her of her Dad..Francis

A photo of Mom with her two sisters..you can tell it was taken in the 70's!  Luckily both sisters are still alive and well.  Always joked about anytime they were together and were eating something, ONE of them would spill on their blouse.  We told them it was because they were all so "well-endowed".

The wreath my Shooter pal, Sue, made me with some of the pink roses from Mom's funeral.  The little willow angel was given to me by my Aunt Lorraine.  She gave each of us girls an angel ornament that day.

One of her rosaries..she had a multitude of them.  Earlier this year my sister, Laurie, gave one of them to a friend of hers who was traveling back home to Ireland for a visit.  She had her bury it in her Irish homeland, a place she had always wanted to visit but never got the chance.

The vase with two angels I had filled with different shades of pink roses for the funeral.  It was a gorgeous bouquet and the flowers Sue used to make my wreath.

Lastly, a quilt handmade by Mom.  She made a total of ten quilts so that each of the kids could have one.  Some were full sized and some were like mine which was a lap sized. 

The middle photo was one of Mom taken on Sanibel Island picking up shells....

So, I will remember my Mom on this Mothers Day with smiles and a few tears and blow her a kiss to tell her I love her....



Wishing you all a very
 Happy Mothers Day.....

15 comments:

susan said...

I love this--It's the little things that permeate our lives and make memories! I love the Eskimo inscription. Hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day!

Cathy said...

What a beautiful post, Barb. I can imagine how much all your lovely mementos mean to you. Our memories are so precious.

Happy Mother's Day to you goo.

Mary Bergfeld said...

Barb, this was a really lovely post. Your Mother would love every word and picture of it. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Barb, this is such a beautiful post. What wonderful treasures you have from your mom-each of them so meaningful. She sounds like she was a wonderful mother. I know we will always miss our mothers, because there is nothing like a mother's love. I had never heard the little Eskimo story. That is beautiful. Loved your story about the sister's spilling food on their blouses! laurie

Kathleen said...

Very touching, Barb..and a wonderful idea to take pics of everything..
I have the same crucifix that was my parents. It is used when the priest brought Communion to the house for the sick., or for the last rights.
Beautiful post..you should do your event again next year!
Happy Mother's Day, dear friend!

Cynthia said...

Lovely, sentimental post, Barb ... Thank you for sharing pictures and descriptions of some mementos of your mother. ... Ten quilts and ten handwritten cookbooks, I can only imagine how much love when into all that work. And I've never heard the Eskimo saying, very inspirational.

Happy Mother's Day

Carol said...

What a sweet and extremely touching post, Barb! Very heartfelt, I am tearing up and sending you a big hug!

Wishing you a super Mother's Day, you are super mom!

Marigene said...

Beautiful mosaic. Barb, what a heart-warming post about your mother. Your mother would be so proud of you. I love the picture of her with her sisters, maybe because there are 3 girls in my family, me being the oldest. Happy Mother's Day, to you.

Suzy said...

Barb this was a beautiful post. Your mother must have been an amazing woman to raise all of you so well :-) I know you miss her! Love reading about all of the parts of the mosaic. Brought tears to me eyes. Sending you a hug!

Marsha said...

How wonderful to have those little treasures of your mom's to remind you of her daily - I am such a sentimental fool and think it is so great when other's are too :)

A belated Happy Mother's Day to you!

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

What a sweet post! and how wonderful to have so many things that remind you of your mom! I hope you have a wonderful week!...hugs...Debbie

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

What a special post, Barb! I can't imagine writing out 10 recipe books by hand - what a treasure that is!

Barbara said...

Such a lovely post! You are surrounded by lovely memories. I am too...there is something of my mother's in nearly every room. And I miss her every day of my life, as I know you miss yours!

Rettabug said...

This is a really touching memory post about your Mother, Foley. You & I both shed some tears this past Sunday. I hate to walk by a greeting card display around Mothers Day...makes me sad.

I ♥ the idea to bury one of her rosaries in Ireland!!!!!

A Grain of Salt said...

Barb, I'm a little late getting here, but this is one very special post. From the heart, for sure.