A Kitty!
Mom never liked having her picture taken. This is the photo I have of her in my office because of that.
For My Mom
I love you mom. My life wouldn't have become the wonderful adventure it is without you, your care, or your sacrifices.
There is so much I understand...
...now that I have my first child, my son, Arrow. In a blink, he is already 4 months old! It went by so fast. One day (too) soon, he'll grow into a boy, then a teen, and finally a man. But he's just a baby! But I am guessing that you must have felt the same way back when this photo was taken.
It feels like I'm running out of time.
There is so much more love I want to give and not enough opportunity to give it. Like you, my adult life ended up settling down 4 hours away from my childhood home. As a child that drive never seemed like that long of a distance. We just hopped in the van, listened to Jeff Foxworthy tapes, and then we were at Grandma's house in no time at all! Now, in my late 30s, I can feel the time I've lost.
There is a plan.
You have always told me that there was a plan made just for me and I've always held that close in my heart. Even if I wish everyone I love could live right down the street from me. But, every morning I wake up next to my lovely wife and I see (hear) my healthy child waiting for me and I'm content. I know that I owe a lot of it to the decades that you pushed me forward and prayed for me so that one day these wonderful things would come into my life. And now, it's finally happened!
If I could save time in a bottle.
This holiday means something different to me this year. Although you were the youngest, you were pushed into becoming the most reliable sibling of four. And you passed that on and you raised me to be a man that is strong for his family while still maintaining his soft, gooey center. I regret that Arrow isn't able to meet all of the amazing people that have already come and gone in my life. That just hits differently, now. So much of my 20's and early 30's were spent chasing this fleeting thing and that. Now the thing I am most grateful for is that Arrow will grow up with so many people that love him. I hope that I can teach him to share that love with everyone he meets. Just like Grandpa would share his entire life story with everyone that he met.
An Example.
I don't know what being a mother is like, but I know that I was blessed for having the mother that I got.
I know that I can't be with you this Sunday, like many Sundays in my adult life, to have breakfast, read the
comics, and browse through the newspaper ads that no longer exist, but I am thinking of you. I have been blessed for
every minute of the life that you gave me. I hope that I can do the same for Arrow. I'm glad he'll get to
grow up knowing you. Even if that means he'll always rub it in my face that you bought him a damn go-kart
when I never got one.
Happy Mother's Day, Mom! I love you!
Your Son,
Eric
My mother through the years of my life.
I had a lot of fun looking through old pictures this past week. Plenty of fuzzy memories popped sharp into place. Many images I showed Katrina for the first time. This is no substitute for being there in person. But I like the idea that this website could go on even without me and be a marker of the wonderful life that my mom was able to give me. I hope you, or whoever is looking through these, enjoys them.
Day at the Mill
Just mom hanging out at the park. Like a painting.
Rosie the Riveter
Mom has never shyed away from hard work. This was us redoing my living room ceiling.
TADA!
Just mom being her happy self.
Childhood home
I always hated to leave. But now, this house is a reminder of so many good warm memories.
Citi Kitty!
Always a cat on the table. Doesn't matter which of our homes you go to.
New York, New York
Base of the Statue of Liberty. 2010.
Word.
My mom's lived through a lot of stuff and survived every bit of it.
Lunch?
A lot of good memories in that old farm house.
Stachia
This site's beautiful namesake.
Art.
My house. That was the brightest orange ever. Mom's always been there to help.
Sunday Morning.
Nothing beat coming home from college and reading the funny pages with mom on the weekend.
Grandma!
The next stage of motherhood. Grandmotherhood.
Mom's House was the place to be.
More good memories from the house we grew up in. Always a good time with good company.
Muffy Clause!
Muffy... RAow. Muffy... RAOW!
Hillsboro Gothic
Mom was a good sport helping me recreate a classic.
Leastin!
The best dog. Where'd you get that honey bun?
I should have stayed on the farm
What a handsome family. But why did I want to show off my weird shaped head that summer?
Classic.
Brittani says something inappropriate. Mom rolls eyes.
Kennel!
I honestly have no context for this one. At Brit's house?
Shirley Temple
My sister can light up a room when she smiles. Always could.
Dog House?
When mom builds something for her animals, she goes all out.
7-20-90
Not Brittani's happiest moment. But better than the experience that waits in the future at Sea World...
Animal Lover
My mom. A loving caring person. And Fatty the cat. The one that hugs back.