Five Years Later

The recent school visit of an Indiana politician prompted me to get back to this blog. Why? Her birthday is the same day as my mother’s: September 24. It also reminded me of my previous checklist in September.

It seems only fitting to create another one, so here it goes!

• Writing cards to others was one of my mother’s Sunday evening tasks. It’s a good way to start the week.
• Eating Dove chocolates brings back so many memories!
• Giving a financial gift to Elim, a special needs school, seems fitting since she always had a heart for those with physical or intellectual disabilities.
• Sending a care package to someone who lost her mother seems like a very good way to remember her.
• I need to take a picture of the tulip tree we planted in her memory.
• Reading a Robert Frost poem is perfect since she is the one who suggested using “The Road Less Taken” for my ninth grade graduation.
• Although she loved KFC and Burger King, I may just need to drive by these restaurants.
• Cleaning windows, always a necessary task, brings back memories of paper towels, ladders, and some left over streaks.
• I have to iron! She ironed Mitch’s shirts in a way I cannot reproduce.
• Reading a book is a Must Do task as she frequented the church library and read every Sunday afternoon.
• Listening to Bach, the oldies, or ABBA will bring a smile to my face.
• I want to donate financially to each of our kids’ churches. She would be incredibly blessed to know that they attend church on their own, without a parent taking them.
• Working with children was one of her favorite parts of life. She particularly enjoyed providing child care at MOPS, a church-run mother’s group. That’s a pretty easy memory to copy!
• A picnic, her favorite pastime, is a great way to honor her.
• Reading Psalm 24 is a nice way to remember that she was born on the 24th day of September.
• I hope I can remember to plant tulips in October!
• Attending a concert would remind me of the times she would tell me about these different events. I doubt my father would have attended any if it wasn’t for her.

As the month continues, I hope I can make it a priority to remember. Five years goes quickly.