Hey Ma . . . it’s me, Cheryl Ann.  With Mother’s Day coming up, not our usual chat this time.  It’s got me thinking of all sorts of things.  Remember the way you would let me lay my head in your lap on Sundays, when the sermon got too long?  Both Pastor Braun and “Rev” M. had their  talents, but we both know that public speaking wasn’t top on the list, right.  I always loved the way you would smooth my hair as I laid there.

I liked to play with those cardboard fans on the sticks too.  And then we had our secret “Church” language. One of us would silently tap to the other . . . 3 taps was “I-Love-You”; 4 taps back was “I-Love-You-Too” . . . then a squeeze or rub, to say . . . “So Much”.  A shared smile or quite giggle ended the conversation.  So, of course, I had to do that with my kids too.  My step daughter, Cindra, still signs off cards with a “Tap Tap Tap”.

Ooh, an old B&W of us when your Donnelley friends came to visit.

The weather is finally  warming up here in Minnesota.  Of course, in Iowa, all those beautiful peony bushes are already bursting with giant blooms.  Mine are only about two feet tall, so far.  That long row of peonies you planted at the front of the garden was so beautiful in full bloom. PHOTO SOURCE:  Barb Rosen . . . Our Fairfield Home and Garden

And your glads in the summer.  I still have the picture of you standing among them; that year they were taller than you, remember?  And you didn’t want me to take the picture because you had shorts on!  Of course, I did anyway and we laughed and laughed.   Peonies and gladiolus are still your favorite flowers right?  Mine too . . . always. PHOTO SOURCE:  SL . . . Stephanie Lynn . . . under the table & dreaming

And I so enjoy, making flower arrangements just like you.  Remember when I worked for Bachman’s at the airport?  Then too, at the small floral shop here, in our local store.  You were there, I know

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One of my Autumn dried arrangements.  Recognize the watercolor in the background?  It’s the one I did for you in college.

What about all those summer nights when we’d sit on the front step, playing Simon Says and Captain May I ?  Oh, and then after dark, we’d go hand-in-hand, for long walks around the neighborhood, just the two of us.  Well, Brownie went along sometimes too, though, didn’t he?  Crazy old dog.  Remember how he’d run away for days, sometimes weeks at a time and then sure enough, one day, you’d see him running home, across German’s field into our yard.  Our Gracie is definitely a house dog, but no one allows pets to run anymore.  Long time ago in small towns.

GRACIE  MAE                          &         BROWNIE So many memories, and even the “not so good” ones can be funny.  Like the time you got the new pressure cooker, and we were going to stew tomatoes! Good thing we went outside to take that break.  Those were some hot tomatoes flyin’ around when that thing blew up all over the kitchen.  Weird how the madder Dad got about it, the harder it was for us to keep from laughing.  Hhmm, Dad and my ex were a lot alike.  We were the ones who cleaned it up, so don’t know why Dad was so angry!

Us when baby Brad & I stayed with you while his dad was overseas. Do you recall this photo.  Wish I had more of us together. Well, we could talk forever, but I’ll save the rest of this remembering for another night. Hey Ma, can you believe it’s been thirty two years, already?  I was going to say it doesn’t seem possible that so much time and memories have gone by so quickly; I know you haven’t missed too much though, because you’re always with me. And then, we always have our little talks. But for tonight . . . it’s me, signing off. Luv ya, Mom . . . Always. ALWAYS by artzzle-com  2014

My Mom, Marguerite 1920 – 1983
Rest in peace, Ma