I remember 12/6/12

...when I drank leftover-from-dinner grease from a mason jar that was sitting in her refrigerator because I thought it was tea.

...the year she bought me a raincoat for Christmas - ooooh that was a hard one to swallow when everyone around me had toys and games.  My mom hooked me up on that one and told her something I needed instead of something I wanted, and I remember it like it was yesterday because I felt so ashamed for being disappointed.  A gift is just that - a gift.

...the story she used to tell me about the time I was sitting on top of her bathroom counter putting on her makeup while she did too and when I finished I looked at me in the mirror and said, "Now I'm ready for a man!"  (Geez, I started young, didn't I?).  She told it who-can-count-how-many times so it must have been a favorite.

...the Summer my sister called her to help us rid our house of the snake that had gotten in and wrapped itself around mom's set of praying hands in the living room window while we were home alone.  Couch straddling and ax swinging...who could ever forget that one.

My Aunt Linda's funeral is today, so I'll going home for that.  My mom has had my youngest honey since Monday morning, and I can't wait to scoop him up and get some of his lovin' - especially on a day like today.  Thanks for letting me be sad for a few days and for your love, sympathy, and messages.  Both near and far, I have the best friends and family.