FAMILY: Remembering Mama

Velma Mae Hascall Cross

Later years, mom didn't like to have her picture taken so much.  Thanks to Kyong Hui.... my lovely sister in law who I believe may have talked her into this one. 

There are so many things to remember, how she loved to do her "handywork"  Knitting, crocheting, sewing, quilting, embroidery.  It was sad when she couldn't see well enough to do a lot of it... and the arthritis in her hands kept her from creating the beautiful things that she would always "put away for good"  How I hate that phrase, but it was a sign of that generation.  Don't break out the new stuff until you have totally worn the old stuff to rags. 

Mom loved to write... she would keep her diaries, and write poems.  She loved to write down lyrics to her favorite songs, and that was a great view into the things that she really felt deeply.  Each time I come across something she "put down" on paper...  I love to see her handwriting.  She learned to write when it was an actual part of your schooling.  PENMANSHIP...  now the schools want to do away with cursive writing... what are they thinking. 

I miss her every day. 

This is one of her poems that she "put down on paper"  I cannot find where it is copied from anywhere else, I believe it to be her original work. 

  Just Life and Motherhood

by Velma Hascall Cross

I am unlike a mother Robin

When babies grow and leave the nest. 

For she has time from spring to spring

To do nothing but rest. 

To raise two families of children

Is just a hard old row to hoe

For poor old mother

Is always on the go. 

She wishes just for some time

To call her very own.

To just sit and read and daydream.

Just some time to be alone.

But I love being a mother

Also my husband's wife,

Rewards you reap (their love)

For such is Motherhood and Life.

I will never see one of these that I don't think of my mom! She had a whole flock of them that she fed with an old metal bucket full of wheat.  Mama and all the tiny topknot babies just bobbing along like chickens.

 Today is the anniversary of her passing, and although I'm sad, she gave me so many good skills and hopefully some common sense that I can't be too overwrought. The best tribute to someone who is gone is to remember the good things and live your life. I SO empathize with Mary Ann Low s post.... what we wouldn't give for just one more hug, or one more conversation. I am a little crazy because I have one sided conversations with mom all the time. Just the way it is.