Keep Smiling

I have been wanting to write a little tribute to my Mom who passed away recently.  It has just been hard to do.  We had a Celebration of Life memorial service for her Saturday, so now maybe is the time I can write this. This is part of a Life Sketch my son read at the service:

Melba was very talented, not only musically, but in the arts as well.  She used to sew most of her own clothes, as well as clothes for her children.  She sewed doll clothes for Karen, even tiny dresses for her Barbie collection.  She also knitted, crocheted, painted pictures, decorated cakes and tole painted.   Everything she did, she did well and she was very generous in sharing her talents with others, especially her husband, children, her son-in-law Mike and her grandchildren.  Her grandchildren still have the “Santa sacks” that she made with their names on them, which were filled with goodies by Grandma and Grandpa every Christmas.  Melba was always making gifts for other people, or teaching others her skills.  Her four grandchildren have all been recipients of her teaching - either knitting, crocheting, sewing, cooking or painting.  She always had a project going, even in her last couple of months, she was crocheting a baby afghan.We are all lucky indeed if we possess something that was lovingly made by Melba. Melba had a bright, cheerful smile.  She loved meeting new people.  She loved to read, watch Hallmark movies and visit with her family.  Melba was loved by her family and many others and she will be missed. 

I do miss her.  I used to finish my "chores" then head up to my sewing room, call my Mom and put her on speaker and we would "visit" while I worked on projects.  Yesterday I was up in my sewing room for the first time, for any length of time, since she passed and it was quiet and lonely.

Everyone we talked to Saturday commented on my Mom's smile.  The Bishop conducting the service, in closing said that the way to honor Melba's memory is to "smile like she did".  That's what I intend to do :). Love you Mom!!