My mom passed three years ago and a day does not go by that I would not trade in everything I own to see her for one more hour. Nowing my mom she would spend the first fifty minutes dressing me down for spending so much money for something like that. Mothers are mothers and Gerard you are very fortunate to have her around and full of life. Cheers!!!

I hope she'll add that beautiful tribute to her collection. A blessed Easter to both of you.

When I read your deeply-felt tributes to your wonderful mother, my mind often wanders back to a post that you did some time ago about your estranged daughter. Does she still ignore her grandmother's attempts to contact her?

I have a 17 year old daughter. There is a special bond between a father and a daughter, and I cannot even fathom the grief that I would feel if we became estranged. I'm not judging you or your daughter, because I don't know the back story. I only wish to say how sincerely sorry I am to know that the estrangement has separated her from both you and your very special mother.

David Kutzler

This was a wonderful post, the phrase "Mansions of Memory" has stayed with me. Thank you for the comment at my place, you are welcome anytime.

Interesting Mother's Day for me; my wife is spending it with our daughter in Colorado. Yesterday I went to my mother-in-law's sister's funeral; she was a great lady but so was my mother-in-law. My own mother treated my wife as though she was the daughter she'd never had, and her bond with our daughter was just as strong.

Our family has issues of estrangement to deal with also. On Mother's Day I feel fortunate that they've been with siblings rather than parents. Perhaps estrangement from someone in the family is part of the human condition; we've talked to enough friends who are dealing with it too.

- Pete

A wonderful reflection for the day, and a reminder to be gentle with my own 92 year old, who always has been prone to keep the distressing and toss away the good.

Nevertheless... I've learned a bit about the value of those scraps of love, and become far more fearless about tossing what doesn't meet my own measure. I don't have a bulletin board but I have a blog. Your mom's approach works there very nicely too, just as it does in life.

Your mother is a fine and sturdy looking dame who no doubt could whip my---and most anyone I know--ass with her eyes closed on the courts---but not the river, I'll have you. And she sure doesn't look like she's goin no where, no time soon. I will say, the only thing that might improve her 95 year-old hot look would be her boa with those boots. Maybe she can coordinate them both by the time she hits 100.

Very cool, you are lucky to have such a special Mom.

She can't deny you, either, the resemblance is striking.

I agree with Dan, no one could doubt that Gerard and this Great Lady are related. If Gerard is lucky, he will live this long - and with this gift for loving and being loved!

G-d Bless You both.

Your mom is amazing, Gerard.

I hope you can repost this for many, many years to come.

I used to have a photo of my bulletin board as the header on my blog. I had to downsize last year and the board was just too big for my current rooms. All those photos and clippings and ephemera of my life are in a folder...waiting to become a scrapbook so my grandson can know...his family in the first years of the century.

Still love the phrase Mansions Memory.

Hey, her boots match the bench, and her shirt matches the boots!

Gerard, you are blessed.

I think you're going to drop anchor in Chico. There are worse places. They make a good beer there at the Sierra Nevada Brewery. Try their Torpedo if you like a hoppy IPA like I do.

That may well be the case. I'm in Chico now and starting to look here and elsewhere nearby.

I hardly had time to know my parents as an adult before they were gone. I miss the advice and wisdom they had to offer. I miss not being able to go home. I am on Social Security now but still miss them even at my "advanced" age. However my five children and seven grandchildren offset the feeling of loss and make me try to be the papa that my dad and papa were. Miss mom's cooking and late night talks. Gerard, so happy you have your mom and have been able to enjoy her most of your adult life.

Sad part of this was that I was just looking for the "like button...

Gerard, don't let Zeke Emanuel get near your Mom.

http://www.google.com/url?q=http://thefederalist.com/2014/09/23/zeke-emanuel-wants-you-to-die-at-75/&sa=U&ei=caghVLHyEs-qyAS8hYDgAg&ved=0CBcQqQIwAA&usg=AFQjCNHqqsT-r8TX02umfMxEZnFJK5MdMQ

He'd have shut down any med procedures 25 years ago.

She's a peach. Glad you are able to be closer, as the rock on the gas pedal of life just seems to get bigger and bigger.
tom

"It is the sum of all love."
This is one of the many ... I adore this sentiment. These words ... good words. You make it look easy. I think maybe she helps make it so. Quite lovely.