Another birthday

Today I got an email from some birthday reminder program reminding me that "Mom Keeven's birthday is coming up, don't forget to send her a card!" Really?

March 19th is my Mom's birthday. While I can't spend it with her, I am lucky enough to be with my incredible Mother-in-Law on that day. Another reason to celebrate that day!

Each milestone that passes, I expect it to be easier. In some ways it is yet my heart is still a bit heavy from missing her. I often, more often than I admit, see someone that will remind me of my Mom in some way. I find myself doing double takes to make sure it isn't her. A family member will do or say something  or pull a "that's so like mom" habit or something and my heart aches for her. There are so many things I want to tell her and share with her. Jonathan still carries around a teddy bear she got him for his first Christmas.

Every time I hear the Toby Keith song, "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue",  I can't help but think of Mom and smile. I remember sitting with Mom in their kitchen and she had that damn boot on her foot and was sitting in her wheel chair listening to the radio. She loved country music and she was singing right along with Toby and when Toby sang "And the Statue of Liberty was shaking her fist", Mom shot her fist up in the air but when Toby sang, "Cause we'll put a boot in your a$$"...Mom's boot came up and I couldn't help myself but laugh. She looked so serious and was extremely into it. Too bad they didn't send her after ole Osama...cus that was a big boot she had!

Because of Facebook I am in touch with more of her family and I love it. We talk about old times and its nice. My mom was a lot like my Grandma...a spit fire. Yelled at the TV when their soaps were on. Well I do that and the funny thing is it's the same soap they watched! I remember Grandma talking loudly and having that "yelling tone" to her voice. Mom had that and yep, I have it too. But that's okay because Mom was wonderful and I am glad to be like her and love that there is a little bit of "Momism" in me and each of my sisters.

I miss you Mom. I love you and I look forward to seeing you again some day. Until then, keep protecting all of us...you are doing a great job!

Winter Blues

Is it spring yet? I was tempted to send Harley out to eat that darn groundhog! Luckily old Phil there saw his shadow. I am just surprised at the amount of snow that St. Louis has gotten this winter. However I was so excited at the idea of being "snowed in". We were suppose to get 1 inch of ice and like 12-18 inches of snow. Well, luckily that storm shifted (Sorry to my Chicago friends) and in my area we got about 3 inches of ice and 1 inch of snow. And it's cold. I dislike the cold. Well really it's the idea of having to go out in it. If I could stay home and be in my jammies with food, coffee, tv and my Nook and computer I'd be set for quite a long time! Sad but true.

When I was home on one of these days (last month I think) a preview of the Oprah show caught my attention and I made sure I tuned in. This episode was extremely touching and moving and brought me to tears. I am amazed on a daily basis how people can survive a tragedy that I feel would absolutely kill me. This amazing couple, The Coble Family, suffered a horrific loss. In an instant, they lost all 3 of their children in a horrible car accident. Please visit their link above to read their story as I do not want to get any of the details wrong. It is sad but also amazing. On the Oprah show, they said how after the accident they made a promise to each other that they would not take their own life and leave the other one alone. That just stuck with me.

I can not even fathom what they went through and how they managed to get up and go on with life. I know they say "you have no choice" but still, I can't imagine.

I think about this family on my drive to daycare or the grocery store or anywhere with the kids. I just really wanted to share their story. I am amazed by their faith, honesty and strength. If you need an inspiration, please read it. Treasure every moment as you never know when it will be the last.