Happy Mother's Day

Seems most things I'm doing these days, Mom would have loved to come along.  She was always the first one to say yes to anything, whether it was someone's idea of a walk around the block, a special dinner, or a trip half-way around the world.  For Cissie, life was a collection of special people and special experiences.  Here's a picture of Cissie in Northfield, MN, where she went to visit Heather as a college freshman at Carleton College in 2006. She visited me in my village in Cameroon for Christmas, 1977.  She went to Italy a couple times to visit Jay and family. And she looked forward to the annual 3 week stay at Lawrence Welk Resort in Escondido, CA the month of May.  If she were still with us, she'd be doing the shopping for that trip right now. 

Mothers teach us some incredible things.  My Mom taught me to not let an unused minute go by---be active, contribute, volunteer, enjoy life.  I know she would have been excited by, and pleased with, the choices we've made over the last 18 months.  No doubt she would have been here to Washington to visit, and she'd have been on the first flight to Mauritius after we got settled in.  It's fun to imagine the reactions she would have had to all of this.  Unfortunately, we are left with imagining.  If anything, her sudden and unexpected passing served to underscore her passion for life.  You never know when an active, engaging day spent with friends and family will be your last.



Cissie learning Wii golf from grandsons

Today is always the best day to start on a new path, to say yes to a new adventure, and to accept an offer to work on a new project. Cissie was always learning---here's Grandma Cissie at age 75+ learning to play Wii golf with her grandsons.  She taught by example, and her enthusiasm for learning and doing new things was infectious.  Two years ago this month, I flew to Escondido to spend a long weekend with Mom and Dad, and got to play two days of golf with Mom.  It was the first time we'd ever done that, and, sadly, was the last.   

So, Mom, thanks for all the lessons you taught me, especially the one that says we never get to do today over again.  Best that we put it to good use . . . learning, playing, doing, loving.  I love you, Mom.  Happy Mother's Day!