Tomorrow is Mother’s Day and I miss my mother every day. If she was still here:

She would help me with decisions. Mom would know what to do and how to cope with things like varicose veins. She and Grandma had them. I’ve had them for years but now they are bothering me. She’d probably tell me to walk more, or lose weight.

Mom would help me figure out which plants to get for my limited gardening on a small patio with two hanging pots, one miniature rose, one pink fuchsia and three pots on a stand with pansies, and a bucket of chives. No tomatoes on the north side of the building where I live. She would probably say, be thankful for what you have. In a pinch you can eat those pansies and chives on salads.

Mom would help me decide what summer clothes to bring out of storage. Most of them are too small and the ones that fit are butt-ugly. Always dressed for any occasion, my mother was the one to look to for fashion advice. She would probably tell me to get off my duff, lose the lard and toss the uglies.

Mom would help me with my shopping. I never know which supermarket is the best. I know she would say to shop at the one that has the best deals in meat and fresh produce and to clip coupons for things you really need. She once stopped going to a meat market in our neighborhood when she caught the butcher with his thumb on the meat scale hiking up the price of her pork chops.

There are so many everyday things that happen when I wish I had Mom to ask. She hung around until a month after her 100^th birthday a few years ago (2007). I guess she figured she’d given all of us enough advice to carry us the rest of the way through our journey. I miss her so much and wish I had one more chance to tell her how much I love her.

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom. I just know you’re the smartest, best dressed angel up there. I hope the others are listening to you for heavenly advice.

Love,

Rosalie