Live Life Like Jude

I remember my first Mother’s Day with The Boy. We did all things Mother’s Day-ish. We got dressed up, we brunched, I opened beautiful cards, and I spent the day taking in and sucking up all the love from my husband and my baby boy.

Today, my three little kiddies pile in bed with me and shower me with the same sweet cards and homemade gifts. I get coffee in bed and my MC usually whips up some breakfast. My family is awesome. I savor the moment with my kiddies but at times during this holiday, it takes a lot of strength. I do my best to stay busy and distracted because my mind is flooded, more than usual, with thoughts of my mom, Jude.

I wish she were a part of my recent home projects. She was ridiculously talented when it came to decorating and setting up a room. She used to say “let’s play!” when we were hanging pictures or choosing paint colors.

I wish I could have another happy hour with her. I imitate much of what she used to do when she entertained. Her awesome get togethers at home in her kitchen were far better than any restaurant you’d go to.

I wish I could dance with her again. If the right song came on, my mom and dad usually started a dance party or a sing along. And she usually managed to get her children and grandchildren so wound up that then she’d sit back and laugh at us or take foolish pictures of us. Alzheimers is a complete and total asshole that stole all this good stuff from me and my family. What I have though are the examples she set for me, not just about being a good mom, but doing all things with enthusiasm and a LOT of laughs. When she did something, she went over the top. No birthday cake, or gift, or get-together, or holiday decoration or meal she cooked was ordinary. If she was going to give time and effort to something, anything, then she was going to make it memorable and amazing and fun. I loved that about her. When my family would visit, she would sprinkle her sidewalks with sparkly confetti to welcome us. My kids got a kick out of it! And then entering Ammie and Grandad’s house was like walking into a fun house for my little ones. Dance music blasting, Grandad’s Shirley Temples mixed, candy bowl filled, and some silly decoration or new game ready to play with. One time, she and my dad showed up to our home in a costume to surprise the kids, and it wasn’t even Halloween. Just for fun. Just because.Open a book in our house and you may find a message from Jude. Flip over a gift from her and there’s probably a handwritten note on it.

My mom made small moments together into big memories.

She took anything ordinary and made it extraordinary. Yesterday, when I wished her a Happy Mother’s Day over the phone, my dad got her to mutter a “thank you.”I’m the thankful one…for the example she set and the memories she made for me and my family.