Memory Monday...

Memory Monday is all about MOM this week.  I've written about my mom so much that I don't know what else I can tell you about her.

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My mom, Helen Louise Cameron Kelly, was born in 1930 to Ethel Jane and Robert Cameron. She grew up in Washington Court House, Ohio, graduating from high school in 1948.  Mom played trumpet in marching band, and she had a close group of friends, who stayed friends long after high school.  I knew them as "the card club" and even after we moved 60 miles away, they still got together every few months to play canasta. Two or three of them came to mom's funeral. That's friendship....the original BFFs!

My folks were married 40 years, before we lost dad to cancer, in 1989.  We had a nice celebration for them, with all the anniversary trimmings.  That was in October. Dad was gone in December. He was only 63.

Mom wanted to be a grandma for years before she finally became one!  Here she is, at her anniversary party, holding Sara Elizabeth...#1 Grandchild.  Look at the happy in her face!!

My parents were "the best" and I know how fortunate I was to grow up with parents who loved me and supported me, and allowed me to become the person I am.

Mom's senior picture. She was so pretty.

Mom and Dad's wedding photo.  See the ivy around the cake?  It was live ivy, and dad took cuttings from it to replant at every house we lived in. It always thrived.  Dad's brother introduced them. My dad flew single engine airplanes, and mom wanted to take a plane ride. My uncle set them up.  Five months later, they were married, in October 1949..

Mom worked at the Post Office. We lived in a very small town. Everyone knew us, and we knew everyone.  Because we had no house-to-house mail delivery back then, everyone had a P.O. Box, and most saw my mom on a daily basis.  She also sold Avon, and was active in Band Boosters, Mother's Club, the church choir (sang alto), and she also worked in the church office after retiring from the post office.  She was such a good cook. I've mentioned that in other blogs. Everything she touched was delicious. She was also very creative. She was a seamstress, she could do any craft. She painted. She loved painting barns and lighthouses. We all have one or two of her paintings.

Mom always wanted to go to Hawaii.  After my dad died, mom had some lady friends, also widows, who were able to travel, and she finally got to go to Hawaii.  They also took a road trip one year, and went west to see Yellowstone, Mt. Rushmore, the Black Hills.  She really had a blast traveling with her friends.

Mom was diagnosed with colon cancer. She fought it hard. She had a couple of good years, in remission, but it really didn't go away. Sneaky, horrid cancer was just infecting the rest of her body. Cancer in the bones is painful. She never complained. She had two colostomy bags and never complained. Amazing, faith-filled, strong woman.  She gave her whole self to dad and to us kids. We always knew we were loved.  We lost her to cancer in 1995. She was only 65.

I was so blessed.  Joe tells everyone that mother-in-law jokes don't fly when talking about my mom. She was an angel on earth, and I know she is in Heaven watching over us. He loved her like his own mom. Blessed.

So thanks for stopping by and reading about my mom. There are four of us "kids", by the way. I'm the oldest. Peace & blessings!!