My dad brought his girlfriend to Christmas this year. It's the second Christmas without Mom. It was the first time he brought her to a function where the whole family was present and the first time she has met some of the family members.
She is precious. Warm, friendly, engaging, funny, genuine, kind. Everyone warmed right up to her and welcomed her. She brought homemade banana pudding and a white elephant gift to play dirty santa with us. She laughed at our banter and our jokes until her face hurt. She thoroughly enjoyed herself. She complimented Regan on her home and her tree. She asked genuine questions and showed interest. We like her.
When they got around to leave, I remembered her pudding and offered to retrieve it from the fridge. She asked if we would eat it and I said of course. I told her we would get her pan back to Dad for her. She waved me off, saying the pan was Dad's. Of course it was... I hadn't recognized it at first, but it's Mom's deviled egg pan. Oh, Mom. She's everywhere. Everywhere.
My girls and I went shopping together after Christmas. Every piece of clothing I had on was Mom's: my jeans, shirt, sweater... my purse. Many of the items Dad's girlfriend complimented Regan on in her house were Mom's or given to Regan from Mom. Regan graciously just said "Thank you."
My sister-in-law was in a drive-thru recently, behind another car. She recognized the tag on the car as Mom's tag number. (I wouldn't have recognized it.) She was startled to see it. Shocked. She saw a slim hand reach for the order from the drive up window. It's was Dad's girlfriend in her new car. Dad put the plate on it, which makes complete sense. Everywhere.
My niece is writing the grandparent paper on Mom for school. My three girls chose their other three grandparents and Mom was the only one not documented. In January before she died, I told her that I wanted to write one on her-- that made her very happy. I spent two different days with her going over all of her life as I wrote down all the notes and tried to make it clear enough where I could decipher it later because I KNEW I wouldn't be writing it anytime soon. I couldn't. When my niece asked me about it, I told her that I had her covered, but now I had to find the notes. They were in the third box I looked in in storage. Thankfully. I took the envelope to the house and poured over the notes.
My mom absolutely loved her grandmother Hazelle and warmly tells about the best days of her childhood which were all tied to her grandma Hazelle. Hazelle. Regan is due any day-- she had contractions yesterday and more today. I plan to carry out the legacy of Grandma Mother, my great-grandma Hazelle. I plan to be the grandma my mom loved. Hazelle was friendly, kind, warm, welcoming. We loved Grandma Hazelle, and I cannot wait to be a grandma to my granddaughter, Hazelle.
Mom is still everywhere. And I'm glad. My dad has a girlfriend. And I am truly glad. God is so good and He gives us what we need. I am so thankful.
