memories of mom

Lately I find myself overwhelmed with thoughts of my Mom.

I guess its because its been so long since she passed.  I've always been scared that I'll forget the sound of her voice, her laugh, the way she smelled, the products she used.  Not a day goes by that I dont think of her.  I often find myself sad when thinking about her, but lately I'm remembering happier times with her and the crazy adventures we used to have.  So to honor her memory and experience new things with not only I. but also R. (who unfortunately never had the honor of meeting Kimmy), I cook things she made, I buy the things she did and we go do things that I remember doing with her.

Today will be one of those adventures and its kind of bittersweet.  I can already feel the tears welling up in my eyes, but I know (although I. is really resisting the plan but he's 6, what can I expect?) it'll be fun no matter what.

One of my most vivid memories of Mom was the time her and I went Strawberry picking outside of Garrison, MN.  I was about 11 or 12.  All in all it was a horrible experience, but my mom made it fun.  I only say it was horrible because the evening before we went my Aunt JoAnn told us that we should dress in jeans and long-sleeves because Strawberry picking is nothing but crawling on the ground in the dirt.  So the next morning we got up bright and early, dressed in jeans and sweat-shirts and headed out to the field.  We each got our own flat and rows to pick from.  I remember my row going on for what seemed days.  I also helped myself to a few huge berries from an older womans row next to mine, what?! The grass was greener on the other side haha ;)

About an hour into our picking adventure, the heat started to drastically increase and so did my breathinig.  At that age I had severe asthma and being that I was already dressed too warm and the late Spring/early Summer weather was starting to kick in, resulted in a recipe for disaster.  I became overheated, threw up, had an asthma attack and passed out.  Go me! Obviously I was okay but I haven't been back to a Strawberry field since.

After my Mom got me home and I rested for a quite a few hours and rehydrated, I felt much better.  And spent the rest of the evening helping her make Strawberry Freezer Jam.  We spent hours washing, hulling, smashing, cooking and filling jars.  But it was so much fun.

And now 17 years later, I'm about to do it all over again with I. and R. 

Stay tuned for updates on today and this past weeks pre-op surgery adventures!