My mom was such a great hostess. I remember watching her seamlessly put elegant and flavorful dinners on the table, never seeming to serve the same dish twice. At the same time she managed to be so much fun annd make everyone feel welcome. There wasn't a dinner party without a theme or a game or two to break the ice when the guests arrived.
I threw a small get-together last night for a dozen friends, and the whole time I longed for my mom to be on the other end of the phone, giving me advice on my table settings or helping me create a mental checklist, or just listening as I recalled the guests and the conversation. She would have remembered every detail, and even though these friends are people I went to college with and only see once a year she would have been able to distinguish them. She listened and paid attention to detail like no one I have ever known.
Easter 2013
Mom and Dad
Engagement photo
Mom, Dad, and Miles
Mom and Miles
Miles and Claire
Grant, Deborah, and the kids
Nadine and Claire
Thanks for posting...Deb was always interested and willing to get me through things that I felt incapable to do by myself.
ReplyDeleteGood Evening Nadine
ReplyDeleteYou don't know me but I knew you Mom - I commented a few times on the blog. I think about your Mom often - always remembering how much I enjoyed being in her company and thinking and reflecting on the past year. I have two daughters - one is 31 and one is 26 and many times I think about you and them and how difficult this type of loss is. You continue to represent your mother in the most positive and loving way and I know that she is extremely proud of you.
Nadine, I am so glad you are still posting, and although you do not hear from all of us, many are still logging on -- to stay connected to your mom and to the wonderful gifts that she shared during her life.
ReplyDeleteToday is Christmas Eve. I can remember last Christmas so vividly as your mom planned so carefully about how to shop for everyone on her list. Although the tangible gifs are the least of what she gave us all, the care she took in selecting each one was just another reminder of how fully she attended to each person she cared for; their unique qualities, likes, dislikes... every detail, it seems.
One thing that always reminded me of your parents' house this time of year was the blooming of the paper whites. As one way of keeping Deb's memory close, I have decided to bloom some each year. I purchased them a while ago from the little hardware store in Chestnut Hill where she bought them (mindful that I might not be successful the first time as I do not have much of a green thumb). I have been curious about the bulbs in the vase as they have been growing, but ever so slowly. Others told me that they can bloom in two weeks and I think it has been about 6 for these! Nonetheless, they are just now --on the eve of Christmas starting to bloom. In my heart, I will think of it as Deb's Christmas present this year.
Lots of love to you all this holiday.
Adina
Nadine,
ReplyDeleteI echo the comments of friends who are grateful to you for continuing to post. Thank you so much! It is a gift to me to still feel connected, though 3000 miles away. I missed her Christmas card -- always one of the first to arrive -- (how DID she find time to do those??? :) -- and a phone call where she would describe the snow outside -- and I would describe the 75 degree SoCal day while longing for a taste of "genuine winter".
Your description of your Christmas day together was vivid -- easy to picture, and easy to feel the gaping hole.
Thanks so much for continuing to keep us connected to this truly amazing woman we love and miss so much.
Love,
Jeanie