Jill

My mom would have been 61 today. It's amazing how ten years feels like an eternity and yet in some ways I can't believe I have gone so long without her here. In honor of the occasion I thought it would be fun to share a few memories....

My mom loved Coke. Not Diet Coke, but the original, full of sugar Coke. She went through several cans a day, but to say it that way is a little misleading. She would pour her can of coke into a glass that was so full of ice that I don't know how any of the drink could actually fit in there. And then she'd have a few sips, and that would be it until later in the day when she'd open a new can of Coke and start the process all over again. All I can think is that must have gotten pretty expensive over the years.

She loved to read the newspaper. It was a daily ritual. Never saw her open a book, but she really loved the paper. And People magazine.

She ate hamburgers plain. No cheese, tomatoes, or lettuce. And condiments were an abhorrence. She also ate pizza without the tomato sauce. I wonder if that sort of thing is a genetic trait, because Cameron and Connor only eat pizza without the cheese. I don't know which is weirder.....

She loved going to movies, and if she really liked the movie she would buy the soundtrack (it seems like movies always used to have soundtracks, didn't they?) and we'd have to listen to it for WEEKS.

My mom was the BEST if you ever got sick. She was so understanding and compassionate and always took such good care of us. Maybe it's because she dealt personally with a lot of sickness in her adult life and that gave her a lot of empathy??? I don't know, but I still really miss her when I'm not feeling well.

She loved sending cards to her close friends and family. Birthday cards, thank you cards, just-thinking-of-you cards, etc. She was just really thoughtful like that :)

She worked professionally as a still photographer for awhile when I was a teenager. I think that's really cool and wish I had inherited her photography skills.

My mom had a very simple faith. She wasn't the type that went around quoting scriptures or explaining complicated gospel doctrines, but she taught me right from wrong through her actions and how she lived her life. It was a very powerful way for me to learn the way I should live.

My mom was one of the most unconditionally loving people I have ever known. She was kind to everyone and fiercely loyal to those who were close to her. I knew that there were no expectations that I had to act or be a certain way, that just being her daughter was enough. That has always meant so much to me and still does.

Well, that is all for now. Happy birthday mom! I'm off to drink a coke.....