Tuesday, November 25, 2008

MEMORIES OF MY MOTHER-IN-LAW

What wonderful memories I have of my deceased mother-in-law, Mame. Today would have been her 111th birthday. I was just seventeen years old when her son, George, married me in Oklahoma City and took me to Illinois to visit his parents. They could not be at the wedding, so it was the first time they had a chance to meet me. I was received with such warmth. Her arms opened wide to embrace and greet me and until she passed away many years later, she always welcomed me with opened arms and love. I have never met anyone that was more loved by everyone than Mame. She loved her children and grandchildren more than anything. Her hobby of cooking was enjoyed by many. She was always being asked to bake for different occasions in the small Illinois town where she lived. My family's favorite food of all that she cooked was the chocolate cupcakes. Absolutely no one could duplicate those delectable cupcakes. It was a treat that all of her children and grandchildren grew to expect whenever they visited. She always baked dozens so we could return home with some. We knew we would not have anything that delicious until our next visit.

My mother-in-law was a homemaker and never worked outside the home. Her home was a real home where everyone gathered around the dining room table for their meals. She never tired of cooking for her family. She married my father-in-law in 1922 and he passed away in 1975 and together they had seven children. My father-in-law owned and was editor of the small town newspaper in which they lived. She did not live life without some burdens. Her first child, a daughter, was mentally challenged and she devoted much of her energy and love to making this daughter become as self-sufficient as possible. Patsy died in 1978. One other daughter and a son (my husband) have since died. If there ever was a mother more deserving of wings in heaven, it would be my loving mother-in-law, Mame.

This has been an exceptionally warm and sunny day here in Oklahoma City. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law from Michigan arrived today for an overnight visit. They are on their way to their winter home in Tucson, AZ. I always enjoy having Ben and Lori and Maggie (their adorable and sweet dog) visit. We have just returned from having dinner at The Olive Garden Restaurant. Earlier today Lori and I went to Remington Park Casino where I did not break my streak of losing. Lori won. There is always a next time for me.

My grandson and his friend from Honduras are in Oklahoma City for their Thanksgiving break from college. They, too, will be spending the night at my house. The more, the merrier!! They went to the Thunder basketball game and saw the great basketball player Shaq. Shaquille did not play tonight due to a hip injury.

I would be remiss if I did not comment that today, November 25th, was the day that President John F. Kennedy was laid to rest in the Arlington Cemetery after having been assassinated in Dallas, TX on November 22, 1963.

Tomorrow I will start my preparations for Thanksgiving dinner. This year we will be having dinner at my son's house and our sweet, generous hostess will be Kelly, my son's fiancee.

Happy Thanksgiving to all who read this posting to my blog.

3 comments:

Kelly said...

What a beautiful post! Keith is smiling and remembering the wonderful memories of Thanksgiving and the chocolate cupcakes! He said it was always so hard waiting until the end of Thanksgiving to find out how many cupcakes he'd be getting to take home!

This is such a wonderful and heart-warming story filled with beautiful memories! Here's to making many more wonderful memories! I am so Thankful for being a part of such a wonderful and delightful family! You are Priceless and such a gift to all who know and meet you, but especially to us!!

Judy said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. I loved this post. Your mother-in-law sounds like a wonderful person as was mine. Those cupcakes sound great. My mother-in-law loved to cook and entertain and taught me so much. Enjoyed this post. It brought back some great memories of my own mother-in-law. I am sure Kelly will have a wonderful dinner for everyone.

Margaret Cloud said...

I really enjoyed reading your post, how thoughtful of you to honor your mother-in-law, she seemed like a wonderful person. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving at your sons.