Letters to Mom

Check out the menorah that Ralph and Vivian sent me. Her mother had gotten it at a yard sale decades ago and they thought of me. Yay!  They loved the fleece blankets I did for them and it was quite a surprise.

We got word from Prudence that this coming July will be the last Ravenwood.  That really hurts. Jackie and I had wishful thoughts of at least one of us being able to go back to CA and attend Ravenwood and see everyone back there.  I'm not sure we could pull that together by July. I really do miss the folk.

Our Red Hat group - Grub Gulch Gals - Queen Lynn, myself, Janine "Doc", Mama, and Chris. The group drifted apart after we left California and contact was kept up through emails and phone calls.  In October my emails to Doc began bouncing back. We found out that Doc passed away peacefully October 2nd. Doc, you were an amazing woman. One of four Jewish girls in a Catholic highschool, becoming a medical doctor at the beginning of WWII and kept your license active until your early 80s. Always with a book in hand, a quick wit and caring heart. Love and honor you, Janine "Doc" Roberts. Mom; Another loved one has joined you at your table, Mom.

To our family and friends - love and miss you. Hope your year is wonderful and dreams are fulfilled. Sending love Barb (Aravah) & Jackie

Hey Ma, we finally picked up White Christmas in a package deal: Blu-Ray, DVD and a Christmas music CD. The clarity on the DVD is amazing. Can't wait to see it on Blu-Ray. We also picked up Casablanca/The African Queen and The Nightmare Before Christmas. I just saw the scene that always made you choke up, when the spotlight hits the general and he realizes the place is packed.  You always wanted a VHS tape made of the best feel-good endings, Ma, the ones that made you tear up: the ending of Shenandoah, Without a Trace (Kate Nelligan), The Searchers, White Christmas.... what were some others, Mom? Not the ones that make you sad but the ones that made you cry "for happy"? (I would add How the Grinch Stole Christmas if I was making a list) G-d, we miss you, Mom.  Maybe I'll get through How the Grinch this year.

Missing you, Mom. Fall never lasts long enough. I love fall decorations, I love horror movies, I like pulling out the winter clothes and wearing flannel and I love the changing of the trees around us. I dislike anniversaries You were an amazing woman, Mom. All the stuff you went through and that we went through is amazing and it was a hard life at times. You were so strong. We miss you  January 2010 Mom and me in 2003  w/Stewart Crammer 04 03 2011 larger life 06 09 2011 - this was a hotel in G-d knows where on our trip from California to Georgia.  It was a hard trip and everyone was exhausted after 2 days on the road. It also wasn't uncommon for Mom to fall asleep with her glasses on. This is Mom and Nyx

11/30/14 Not doing totally well today, Mom. Not sure if I'm getting/having a sinus infection and getting sick or just depressed. I miss you, Mama. I'm trying to eat better and I'm starting to take a muscle relaxer during the day. If they suggest surgery, I may take it. I'm having more and more bad days with the issues relating back to the spinal damage that throws me into emotional and physical distress, talk about flashbacks and throwing me into PTSD crisis!  Jackie and I haven't talked about it, I think her way of dealing is to ignore whatever is upsetting her.   Two years, Mom.  Fall and winter are hard without you.