Saturday, August 29, 2009

Happy 50th To My Mom




Today my mom would have been 50 years old! The last big post I did about my mom was on the 10 year anniversary of her death. I think that her 50th birthday deserves to be remembered also. My mom was an amazing person - full of laughter and fun! I think she would have welcomed her 50th birthday and partied the night away with everyone! I know the phrase "I wish" is pointless - but I wish we could throw her that party! My aunt wrote a fabulous post about my mom - you should check it out - www.carrollcompany.blogspot.com.

A few more memories of my mom:

*Does anyone remember the tan van? =) It was a beauty. We drove it up to Utah one summer and the ac broke. She spent the trip rubbing cold water on our arms and our legs. It's just a little memory but I love it. I don't know if it was on that same trip but one time as we were driving she saw wheat (I think) growing wild and we pulled over so that she could pick some to use in her wall decor. I always want to pull over and do cool spontaneous things but I never do! I need to be more like her.

* When my mom was pregnant with Joseph she went into the hospital a couple times at the end and they sent her home. Well - she really wanted to have him so we went on a walk one night and when we got to the corner she had an attack of IPC's as she called it. Involuntary poop contractions! She was walking around on her tippie toes in circles trying to hold it in and I about died because I was laughing so hard!

* My mom saw The God's Must Be Crazy 2 at the dollar theater over and over. She thought it was hilarious!

* When I turned 12 there was a special night at our church and all the parents got a turn to get up and talk about their daughter. She cried the whole time she talked about me.! I don't remember if she cried on my first day of kindergarten but I do know that she cried when she sent me off to girl's camp for my first time. Now I know why she was crying because I get like that when I talk/think about my kids!

* She could laugh with anyone. One time we were driving along and there were some teenage boys next to us. The kid driving stalled big time and my mom died laughing. The boys looked at her and started laughing and we were all laughing and then she waved at them and we all went our separate ways. She could make friends with anyone anywhere!

* When my mom found out she had cancer I was at a youth conference. A man in our ward asked me about it when we got home (I hadn't seen my parents yet). He didn't realize that I hadn't been told yet. Anyway - I was shocked to say the least! When we got home my parents brought us all to their room to talk about what was going on and what the treatments were going to be like. Everyone left and I laid next to her crying(which was rare because I wasn't a touchy feely lovey girl). She told me that she worried about me most of all because I didn't talk to people about what I was feeling. She used to do crazy things to get me to say I LOVE YOU. I was just so shy about it. I think her saying that made me realize that I need to be more open. I don't have a problem saying I love you anymore and I am SO glad!

Those are just a few more glimpses of my mom! I love her. I'm so grateful for the life she lived and that I was able to have her in mine - even if it was only for 15 years. Happy Birthday Mom!!

14 comments:

Kim said...

Britt, thanks for sharing your memories about your mom. All my memories of her always bring a smile. She is truly the most unforgettable person I know.

Jenny G said...

You guys look so much alike, especially the smile. All the things you described about her just sounded like things I would write about you! You must take right after her. Thank you for sharing this post. It was super touching and makes me want to be a better mom.

The Hunts said...

Your mom is beautiful!!! Such a sad but very inspiring story that leaves you with such good feelings!!

lnkmom said...

Beautiful Brittanie! Both your memories, you, & your mom. I think you look alot like her too. Thanks for sharing her with us.

Karen said...

Thanks for sharing with us Brittanie. Your mom was beautiful. You look just like her.

Renae said...

Thanks Britt, for introducing your Mom to all who read your Blog. It was so nice to see all of you this summer and watch you model the special HATS.All of you remind me of your MOM Your actions, your smiles, your voices, your laughs, some of your movements. How you and Kelyn are with your babies. I am sure she has influenced all of you . and lives on through all of you. We LOVE you all GG and PAPA

Sarah said...

Thank you for sharing such sweet and special memories of your mom.
She sounds wonderful.
And you really do look alot like her.

Mandi said...

Hello my dearest. That was so tender. I wish I was with you so that we could have a good cry about that. I'm sorry that you don't have your mom with you anymore, but I am grateful that you are able to have such good memories of her. You can definitely tell that you are her daughter. I love you and I feel so very grateful to have you as a friend, my best friend. I hope that you are having a wonderful day. Love you!

Tim and Amy said...

that was such a sweet post; i wish i could have had a chance to know your mom. i do feel lucky to know you though. sounds like you guys are a lot alike! :o)

John and Anna said...

Hey Britt,
That was a beautiful post. I love your mom, and I'm sure she had a very happy birthday! By the way, I do remember that tan van, and your mom's whistle to invite us to hitch a ride to or from church in it. She could whistle better than anyone else I knew. Such happy memories of your family--I love you guys!

Macey said...

That is the sweetest-she is beautiful! What a resemblance.

Natalie said...

Your mom is so beautiful! I loved reading about her! Thanks for sharing.

Ann said...

Hi Brittanie, I don't know if you will remember me or not, but I just found your blog and read your entry about your mom. I loved your mom so much and enjoyed reading your tribute to her. She is an AMAZING woman and someone I still think about often.

BTW, I also remember the "tan van" because before it was the tan van, it was the brown van that belonged to my family! I took and passed my driving test in that van! Your mom was SO excited when my parents sold it to your family.

Unknown said...

Oh Britt, I miss your Mom so much too! She's one amazing woman and I remember so much about her. I will forever cherish her silliness but most of all how loving she really was to everyone. Thanks for sharing this!

Taryn