About mom...

I came across an interesting question in reading a blog I frequent. It gave me food for thought... so I thought I would work on answering the question posed. So, here goes.

Tell me something fun about your mother and/or her mother. What fun, weird, laughable memories do you have of your mom and/or your maternal grandmother?

First, we will tackle the memories of my late grandmother - she passed away January 6, 2004 (Rest in Peace, Grandma). My mom was born in La Mancha, Spain... and raised in Toledo (Spain). As a result, I didn't get to spend very much time with her side of the family growing up. I guess that is what makes my memories of my grandparents on her side that much more vivid in my mind.

My earliest memories of my grandparents are from when I was around 4 or 5 years old. I remember my mom telling me that I was not, under any circumstances, to allow my grandparents to burn our trash in the fireplace. (How she expected me to stop them, I don't know... but she did tell me that). Well, I noticed they were getting ready to burn some items that were not paper in the fireplace, so I said "Grandma, Grandpa; no. You aren't supposed to." They shusshed me, and went on about their task.

A little while later, they ran out of wood and had to go to the back yard to retrieve some. While they were outside, I locked the door from the inside. Now, it was pretty cold outside... but I didn't care, as far as I was concerned; I was fulfilling my duties as directed.

This, however, is not how my mom saw the situation as she was called shortly thereafter by my very upset grandparents.

Skip ahead to when I was 16 - I went to visit my mom's family for the first time in many years. In spending time with them, I went to see my grandparents. From the two visits they made to the states when I was 4 or 5 years old... they remembered two phrases: "Grandma, grandpa; no!" and "Shut up." (I was rather embarrassed to find I was the one that taught them these little phrases.)

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Now for mom. As you can imagine, mom is a very dynamic person. She is such a comic... and she is also a stern disciplinarian when she needs to be (I am still afraid to cross my mother - I have a healthy respect for her authority.)

Mom is one of my very best friends.

I remember her spending hours on my hair and makeup for dance recitals, pageants and church. One Sunday in particular, she was fixing my hair (at the time it was very long) for church. I was standing as she didn't want me to sit, due to the length of my hair. Well, I didn't leave enough of a bend in my knees... so I passed out cold on her.

I remember blacking out and falling... then waking up to my mother in tears screaming at my brothers to call an ambulance. Of course, dad revived me and I was fine... but I don't think I will ever forget it.
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Skip forward several years... mom always likes to have us try on outfits we receive for Christmas. One year, my older brother Tony (R.I.P.) received a package of underpants. Mom asked him several times to try on his holiday gifts she'd purchased. Finally, he went back and took the outfits with him.

I don't believe any of us saw him grab the package of underpants. A couple of minutes later, here comes Tony (who is in his early 20's, mind you) down the hall dressed in his jeans and shirt that he'd been wearing... with a pair of red, striped underpants over his jeans! It was hilarious!!

Mom was not so amused by his comedy... but it was her gentle motherly urging that prompted the one-man comedy program. (Little did Tony know, I actually got a picture of his act, I will have to post it later).