Mom has always loved going up to Natural Bridge State Park for lunch.
It's just an hour's drive from us so it's not too terribly tiring for her.
She has lost 20 pounds recently and her clothes are all too large, so we went last week and bought her a pretty new lavender outfit for the special day.
The line for the lunch buffet was out the door, but not one person was willing to argue with a little 4' 9" 93 year old woman when she broke into the front of the line. I may have to take her more places with me.
I was happy to see her eating as she hasn't had much appetite lately. She does love that catfish.
It was a beautiful day. The temperature was in the mid 80s, the sky was blue, and there was a really lovely breeze blowing, which kept it from being too hot.
After I got her settled back into the car after lunch we decided to drive back through the Red River Gorge. It is one of our favorite drives.
She was really proud of herself for not falling asleep, and it gave her a chance to reminisce.
She started talking about the trips she used to take with her mother. My grandmother loved to drive and she would always take my mom with her. Apparently they drove to Ashland Kentucky a couple of times to see a woman name Pherbie. What a name.
My grandmother loved to hike in the mountains, and she told my mom that the first time she went to the Smokey Mountains she rode on a logging train by herself.
She was a pretty strong women. My mom said she thinks I take after her, which was a pretty great compliment. My grandmother often seemed stern, but I know that she kept the family business going through the Great Depression.
That business is still there today. It is still owned and run by members of my family, and it is now the oldest florist in Kentucky. The blue house on the left is where my mom grew up and where I spent many wonderful visits.
Mother's Day turned out to be a good day. Hope yours was too.
Laura, This is a great tribute to your mom and grandmother too. I love the little shop. So cute your mom line jumping.LOL. glad you got her some smaller clothes. Blessings to you, xoxo, Susie
ReplyDeletep.s. hug your mommy for me.
Thanks, Susie. She is pretty good at that line jumping.
DeleteLaura, what a treasure your Mom is! Such a beautiful story that you shared with us! I am so grateful! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWe are lucky that she is still so mentally sharp at her age.
DeleteWhat a sweet little mom you have there. I love that she went to the head of the line at the eatery. lol My kinda gal!! It is nice she had a bit of an appetite. Our whole lives we hope to lose weight (most of us) and then it happens just when we need to keep our strength and weight up a bit. Cute little shop, too. Hope you have a great week- xo Diana
ReplyDeleteI can eat five hundred calories a day and still not lose an ounce. I would be happy to give her some of my extra pounds LOL
Deleteoh how sweet and look at your little mama acting like she owned the place! love it. so glad that you had a lovely mothers day.
ReplyDeleteShe is little, but it definitely doesn't hold her back :)
DeleteWhat a beautiful day you had with your dear Mom. A lovely tribute to strong women in your family. You are blessed. Your Mom looked sweet in her new dress. I love the story about the floral shop that is really neat.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week ~ FlowerLady
We were laughing about her new outfit because it is purple and my dad hated purple. She has never worn it, but there is nothing holding her back now.
DeleteWhat a great mother's day for both of you. How sweet to take your mom and let her remember her some of the happiest times in her past. You are a great daughter to have a day like this for your mom. How cool the floral shop is still in business and still owned by your family members. Have a great week.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Kris
It was a lovely day. We are lucky that the florist and greenhouses are still in business. I spent many wonderful hours there as a child.
DeleteLaura, what a special day spent with your Mom. I love the road trip down memory lane!
ReplyDeleteIt was fun, Linda.
DeleteI hope when I'm that age that my son will do the same for me! I too love the mountains and drives and I can imagine when I'm in my later years, I won't be able to, and will hope that my son will want to take me somewhere into the mountains, just to reminisce and be there in nature. You are wonderful to do that for your mom and she looks so pretty and dressed up! It's so important to hear the stories that our elders tell us...we mush cherish them and urge them on to tell more! I'm glad you had such a nice day. Marilyn
ReplyDeletet's important to hear these stories while we can. Once our parents are gone there is no one left to tell them to us. My mom said she wished she had talked more to her parents before they died.
DeleteYour mom looks fantastic for 93, Laura! Isn't it wonderful to hear these tidbits of years gone past, while we still can? My dad has been writing down his history for us, as he was never one for reminiscing...now that he's not well he's sharing his history with us, which of course makes me cry but is wonderful also.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tribute for both, you mom and grandmother. Your mother looks amazing and enjoying her food although she's lost weight. My mom who is 88 is very thin too, she eats very little, but she is fine.
ReplyDeleteI love their stories from back in the day when they were young. Mother is remembering her youth days and my fathers too.
Much blessings to your mom and may you have her by your side for many years more.
Fabby