Friday, October 23, 2009

Birthday MONTH: Day 23

 

My gosh, my Birthday MONTH is flying by! It's almost over and I'm starting to panic. Or am I starting to pout? Maybe both? Yes. Both. Only 8 days left. {sniff, honk, ahem}

And we're about to open number 6 of my sister Karen's sweet gifts she sent me. Boo hoo...I don't want this to end! {sniff}

This one reads: Our roots, Momma picked 1000's of these...

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Wait a cotton-pickin' minute here!

Is she serious????

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Yep, she's serious! Two bunches full of beautiful faux cotton!

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And I'll let you in on what she wrote inside the card. It is touching...

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...Our roots of the deep South...reminding me of where I come from...the determination and strength instilled in me...the pride and joy of who I am and what I do.

Oh I miss my Mom. I'd give anything to be sitting at her kitchen table, watching her drink her coffee and listening to her stories when she'd talk about her childhood. Her growing up in a family of six children with only my Grandmother raising them meant that every one of the kids had to pull their load around the house, including finding work to put groceries on the table. Even if it meant Mom quitting school in the eighth grade to work in the cotton fields while her little sisters and brothers attended school, she did it. And did happily.

After reminiscing though, she would soon snap out of it and look at me with a hard look and tell me how spoiled I was! She would start bringing up all the things she didn't have when she was growing up and I would just sit there rolling my eyes thinking she was raised in the stone ages. (Dare not I say that out loud!) She would then tell me to do the clothes or dust mop the floors just to get me moving and working. Not an idle moment with her, no ma'am. And with her determination, she graciously raised six of her own kids, had a clean house, a clean yard, and she cooked a meal for us everyday. She was the best.

I am spoiled. Even at 39 years old. I am about as rotten as they get. But I'm proud to say that I have some of Mom's best qualities...pride, joy & determination and I'll never forget where I came from!!! 

Have a wonderful weekend my friends! If you have a spare moment, reminisce about the old times. It does the body (& heart) some good!!!

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oh! I wanted to thank EVERYONE for leaving me such sweet comments about me being published in Artful Blogging and Belle Armoire!!! It is because of you that I am inspired to sit in front of this keyboard and tell my stories!!!! Thank YOU!

21 comments:

GwendolynKay said...

What a sweet and touching story about your Mother. Sounds like she was a beautiful soul. I love the cotton that was sent to you.... You can tuck it in a vase and always have those memories with you. Blessings!
Gwen

WhisperWood Cottage said...

Very special and very inspiring!

Amy

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

What a beautiful post and how lucky your sister and you are to have each other!!

Your mama did good....

Lou Cinda :)

A Fanciful Life said...

Jodie,
What a wonderful sister and family you have. That is such a touching note that Karen wrote to you. I don't want your birthday month to end! The cotton branch is really unique and pretty. Enjoy this birthday-month day!
Sharon :-)

Elaine said...

Love looking at your blog and pictures. And a Happy Birthday!!

I too have some old post cards but i have not seen those with borders....will have to start looking.
I so enjoyed your story of your family and growing up. I came from a large family also .

caren said...

Your Mom sounds like my mom. Oh, how I would love to sit down with coffee again and listen to her stories - if only I had paid better attention! She too was always busy and you better be too!!!! She always told us "Idle hands are the devil's workshop". Is that just a southern saying and a thing that you must always be busy? We were originally from the south :)

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Karen's words to you are so touching and what fond memories you have of your mom (and cotton!). :) My husband came from a family of 6 kids, and just today was saying that he wished his mom was anywhere in the world so that he could go visit her. Unfortunately, she passed away 4-1/2 years ago from cancer and his dad died from congestive heart failure a year and a half after that. The cotton branches really are pretty and such a sentimental gift from a loving sister. All the best to you! :) Tammy

June said...

I have chills down my spine and tears in my eyes after reading your sister's beautiful card and your beautiful thoughts. Your mama would be proud.
Hugs,
June

javabelle said...

Jodie,
Ironic how i found your blog. I googled the 7-mile yard sale looking for the date for the spring sale and came upon your blog. I am originally from arnaudville. I think you have amazing talent and your words are so touching, it's like you are sitting here talking to me. The photos are beautiful and I really look forward to seeing what you write on a daily basis. It's no surprise that you are featured in many magazines. I think you should begin a book, I would certainly buy it. You could start by reliving memories with your mama, that would be nice. Then your grandchildren would have those memories of you and her someday.
Thanks :)

LiLi M. said...

Beautiful post Jodie! I love this tribute to your momma, to your family so to speak. Looking back and still being humble is always good! Have a nice weekend and enjoy the days to come of your birthday month!

Anonymous said...

My sweet friend and sister in junking,
I know how hard it must be not to have your mom around. I dont know what I would do if I didnt. I will gladly share mine with you for she loved your sweet heart and the friendship you have given me when I need it the most and just for no reason at all! I always love hearing about my grandma stories of picking cotton and the hard times of her life. She always made sure that my life was full of things she never got just like my mom does. I know you will never forget her love of cajun country and her love for you. I can see why she loved you sooo much your the sweetest person and the biggest heart. BIG BIG HUGS my sweet friend! love you.
hugs-
Sarah

Cindy said...

Awwwwww, she sounds amazing! I can identify with missing em, as I miss my each and every day. Love that faux cb's (we sell em at the store, I think they are fab). And beautiful card, inside and out! :D

hugs,
c
yapping cat

trash talk said...

That's a present to us...sharing a little of your memories. What a wonderful story. With genes like that, remind me never to get in a fight with you...unless we're on the same side! BTW, my daddy dropped out of the 8th also and for the very same reasons and did the same job.
Debbie

Draffin Bears said...

What a sweet and touching story Jodie.
I loved hearing about your Mama and it is fun to reminisce about old times. Your Mama would be so proud of you.
The cotton branch is lovely and how neat that your sister Karen wrote such a lovely letter to you.

Happy birthday ~ Day 23
Hugs
Carolyn

WIZARD OF ONCE WAS "WooW" said...

Jodie,
I wasn't expecting that you blog was going to make me cry and miss my Mom so very much. As we have talked, she died from Alzheimers in 1999, rough, but, Oh I have such sweet memories of her and your post brought many to light...thank you...Needing to stop and smell the roses a little more often!!

On a second note...YOU'VE BEEN BOO'D!! Get on over to my blog girl and see!

My Best
Gale

Mindy said...

Don't you just love family and history and love? I sure do! Happy Birthday month! ~Mindy

Lori said...

Jodie, your mother sounds like she was truly a wonderful lady...i think that is so sweet that your sister gave you the cotton...and the note she wrote for you is so very touching...thanks for sharing that!!!

The Pink Birdhouse said...

What a beautiful tribute to your Mother. I miss my Mom every day too, and feel sad that I am no longer anyone's "little girl". Even at 52 everyone needs to feel like someone's little girl! And it is strange to think that no one out there is as proud of me and my accomplishments as my mother would have been. She encouraged me in everything I did. I, like you, think back to where I came from and know that I am who I am because of my mother!! Great post, Jodie, and CONGRATULATIONS on being published in 2 VERY fine magazines. I order those two over seas so I will be able to read the articles about you!! How exciting to think i will "know" someone who is published!! warmly, Debby

cindy-stitches-n-stuff.blogspot.com said...

Love the story of your mom and the south. I lived in Georgia for 3 years while my husband went to Walter F George School of Law in Macon. I had dreamed about the south since I was in grade school. I consider myself to be a southerner at heart. I think I can sincerely feel how much you miss your mom.

Your enjoyed a nice long birthday haven't you?

cindy@stitches

The Victorian Parlor said...

Oh Jodie-this is beautiful:).

Birthday Blessings,

Kim

Karen said...

You got to dust mop the floors too? Must be a 50's thing for Moms. Did you wash your tennis shoes in the suds in the bucket, and "don't forget to rinse them good or you know they'll be stiff."
I too miss my Mom. I kept asking for just one more day - but know that would never be enough.
What a reunion it will be someday - don't you think?
Hugs.