This photo was taken on the last trip I ever took with my mother, just over a year ago. Today she passed away at the age of 82. What a beauty she was. Anyway, it was during this trip that we visited most of my childhood homes in Minnesota. One of them was in Taylor's Falls. Once we found that house, my mom told how she used to dance in the yard. It was such a happy place. The following is a piece I wrote about that place.
The Company Chairs
By Kareen King
When I was five years old, my family lived in a brick rancher on a hill overlooking the St. Croix River in Taylor’s Falls, Minnesota. My dad worked as a general practitioner and my mom stayed home with me and my younger brother and sister. I have a few fleeting recollections including playing in the sandbox, swinging from the monkey bars, and sitting on the front steps waiting for the fire department to arrive after my dad accidentally set the yard on fire while burning leaves. And there was the time I stood at the edge of the cliff with my gaze toward the St. Croix, and tossed a soda cracker into the air to watch it cascade down the rocks. I wanted to see it land in the water. I doubt it made it that far. My brother Eric and I shared a bedroom and I remember pulling his crew cut hair while he was sleeping just to watch the little grimace on his forehead accentuated by his cute, chubby cheeks.
One time my mom made me a bologna sandwich which I took outside to the front yard to eat. Just as I took my first bite, a big black dog wandered into the yard and approached me. I gave him the rest of my sandwich. The minute that sandwich transferred from my hands and into his mouth, I felt immediate guilt and regret. Though the act of making a bologna sandwich requires little effort, nonetheless it was her little gift to me and I threw it away.
Some of my memories are not my own, but my mother’s though mostly about Eric. She told me that Eric and I used to be the best playmates, spending hours in the basement. She told me about the time he wandered into a neighbor’s house and emptied the vacuum cleaner bag over his head.
But there was the memory she gave me about myself. Even until the last year of my mom’s life, she repeatedly told me the story of the dining room chairs that she had beautifully reupholstered in blue and white checkers. She would always dramatically reenact my line, “Do I get to sit in the company chairs?” I’m not sure why that was such a huge deal to her, but it was.
I used to get annoyed at hearing my mom tell me the same stories over and over again. Today I would love nothing more than to hear her tell me one more time about the “company chairs.”
Karen, did I understand correctly that your Mom died today? I am so sorry for you to have lost her. Your photo and memorial story is beautiful. Thank you for sharing and may your memories of her be many bringing you comfort and strength...
@lanikyea First of all, thanks so much for your kind words. She actually died on September 14. I just couldn’t bring myself to post a photo on the day of her death until today.
So sorry for your loss. It will be a while before you will be able to relate the stories of your Mom without feeling sad, but one day the memories will make you smile and even laugh out loud. What a lovely tribute to your Mom.
treasure those photos and memories - it's so hard to loose your mum. I lost mine 16 years ago but a day doesn't go by when I think of her or see something she loved or cherished. My heartfelt sympathy to you Kareen.
A beautiful portrait I&loving story Kareen...memories are so precious...warm hugs to you & so great you could finally post this lovely photo & share your feelings,
Such a lovely photo of your mom. I am sorry for your loss. I lost my mom about 9 months ago. Not long ago, we drove around looking at old homes where my parents first started married life. I was fortunate to have all this. I spent about 5 months putting together 2 books of my parents history for the grandkids. It was healing. Again, my condolences on your loss.
