A TRIBUTE TO MOM

My amazing Mom, Barbara McMullin Patterson was nearly 92 when she passed away July 30, 2013!  She had dementia the last several years and was in the Sunrise home for the past three.  Despite the discouraging aging process, she persevered to the end pretty darn well, still spreading her unique blend of humor and 'sunshine' to those around her.

Mom was my advocate, my friend, my mentor!

Her zest for life was, I think, her most endearing quality.  She could turn a cloudy day into a party with her (as Dad put it) 'damn positive attitude'!  She could summon the sun with her magic wand and make the rain disappear.  She embodied the meaning of the word 'enthusiasm or...'en-thus (or thee) I am', teaching us that since 'God is in us' we should be the best we can be!   She was generous, almost to a fault!  The more the merrier' was  her war-cry and she could draw people in and make them feel 'at home' like no other!  

Her Christmas neighborhood tea parties were everyone's favorite!  To we children, this was truly the 'magic' of Christmas.  We would leave for school the morning of the tea party with the house in complete disarray and come home to 'fantasy land'!  Mom would have catering ladies in the kitchen putting out hors d'oeuvers and sweets, the 'halls would be decked' in holiday splendor (right down to the bathrooms), the table would be covered with colorful lace cloths adorned with glistening flying reindeer (or her latest centerpiece ..she had many) and our curler- topped, house-dressed mother had miraculously been transformed into  'the hostess with the most-est'!  It was....MAGIC!

Summers at Bear Lake were also magically engineered by Mom, who made sure that there was plenty of company (including families with cute boys) for we girls to entertain.  Before we could begin our play however, work was done and our guests were all part of that action.  Beds made, vacuuming, dishes, basic straightening of the cabin and then we were...free!   Mom usually made a big 'noon meal' so that she didn't have to be in the kitchen when it got hot.  She was a great cook (but messy - like me)!  She would drive the boat for us to water ski, take us raspberry picking or to Paris (Idaho) for the movie of the week then in the evening, teach us how to play cards.   If there was a chore to be done, we all 'pitched in' and, although it seemed like there was NO END to things she could find for us to help her with, she made it worthwhile by letting us play and party into the late night hours, being right there in the fray! 

She was a doer in the community and was dutiful serving in church callings.  She was the consummate ward and stake drama director, getting people up on stage that would never have dared.  She loved to work hard, play hard and laugh hard but often sought solace from all the activity in her sunken bathtub (sometimes with refreshments)!  She and Dad were as diverse a couple as you'll ever meet, but complimented each other in their various talents and activities.  They didn't see eye to eye on many things, but in raising their children they were in sync and enjoyed traveling and sharing with us more than anything! 

I love that Mom had such a great relationship with her children's in-laws.  She saw them as blessings in her life as well and they loved her back.  We all were the recipients of her generosity with family trips (adults and kids) and were 'treated' many times over to cultural events in the city!
She hosted 'most' of her grand children on a trip when they turned 12; a fond memory for our children.  I'm sure they'd agree they couldn't have had a more FUN and energetic grandma (Mootsie)!  

Mom was exactly my age when Dad died.  I'm sure these past two years, she had no idea of what Jim and I went through with his illness, but I know now she is aware.  I look to her as my exemplar as I endure this 'hole' left in my life.  She was a widow for nearly 30 years and didn't let life pass her by!  She engaged it with her desire to be a contributor and to live life to it's fullest with people and places, even though I know there were lonely times.  That she lived so well, despite not having her companion is, I think, no coincidence.  I hold her example in my heart as the key to my moving on; as a guiding light as I go!

I've missed you for a long time Mom and am so happy you're 'back at it' in perfect form. Take good care of Dad, Jim and Jackie, as only you know how!
Make it happen!
I love you!