Monkling’s Blog

Today is Mom’s birthday. She would have been 70. It’s hard to imagine her at 70; to imagine what she might have looked like today. This is her on her 16th birthday:

This past Easter, my sister and youngest brother were talking when they called me over. My sister asked me, “Did Mom use the phrase impatient virgin?” I had forgotten all about that but I confirmed that she did indeed use that phrase. I don’t recall hearing it used ever since. At the time, I didn’t think anything of her saying that but now, looking back, it seems a bit uncharacteristic. I wouldn’t exactly say Mom was a prude but pretty close to it so, when we recalled her saying that, we thought it was pretty funny.

Later in life, Mom started getting a little uh… cranky. We have no idea if it was due to depression, the brain tumor or both but she did come out with some pretty funny stuff. One day she came home from the local drug store ranting about the pharmacist. He told her to “Have a good one.”

“What is that supposed to mean? “ Each time she went in there, he would say that until she finally snapped back at him saying, “Have a good what?”

I wonder what it was like when she got up to heaven. Somehow I imagine it may have gone like this:

Ma: Couldn’t you have waited another week to take me? I’m missing my 45th wedding anniversary now.
St. Peter: Marie, think of what a wonderful celebration you’ll be able to have here with us.
Ma: But my children and grandchildren aren’t here. How can I have a party without them?
St. Peter: You do have some grandchildren here, already. And your parents, your in-laws. I’m sure you’ll have a very good time here.
Ma: My mother in-law is here? And you can’t tell me Marion made it up here!
St. Peter: You’re holding up the line. Just go on in and enjoy yourself. Welcome to heaven. Have a good one.
Ma: Have a good what?

Happy Birthday, Mom!

And if my little brother wanders on here, Happy Birthday, Paul. Have some Junior Mints.

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