15 Years Ago Today...

15 years ago today, my sweet mother passed away when I was only 13 yrs old. I was in the 8th grade. My brother was only 9 yrs old and in the 3rd grade.

In Hawaii when I was in 2nd grade with my mom and dad. 

December 7th is usually remembered for Pearl Harbor and what Japan did to Hawaii.

For me it's a day of remember what little memories I have left in my mind of my mother. Losing a parent in 1995 was UNHEARD of. Unless it was some sort of freak accident or car accident. Cancer in an immediate parent just didn't happen back then. Cancer was such a foreign word to me, or any child my age.

My 8th grade team had a team meeting when my mom passed. (like a mini assembly explaining to my classmates that my mother had died) How many of you have had gatherings or assemblies when you were a child explaining such notions of a parent dying possibly a friend of yours parent? It was just unheard of. Didn't happen. Till mine went.

I had a happy child hood. My mother was the epitome was a perfect woman. She married her high school sweetheart (my dad) She waited five years to have her first child. She owned her own business. She was a girl scout troop leader. She was tall, thin, beautiful and never swore or drank or even really got mad about anything. She loved roses. But most of of all, she loved her kids. My brother and I always came first. We were spoiled (not in a bad way) My mom was quite the garage sale shopper and could find amazing toys for sale!!!

She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993. I remember the day she told me. I cried my eyes out. I thought right then and there she was going to die. Call it child instinct. Of course she put on her brave face, and told me as any mother would tell their child that "everything was going to be fine." She had a breast removed. It wasn't to be saved at the stage it was at.

1994 My mother has Kidney Cancer and has a kidney removed. In remission for one cancer and hit with another. Her kidney came out and thus my mother's health deteriorated quickly. She died in my childhood home in our living room. It's a memory that stays with me forever. I don't think any child should have to remember seeing their parent get zipped up in a body bag or watch the Funeral people take her away in their hurst.

Cancer is bad. So young beautiful readers if you read this, TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY. Unless you don't want kids and think you live in the bubble that nothing bad can happen to you, then rock on your bad ways. But bad things do happen to good people. Bill Joel sings it in his song, Only the good die young. Ain't that the truth. She was 39. I'm 28!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't even imagine dying that young!
Do your part and be careful. WEAR SUNSCREEN you foolish sun worshipers. DON'T SMOKE. DONT do DRUGS.

I leave you with my favorite Dave Matthews Band. Celebrate we will for life is short but sweet for certain. 


Cherish every moment you have with your parents. You'll never get those days back. No one lives forever. Be good to them. They brought you into this world, no one should have to see them go as young as I did. 

Here are a few pictures of my mom.

High school senior dance my dad and mom!! Check out my dad's checkered pants! I love this photo it's so faded I'm crazy bout it's vintage appeal!

Early 1990s for sure. haha My mom flipped my bangs out like she had curled hers.

My mom's work attire for owning her own Secretarial Business.

Her Senior Year of HS...not sure what year..1970 something...