A Hello from Mom {Columbus Ohio Photographer}

Do you believe in "signs", synchronicity or serendipity? You know, those ever so gentle knocks on the door of your heart from the great beyond/universe/God? We probably receive them more often than we realize... if only we were cognizant or in the moment enough. But when we become aware of those unmistakable moments, they are like rays of sunlight warming our cheek. The other day, I had a sign... a pretty BIG one in fact! It was a very ironic "Hello! I'm fine and I'm here with you!" from my mom.

Mom passed 16 years ago - much too young and too soon (58). During the viewing, children from her school laid origami cranes on her - and so, origami cranes always remind me of her. On the anniversary of her death, April 8th, I was getting beautiful at the hair salon. I was enjoying a wonderful massage/shampoo, and then returned to the stylist’s station. I sat down & looked next to me to find a woman sitting there making origami cranes! Wow! It's funny because I had been thinking I hadn't "felt" her in a while.

Thanks Mom, I love you, too!

After this little "message" from Mom, I decided to go through her old photo albums.




Mom as a baby with her mom, my grandmother.





Always some of my favorite photos of mom - angelic and mischievous at the same time!



Mom's dad, my grandpa. I think Mom got her joie de vivre and happy personality from him.



Mom was from a small town in Eastern Pennsylvania. When she turned 14, she went to the Jersey Shore for summer work with friends. They worked at ice cream shops and later at posh restaurants that saw the likes of Frank Sinatra.





Some of my favorite photos of mom are from her days at Kutztown State Teachers College (now known as Kutztown University). Up to this time she had always just been "Mom". Seeing these photographs was like looking at my mom as a real person. Mom is in the top photo on the left.



Mom was always a fun loving people person. Here she is bottom center.



I have always loved shots from the 1950s - the styles, the mood.
They were always posing & trying for a glamorous look!
Mom is top right under the umbrella!



Mom, top left - yes, with the beer can!
I always loved her smile... & she was always smiling!



Mom's graduation photo from Kutztown College.


Thank you to my photographer friend from across the pond, Claire, for inspiring me to go through Mom's scrapbooks. xo



xoxo Mom....







30 Days of Gratitude 2010/ Good Friends

I count my friends as the most wonderful of blessings. My friends are the family I got to choose.

Life is better when shared! Yesterday was the most wonderful day... It started with having Vietnamese soup with a friend (it has become "our thing") and then we went to rent a truck so I could FINALLY get a sofa! I haven't had a sofa in 10 years - just the love seat from my defunct marriage that I sold 2 months ago. My friend went with me & it is always a fun adventure with him! At the store (World Market) I realized I had left a coupon in my car. A woman behind us heard us talking & had a coupon - 25% off - sweet! We got the sofa to my place & then a very kind gas company man saw us & helped us get the box into my condo! My annulment went through this year & it means soooo much to now have my own little sofa that is just mine (& ready for someone new to sit on with me!). The day was so much more perfect because my friend shared it with me!!

30 Days of Gratitude 2010/ Open Doors

I am developing the patience to wait for a door to open instead of trying to force my way through! And I am thankful for doors that open where I did not expect them to... and for being open to where life might lead me.