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In 2003, I dedicated my garden page to my mom, Ophia Alice Miller Fritts, who passed away on February 11, 2003. Part of the content was written for Mother's Day of 2002 as explained below. I decided to preserve these sentiments here in April, 2004.
Mom and the Tiger Lillies
Mom loved flowers. In this picture she is standing in front of her house with her church in the background. Anytime we were taking a picture, Mom always wanted us to get the church in the background. This is the view from her favorite place to sit. In the later years as two trees started to block her view of the church, I was tempted to contact the neighbors to get those trees cut.
Vegetables
Here Mom and Mandy pose in front of shelves of canned goods. When I was looking for photos of Mom with flowers, most of the pictures I found were of her preparing or serving food. But to be honest most of the vegetables were grown or supervised by Dad. There were many hours of us picking beans and pulling them from the vines and then breaking them for canning or freezing. The job of cleaning and preparation was a joint effort but the canning or freezing and cooking was always done by Mom.The room in this picture was surrounded by windows on two sides which was full of plants. These plants were always healthy. It was one of the first signs of Mom's failing health when the plants in the windows started turning brown. I will try to find a photo which includes the plants in those windows to add here.
For Mother's Day, 2002, I was afraid that people would forget all the great things that Mom had accomplished in her life since her last years were dominated by Alzheimer's Disease. I wrote the following in a Mother's Day card. This card was not for Mom because I knew she would not read it but rather to remind those who visited her."Old Timers disease has robbed you of your memories. However, many memories flood my mind. I would like to share a few with you and others who read this.
Food: You had lots of food on the table and we always ate it all. When we went to the fields, you sent sandwiches or beans and cornbread. Later when we visited, you never let us get away without loading us up with sandwiches.
Plants: You could make anything grow. The dining room windows were always lined with vigorous healthy plants. Any container became a pot filled with beautiful flowers that always grew.
Sewing: When we were small, you made us shirts. Nothing was discarded. Scraps became curtains, quilts, or a woven rug. The thing I remember more than anything was stuffed animals or pillows. These days they call it crafts but you made them just for us.
Writing: When there was anyone who needed minutes taken, it was you who kept the records. It was you who wrote articles for the paper. It was you who wrote in the family bible.
Clubs: You were active in many clubs from the Card Class at Sunday School to the Home Demonstration Club to serving as an election official. You were a substitute teacher at school and active in the PTA.
Singing: I remember anytime there was a singing at church, you were always there and tried your best to teach me those notes.
There are many many more. Happy Mother’s Day!"
After Mom's death, I think it must be part of God's plan to enable us to cope that our minds immediately return to the good times. Everyone had a favorite story to tell. Some were about church. Others were about food. Others were about her writing. Mom also loved to fish. As time goes on, I will try to find other photos which represent her many loves.
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