<p>JYM, I didn’t apply to Yale because I couldn’t use the essay I’d written for my other colleges. So I understand your son perfectly. I’m sorry your father’s caretaker passed away, I remember you had said she was ill.</p>
<p>And now as this day winds to a close, please fellow denizens raise a toast to one funky, spunky lady: my mom. While my dad was off flying a B-17 in WW II, she was working at home and dreamt all her life of being a chorus girl in musical theatre. Instead, she worked as a librarian and then when she couldn’t stand being stuck at home as a '50s wife, she started an incredibly successful thrift shop at her church. She never slowed down for a moment, until the day 18 years ago when she had the first in a series of incapacitating strokes, after which she never walked or talked again. She did get to see her two baby grandsons grow up to become wonderful young men full of promise and life, and I like to think she approved of the way I brought them up.</p>
<p>She passed away this afternoon after 84 years of gracing the earth, whistling loudly to muzak in stores and embarrassing her teenaged daughter, and raising hell whenever necessary. Please raise a toast, and be kind to a stranger soon on her behalf. She would have approved.</p>
<p>mootmom: Oh, I’m so sorry! Please accept my condolescences. For your mom, I think the fanciest cocktail the bar can make. What a wonderful role model. I am sure she approved of your mothering. I am also sorry for her suffering for the past 18 years. My mom is the same age, and we are so lucky to still have her, too.</p>
<p>Be sure to put a paper umbrella in that cocktail, and either stick it behind your ear or hold it it between your teeth and twirl it with your tongue when you’re done drinking. That would be totally appropriate. </p>
<p>And thanks, mythmom. :)</p>
<p>mootie,
So terribly sorry to her about your mom. She sounds like she was a pistol. I guess the apple doesnt fall far from the tree in that regard. When it rains it pours here in the alley. I shall toast you and your mom with an apricot sour with the little umbrella in it for sure. Maybe even a piece of pineapple and a maraschino cherry. Please know our thoughts are with you and your family. </p>
<p>By the way, a little sidebar. Did I tell you that I’ve reconnected with an old friend who went to your s’s school (FD). Your discussions about the school led me to reconnect with an old friend. So, thanks for that.</p>
<p>mootmom, I’m so sorry about your mother. My father died just two years ago a few days before his 80th birthday, but my mother is still going strong at age 82. The 18 years of incapacitation must have been so difficult for all of you.</p>
<p>Oh mootie. But just think. She saw one grandchild go to MIT, and one graduate from TSFH status. And you married to a famous inventor. So from what I know, she is proud of you. And even so I am so sorry for your loss.</p>
<p>It’s the Alley. We raise our glasses. We smell the sugar syrup. We all love some mother or another, even if it’s ourselves.</p>
<p>All my best to you. Sincerely. You are of the clan of the good hearts.</p>
<p>I’m so sorry to hear about your mom, Mootmom. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.</p>
<p>Mootmom,
What a big loss for you. It sounds like you really know how to treasure all those memories of your Mom. You were lucky to have each other. Peace and rest, it’s been a long day for you.</p>
<p>mootie,</p>
<p>I am sorry to hear about your mom. My condolences to you and your family. I would like to think that she now sing and dance for all eternity with the best of the best, because I am sure that is what she was to you and yours.</p>
<p>So here, here let’s raise a glass and give a toast, a do one our our best high kicks to mootie’s mom - one hellava dame!</p>
<p>Sending my love mootie. So sorry for your loss.</p>
<p>Mootie,</p>
<p>Both my parents are still alive, but I have lived through the loss of both in laws, one gradually due to Parkinsons, the other suddenly and traumatically.</p>
<p>Our thoughts are with you and yours.</p>
<p>Dear Mootie,
My heartfelt condolences. Grace and peace to you and your family.
Renee</p>
<p>::: opens door with pinky finger, arms laden with #*@#&! electronic boombox gizmo; holds door open with left foot; drags in oversized speakers:::</p>
<p>Let’s have a little MUZAK in here. So we can all sing along. mootie, did she have a particular favorite? A toast to mootGrandmom…</p>
<p>Mootie–let me add my condolences to those already here. All I can do is play your mom’s favorite piece of “churchy” music on the organ so she can whistle along. Or would that be “secular” music on the church organ for a feisty lady?</p>
<p>All my best.</p>
<p>mommusic…I’m thinking a good polka on a organ may be in order…either that, or show tunes so she can finally join the chorus line. I join the others w/ my good thoughts to you mootie. I’m sure the last 18 months have been very difficult for all of you. She’s at peace now.</p>
<p>astrophysicsmom-
Not to be a stickler (tho I am, lol) but I think mootie said her mom’s strokes were 18 YEARS ago, not 18 mos ago. It has surely been a long haul for mootie. My thoughts are with her and her family at this time.</p>
<p>Mootie,
So sorry for your loss. It’s so difficult to lose a mom. Love to you and your family.</p>
<p>Woot woot for the moot mom! She’s gone to march her own beat in another arena.</p>
<p>Anyone got any good news to share?? Been kinda somber around here lately. Actually, I’ll go first. ds#2 got one of those very inticing “free ride with stipend, summer travel money and a laptop” offers from a Big State U not too far away yesterday, complete with a pretty certificate suitable for framing. Too bad he is not the least bit interested. Hrrmmph.</p>