tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111007803730909803.post7821885143061259789..comments2023-05-01T07:57:02.054-07:00Comments on AMAZING WORDS : Momma MiaBarbara Hoylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11789458949936651728noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111007803730909803.post-19977076932218135032016-03-11T17:18:09.983-08:002016-03-11T17:18:09.983-08:00My mother, a bohemian woman, a prolific thinker, a...My mother, a bohemian woman, a prolific thinker, an artist, a writer, a staunch Democrat who believed in peace. She stood knee deep in the bloody World War II - she was a survivor, and she possessed a wry wit through it all. She was considered an eccentric by all the standard conservative Stepford housewives of the 1950's. Her children mourn our tremendous mother and we take with us cherished individual memories of her fight not flight from what can be a cruel world. She was the first Beatnick to wear thigh high boots that were made for walking...and she dazzled in her duality as an American mom with a firm German heritage. Recounting her amazing struggle to "fit" in would be like trying to explain the intricacies of oil painting to a blind person. She was fierce in her political and spiritual beliefs, but diplomatically, she simply shrugged her elegant shoulders whenever people held opposing philosophies. It has been a week since she closed her eyes for the final rest...and this blog post is to honor my mother in a timeless, in a never to be ashamed of her ways. I love you Momma! Your youngest, Barbara Sue!Barbara Hoylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11789458949936651728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111007803730909803.post-8853511890889751732016-03-11T14:26:02.905-08:002016-03-11T14:26:02.905-08:00CHILDHOOD MEMORIES BY MY BROTHER "CAPTAIN BEN...CHILDHOOD MEMORIES BY MY BROTHER "CAPTAIN BENITO" AKA "BENNY" The next few years were foggy because my sisters showed up. They got more attention, of course, but I would punish them on a regular basis. The family had moved to the San Joaquin Valley where Dad had found employment. Life in Stockton improved our family situation. Mom did some work in the carnival for a while...they would put her in a box and saw her in half. At four years old, this would freak me out a little. Dad drove a taxi. Dad's second job was selling stuffed animals door to door. Like I said, Mom, being European was always doing some strange things to us. The problem for me was that on a certain Christmas, a special outfit was presented to me. I was so excited thinking it was a brand new Cub Scout uniform. That wasn't it. Opening the present, in front of the whole family, to my horror appeared this forest green pair of German leather shorts with all the trimmings (Bavarian hat and knee socks). Dad just smiled, he wasn't going to wear it. I was "show and tell" at school for days. Classroom to classroom, they would march me around. Church on Sunday was real special. At least I got to take off the Robin Hood hat with the feather sticking out of it. I would drag my butt, on the sidewalk, on the way home just to wear a hole in the shorts, but I just managed to give the leather a good shine. We had some strange pets. I wanted a dog so, we got a monkey. Suzy, the spider monkey, was even more cunning than my sisters. This old circus performer could steal your cookies with her tail using her hands or teeth to distract you. Life was a little scary at our house. Mom would dress Suzy in a pink tutu and walk into Safeway. That was funny except I looked like the organ grinder next to her in my outfit. My sisters were angry little women with pigtails. I love them still. They were younger and made my life interesting. I continued to change from wanting to be cowboy to being a pirate and now I live in Mexico and enjoy the Sea of Cortez with family and friends. The Bean has not had the courage to visit…yet. Barbara Hoylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11789458949936651728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111007803730909803.post-81487557395802027692016-03-11T13:40:57.911-08:002016-03-11T13:40:57.911-08:00Communications from my soul mate amigas: My Deares...Communications from my soul mate amigas: My Dearest good friend....so sorry to hear about your mom. It is hard to watch our moms decline and wither from their full blossom. Your plate has been overflowing with activity....no dust under your lovely feet...and I believe a busy mind and hands are best. I update my mom's Online memorial daily with pictures and all comments put on Facebook. How others fondly know or remember our parents is great to read. Their role as mom is different than the character that they portray on the stage of life. We shared great moments all cuddled up in her bed in January... and I praise God for his mercy and grace on her soul. God has given me Peace about her final destination...and I too keep myself busy...the Frida Society meets for a fashion show on Monday, and I volunteer in the garden At the historical train station...fingers in the dirt, mind in heaven. Mom gave each of her kids a spirit of adventure and her absence made us independent...some times, too independent on ourselves and not God. The FINAL CRUISE of Sandi Patty...our room is midship...not ocean view...no cabin number assigned. $500.00 deposit per person required....I am certain it will sell out quickly as many on her 2016 cruise are going on her last songbird sail. I hope you can come. Mike and I are in the midst of remodeling outside our Casa, new tiles, new paint, new plants, a home with all the standard USA home blessings...to include majorly improved water pressure for our showers. All to be finished next week and Mike is taking me back to the beach in Manzanillo for a few days. Away from all electronics...with the fullest intention to allow the waves to crash and wash all my mind and soul chatter away. Ben, Mary and I will reunite to spread mom's ashes. No date or time picked just get...probably meetup in Phoenix. Take care my dear...and get your hands in your garden! Spring is about to be gloriously unleashed. Love and hugs, Barb --------------------------------------------------------------------Oh Barb, Thank you for the day brightener!! You are a gifted writer!! I am running out in the rain today to Sacto...I have 2 doctors speaking to a group of attorneys today at a lunch I am hosting. Hope to just veg ...this weekend!! I will have some time to think about the cruise and if that would work for me. Again.....love and blessings...and prayers as you remember and memorialize your beloved Momma Mia! She certainly blessed you with an abundance of and adventuresome soul.......Much love to you and Mike! Diana ------------------------------------------------------Barbara, Thank you for the nice email. You learned many positive things from your mother and you are honoring her by sharing your lovely memories with us. Grieving must take place and going through pictures and "things" help that process. I still miss my special mother and look forward to being with her in heaven, as you look forward to being with your mother in heaven. God is good. It would be so much fun to cruise with you but February doesn't work for us to travel because of Ron's work schedule. Let's do something fun together this summer 2016. Have fun in Manzanillo. Love, Bobbi WignallBarbara Hoylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11789458949936651728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111007803730909803.post-5829983787614377012016-03-11T13:39:53.738-08:002016-03-11T13:39:53.738-08:00I was awakened this morning with many fond memorie...I was awakened this morning with many fond memories of special times with my mom. Vividly remembered my mom walking us down East Worth in Stockton to visit Mr Pusies, an old immigrant from Russia. We brought him sponge cakes for every Christmas. I remember having Christmas Eve dinner at Joe's Mexico Cafe in downtown Stockton. I remember giggling as I peeked through the keyhole at the age of five at my mom trying to plunge our pet spider monkey named "Sue" into the bath water at our home on El Dorado Street. I remember mom applauding that I hammered nails on the heels of my patent leather shoes so that I could tap, tap, tap like Shirley Temple on the fireplace hearth. I remember mom driving me at age 14 to San Francisco Haight Ashbury...in the sixties, in the green Rambler..to see if hippies were all that bad. Momma Mia left the keys ontop of the car, we strolled the street window shopping, enjoyed a cup of coffee and a pastry, then returned to discovered that hippies were peaceful, honest people because the keys and car were still there. Remembering a road trip to Hollywood and we placed our hands in Shirley Temple's prints at the Chinese Theater. Remembering enjoying a two day Downtown Abbey fest with my mom as she recovered from a surgery. Remembering coffee and coohan in Trier, in Shuen Ecken, in Brussels, in Brazil, and in California with my beautiful mother. Remembering her saying Pupe, let's have some tea". I remember telling my mom "I love you just the way you are. Your unique ways have always included curiosity and adventure. Your uniqueness is my blessing, and I assure you Mom, I wouldn't ever have wanted to trade you in for a 'normal' mother....ever!" I will miss you Momma Mia.Barbara Hoylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11789458949936651728noreply@blogger.com