Things I want you to know about my mother

Today is Oct. 2. If my mom were still living, it would be her birthday. She would be 62.

My mom has been gone for more than 10 years, now, though. And as I was thinking about her tonight, it occurred to me -- most of the friends who read my blog never got to meet her. There are things I want you to know about her. So in a twist on the classic "things you don't know about me" blog-list, here's "things I want you to know that you probably don't know about my mother."

1. She had an amazing sense of humor. Very ready, and very dry.

2. She was patient and gentle. Really, I don't think I can ever remember her raising her voice. (Of course, she wasn't raising us kids, either. I never lived with her once I was past the age of 4, or maybe 5, so it wasn't a typical mother/child, 24-hour-a-day relationship. But still, even when I was an adult, I never knew her to lose her temper about anything. I think that's remarkable.)

3. She had a seductive voice.

4. She was a talented writer and artist, though she was never formally trained as either. Regarding writing: She could write circles around me (science fiction and mystery short stories were her favorite genres to write, I seem to remember). Regarding art: Pen and ink was her favorite medium. She would create incredibly detailed drawings (again, science-fictionish), but I also vividly remember her coloring geometric designs with markers and also making home-made paper dolls for me.

5. She was a bookworm. Loved to read.

6. Though she had only a 9th-grade education, she was a scholar. Very intelligent.

7. You would have enjoyed conversations with her. She was interested in and knowledgable about so many things. That, coupled with her sense of humor (see #1), made her a great conversationalist.

8. My children called her Gran-Gran. She only met Emma and Eli, but of all my children, Aden is probably most like her.

9. Twenty years after they divorced, she still loved my dad.

10. She noticed Steven's beautiful green eyes even before I did. She thought they were the most beautiful shade of green she'd ever seen.

11. Her favorite "gospel" song was "Mansion Over the Hilltop" -- to which I know all the words.

12. She was opinionated, but open-minded.

13. She valued friendship highly, but solitude re-energized her.

14. She was incredibly brave. At last count, she had 14 debilitating heart and lung illnesses.

15. She was all about showing some grace to people. Very non-judgmental.

16. She called me Sister.

17. The last time I ever hugged her, she smelled like baby powder.

Momma wasn't perfect: don't misunderstand. But my memories of her are sweet, and these are the things I celebrate about her.