As times passes, I realize more and more that my mom was a connector.
From the early days of the internet and e-mail (and before), she was one of the people that kept her Jackson High School (Jackson, TN) classmates in in touch with each other. She kept the lines of communication open and always was in the middle of the high school reunion planning.
My mom was the same way with her nursing school basketball teammates, as she hosted an annual chili dinner at our house in conjunction with the Vanderbilt-Tennessee women's basketball game at Memorial Gymnasium. She worked with Coach Jim Stockdale to purchase a block of tickets for the game, too. On several occasions, there were as a many people - former teammates, husbands, and children - sitting in the seats she purchased for the game. She worked tirelessly, with others, to see that Coach Stockdale was properly honored with an endowed scholarships (UT Women's School of Nursing and UT Lady Vols Basketball) for his many contributions as coach for 26 years of the University of Tennessee School of Nursing women's basketball team.
Growing up, it seemed my mom was forever hosting summer picnics, Vanderbilt basketball watch parties for family and friends, and organizing dinners for her friends at Sportsman's Grille.
Closer to home, literally, my mom insisted that our extended family get together at her house for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. She was the matriarch of our family in all the best ways. She loved nothing more than seeing that everyone had enough to eat when we celebrated Thanksgiving at her house, long before she made herself a plate. I can still see her on Christmas Day, in the playroom at her house, smiling happily as she sat in the midst of uncontrolled chaos of four generations of family opening up presents the same time. She always protested half-heartedly as wadded up balls of wrapping paper flew threw the air and hit an unwitting cousin in the side of the head.
My mom always talked to all of us regularly, most often about our children, Vanderbilt sports, or whatever topic Kevin Ingram, Frank Wychek, and Mark Howard (the morning show) or George Plaster, Willy Daunic, and Darren McFarland (the afternoon show) had covered on sports talk radio that day. Always staying connected.
Since she died almost six years ago, my family has drifted apart to some extent which, I guess, is to be expected. Fewer get togethers and rarely with our cousins involved. Not as many telephone calls. Covid-19 created a bad habit of not gathering tougher as a family, which is hard to break, I think. Everyone coming and going. Busy living life.
I do miss my acutely this time of year, though. Her laugh. How we teased each other. Her wisdom. Most of all, her unwavering love and support for me.
Merry Christmas, Mom. I love you.
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