I am writing this edition of Steve’s Story on Tuesday, April 30, 2024…my mother’s birthday.

She would have been 90 years old today. Instead she is celebrating eternity where age is no longer an issue. My mother suffered with alzheimer’s. I had the privilege of having her close by in those last years and would see her almost every day. Although, she could not always call me by name, she always knew that I was someone important in her life.

On her birthday my mind if filled with wonderful memories.

I remember her playing the piano at church every Sunday and her long finger nails clicking on the keyboard. Of course, my favorite was Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer that she always would play for me as a child.

I remember following her around the mall as she would shop until she dropped. My brother and I were her transportation, security detail, and the one’s who carried her bags while she shopped, shopped, shopped!

I remember she made the best popcorn ever. None of this stuff in the bag you put in the microwave. Hers was always in a big pot shaken over the stove. She had the perfect formula of popcorn, salt, and real butter. There were many late nights around the fire devouring popcorn and watching tv.

I remember how she always made Christmas special for the family. Even when our family had very little she always made sure there was something special for Christmas. I got to where I could recognized the size of box and could often guess what was inside. This infuriated her. One year she promised me a one hundred dollar bill if I could quess what was in one particular box. I tried…but in a million years I would not have guess a giant plastic clothspin paper weight for my desk. She won.

Thank you for be patient and allowing me to share some memories on my Mom’s birthday. Even after 10 years I still miss her. However, memories such as these cause me to stop and smile. Heaven must be wonderful.

This is my story…