Remembering Dot

We live on in the love, the memories and the people we leave behind. Last week the matriarch of my brother-in-law’s family died just short of her 98^th birthday. She had been in my life for over 50 years and was the purest example of service to others I have ever seen.

There was never enough she could do for others—baking cakes, visiting people, spoiling her grandchildren and great grandchildren, making sure I always had a ready supply of her pickled beets (because she knew I loved them) and being a second mom to my sister. She worked hard all her life but there was no complaint about that, she simply accepted whatever life brought her way. She was a cancer survivor and dealt with crippling and painful arthritis. She called her arthritis Arthur and when she moved to assisted living, she confused some people when she said Arthur was visiting her today. To the end, she had to have a supply of cookies on hand so she could give visitors tea and cookies. My sister made whatever cookies she wanted.  Her sweet tooth was legendary. She was still knitting socks for “the boys” until the day she died. 

We will miss her most at Christmas—her favorite holiday. Her house and later her apartment were both full of Christmas decorations (multiple trees, a large Christmas village, nativity scenes, Christmas towels and tablecloths, and wreaths everywhere), special treats and welcome. Christmas dinner was nothing short of a banquet—she made sure everyone had their favorite dish.  When she moved to assisted living—she treated us to Swiss Chalet in the party room (and pizza for those who didn’t like chicken). She loved seeing her great grandchildren running around and building gingerbread houses.

She leaves behind a multitude who will remember her kindness and love. It will live on and guides us. I have posted a cardinal--her favorite bird