#Juneau night moods full#

It was time to put into motion the second part of this newly planned tradition - sending off a sky lantern.Īfter pausing to pray, I lit the sky lantern and sent it off while singing “Happy Birthday” to Mom.

#Juneau night moods full#

With a full stomach, a warmed heart, and a bucket of blueberries in tow, I journeyed home, but not without stopping first at a picturesque roadside lookout. It was a wonderful evening with good friends, and Mom's presence was definitely felt - and missed.

And I brought Momma’s peach cobbler, always a hit.

Lisa prepared an amazing meal, topped off with carrots, herbs, and garlic from her garden. My dear friend, Sarena, joined us and naturally livened the sombre mood. This was the same spot where we had picked berries in 2015, so it was even more meaningful of a location. My friend, Lisa, lives “out the road” in prime berry picking territory, and this was the perfect spot to focus on this new tradition and be reminded of quality time with Mom. Now, I have another reason to appreciate it more. I love berry picking, partly for this reason, and partly because it’s an experience I never had growing up as a city girl in Alabama. Plus, there’s nothing quite like the small pleasure of a blueberry smoothie during the depths of winter, once the snow has fallen and the days are short. Berry picking is the summer-time stress reliever that sustains the soul and distracts the mind. We had a blast last summer, and those are some of the memories that sustain me during these dark times.Īfter much contemplation, I decided that berry picking would be a simple yet poignant way to stay in remembrance of my very Best Friend. Mom was terrified of bears (caterpillars, too), and I was so proud of her for stretching outside her comfort zone and hanging out in the bushes with me. We had so much fun seeing who had picked the most berries and teasing each other about wildlife in the woods. Last summer, Mom and I went berry picking together when she visited me here in Juneau. This first year, I wanted to choose a beautiful tribute for Mom that I could continue from year to year, something to look forward to annually in celebration of the blessing of Mom’s 66 years of life. Like cooking a standing rib roast for Christmas or wearing a special birthday necklace on March 10 or lighting a small candle in honor of my Dad every November 19.īut this year brings the opportunity to create a new tradition, a way to remember - and celebrate - my dear sweet Momma on her birthday, August 24. May the memory of your Loved Ones be eternal. Here's to the blessing of shared memories, warm hugs, and the comforting presence of dear friends. It was a deeply touching evening, one I hope to take part in again next year. We sat around eating and sharing our cherished memories and celebrating our Loved Ones. Other than that, I wasn't sure what else to expect for the evening.Īs folks gathered together in the cozy space of my friends' home, we had a smorgasbord of memorial dishes laid before us - lasagna from a WWII recipe, mashed potatoes with a secret ingredient, broccoli and mayo, white chicken enchiladas, kielbasa in pumpkin porter, grandpa's pecan pie, grandma's peanut brittle, decadent chocolate sauce, and saucy finger lickin' good barbecue ribs. That's right, you guessed it: Momma's peach cobbler. Their invitation simply stated, 'You are invited to bring anything to share which reminds you of those you love.' I knew instantly what to contribute.

I'm thankful that today, my lovely friends, Jenny and Chelsea, introduced me to the tradition of All Saints' Day when they hosted a potluck in honor of the occasion. It seems I was always recovering from the sugar high of Halloween or more focused on trading candy with my parents and my friends. It was a fitting subject because today, the 1st of November, also happens to be All Saints' Day.Īdmittedly, I never really paid much attention to this day of remembrance when I was growing up in the Deep South. Since losing my Mom in March, I have appreciated the gentle guidance of a page-a-day journal called 'Healing After Loss.' Today's meditation was on the topic of the 'communion of saints' - the fellowship between the living and the departed.