Hello Friends!
The whole limo gang |
But some joking aside, we are celebrating the life of my mother, Wanda, and without her as the focus it was just another ride in a extra-long stretch, black, sleek, leather decked, mood lit taxi ride. Umm... with free alcohol. Seriously though, it was a wonderful time with family and close friends. Thank you to the special family who donated the unlimited dream ride for the day, your hearts know absolutely no bounds and may God bless you for your continuous displays of love.
Saturday afternoon, the ride started out with the extra-tall Reid clan wedging ourselves into the limo with my mom's dear friend, Joann and her wonderful grand daughter who just happens to be a complete doll and my daughter's best friend. So the entire "family" set out from Murrieta at about 2pm with our driver, James. YES! Your heard correctly, his name was James! I am still wondering if he made that up for us so that we could bust out with our ridiculous, pseudo English accents and say typical things like, "drive on James" or "have a care James, the old bird is dozing!" For putting up with our jokes he wins the "101 stupid limo jokes" award and he really was a dear man despite his lead foot (more on this later).
In the Limo we all poured champagne and sparkling cider respectively and took turns toasting Wanda and telling her the one thing that stood out in our minds most about her. Here is a highlight:
Wanda is always there when you need her, so very dependable. She is always smiling, at everyone, at everything, she always has a smile on her face that glows. Wanda is good at taking care of her family and is always performing acts of love for others. She is the glue that holds people together, no matter the cost. She is a woman of great faith and of great love.
The Reid family and mama Wanda |
After the special time of togetherness, and of watching Joann and mom play with all the gadgets and buttons for a while, we finished our champagne and settled in to chat about life and the sweet gift that it is. Mom talked about how much she loved her first limo ride and how nice it was inside. We talked about ministry work and sacrifice and how blessed we are as a nation. I think these conversations never get old, they always remind us of the perspective that God has blessed us so much!
The very beautiful Wanda and Joann |
Dinner was at the divine Firefly restaurant located in the Dana Resort in Mission Bay. Actually, I should call in a Linner sort of meal since we were there and starving by 3:30pm. We had the restaurant to ourselves and took full advantage of the waitresses attention. Mom ordered fried Brussel Sprouts for an appetizer and hearing this I was mentally pitched back to my childhood with memories of all the absolutely awful things my mom made us eat. I suppose as an automatic defense mechanism I suddenly remembered the creative ways to throw out my mushy veggies without my mom catching me. I mean, I have it down to a science, but here 25 years later, I felt a little rusty. Was she serious?!!! FRIED BRUSSEL SPROUTS! I tried to calm myself down. After all, I was now a grown woman and could just refuse to eat them. Seconds later and probably sub-consciously, I spied the nearest trash can just in case.
The gang at Mission Bay |
Nervously fingering the heavy napkin I held in my lap, I wondered just how many of those dirt-tasting little green sprouts I could fit into there without being seen. As if the words "I told you so!" could be heard on the Mother is Right network, the waitress set down an aromatic plate full of these teeny-weenie Brussel Sprouts swimming in a sauce that I was sure I could lick right off the plate and call it a day! And to everyone's delight, we polished off the now-redeemed little vegetable and even spent a good deal of time trying figure out the recipe. So, the next time I have one of you over for dinner, watch out... and have a little faith!
Enjoying Firefly restaurant in Mission Bay |
May my sweet mother bless us with many more of these days in her company. As we look forward to the next bucket list item, I am reminded of just how important people are in our lives. As you finish this story, take a few minutes to think of someone special to you. If they were dying, what memories would you want to create? What would you want to tell them?
Then start doing it now, not later... and not never. Today is here.
All my love and until the next time,
Sarah