All in all, that party we had for our mother went off well.
It was a beautiful day - nice enough to put tables and chairs out on the porch, nice enough that the various children could run around on the lawn.
There were any number of touching moments - like when Jack got out of his car with a dozen baguettes, and armful of flowers, and two bags of Doritos. Jack's an old friend of my brother's, an old friend of everyone's, and he knew her back when she had a serious Dorito addiction - like a bag a night. She'd make one of us get in the car with her, and she'd drive to the deli, where she'd wait at the curb while we'd run in with $2.39 for her chip fix.
Lewis brought a shovel, because I told him to, and dug up bits of her plants to take to his new garden.
People came that we didn't expect, some that we didn't invite. There were people I went to high school with, ladies from the League of Women Voters, neighbors near and far. There were women from Moky's class in college, and relatives of all of Moky's children-in-law (including some Canadians). There were dogs and babies and old people with canes.
And we didn't run out of wine.
If she taught us anything, she taught us how to throw a good party.
you had me at doritos
ReplyDeleteglad it went well. sounds like a true celebration of life
Me too. Oh mannnn. This is a good post, Maggie. wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
FA
It sounds like it was lovely. Just right.
ReplyDeleteit sounds really perfect! i think she'd be pleased.
ReplyDeletewhat kind of doritos?
Wow, that sounds fantastic. I echo the others - a true celebration, lovely, and wonderful post.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like just the thing. Truly perfect.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way to celebrate your mom's life and memory.
ReplyDeleteYup, dogs, kids on the lawn & old people with canes. That would do for me, I know.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good thing to know, how to throw a party. I just knew you'd be needing shovels for her perennials.
First time i've ever been sniffly over Doritoes. What a great thing to do.
ReplyDeleteIt does sound like it was a good send off. I am glad the weather cooperated and so many people made it a full good bye party.
ReplyDeleteYou had me at Doritos!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds perfect. Doritos all around.
ReplyDeleteYour title says it all. She did, indeed...among other fine things.
ReplyDeleteWe already know she taught you a lot more than how to throw a party. I'm glad you had a good party. And I suspect I won't be the only one thinking about your mother the next time I walk past a bag of Doritos.
ReplyDeletesounds as good as it could be :-)
ReplyDeleteit sounds perfect
ReplyDeleteLovely--a beautiful sendoff.
ReplyDeleteDoritos...I love it!
ReplyDeleteWhen we had my Dad's memorial gathering, we had a little shrine for him...a bottle of vodka, surrounded with treats from the Hostess bakery outlet. Ding Dongs and Twinkies and who knows what else.
It sounds like you gave her a fitting and loving sendoff.
I wish I had more nights like that when all the stars align, so to speak, and everyone has a great time
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a great party.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds perfect.
ReplyDeleteThat is precisely what I want when I die. Except substitute Funyons for Doritos.
ReplyDeleteWhat? Canadians were invited? Hey, I'd have been there.
ReplyDeleteAnd this is not the same Jack that goes missing in the next post, right? I didn't think so.
She taught a lot of people a lot of things. I wish there were a Moky handbook. I need to know the things she knew - gardening, sewing, music, ballet, how to create the perfect Xmas tree, how to recycle odds and ends. I can find these things out on my own but I'd rather have advice from her. And I'd love to read her general opinions on politics, architecture, etc...
ReplyDeleteShe's so exceptional and we need more of her somehow. A Moky handbook for friends, children, grandchildren. Sigh, but who has the time to write it?
Sounds like a lovely way to celebrate her life.
ReplyDelete