WOW Gal Angel
Lois Olive (Hall) Cunningham
It seems only fitting to write this tribute for my mom at this time of year because Christmas was always so very special at our home growing up. Mom of course made it so.
Even though she had a lonely childhood, with 17 years difference between her and her sister as well as losing her own mother at four years old (Doctor’s error) Mom grew into a strong, God fearing woman.
Mom was always the life of the party and the interesting thing is that she never drank alcohol, she didn’t need it.
She and Dad did a lot of dancing in those early days before the three of us came along. It was always lovely to see them on the dance floor at weddings and anniversaries. I can remember as a child just watching them in awe. How beautiful it was to watch them
glide across the dance floor without missing a step.
This vision in my head still warms my heart.
My Mom was a stay at home mom. She just loved keeping house, cooking and sewing making clothes for us, she kept herself very busy.
We lived in the country. We, as kids, felt stranded but my parents thought it was paradise. Mom kept the gardens looking great as long as she could. Our neighbors had a fruit farm and mom loved to help them. She tied and cut grapes, picked and sorted pears, plum, apricots and worked in the berry patch. She loved to be outside doing that work.
Everyday you could hear her walking into the orchards singing “Everything is beautiful” by Ray Stevens. She had an arrangement with the neighboring farmer that he would pay her after the grapes were harvested which was the fall. She would spend her entire earnings on her family for Christmas. So you can imagine how full the Christmas tree was. Mom decorated the whole house from top to bottom and did tons of baking. She and Santa made Christmas very special for us.
As I reflect back to those days, as an adult, it makes me wonder what Christmas was like sometimes for my mom. I know some were very sparce, some were probably sad for her, but she wasn’t one to complain. She would not want that for her girls.
My Mother (born 1929 left us in 2017) will always be remembered for her generosity, her happy nature and vivacious laugh. I love you Mom. Thanks for the wonderful memories, as seen through my eyes.
Contribute by Daughter & WOW Gal AnnaMarie Warriner