Mom's 'Labor' of love

Though this weekend has always brought bittersweet feelings for me, it surely has been one of Mom's favorite weekends through the years.

For me, Labor Day weekend brought an end to summer, school back in session, baseball season nearing it's final out, and wearing winter clothes again...though I adore the Jerry Lewis Telethon and would stay up all night long to watch the entire show (still do!).

Mom loved the planes. Since she was a small girl and her Dad took her to the air races at Hopkins Airport, she's loved the planes. She wanted to parachute from a plane and be a pilot. I'm sure up in Heaven, she's tried both!

Having her baby brother as a big wig in the Air Force brought her great joy as well bringing her love of airplanes and her country together in perfect harmony.

So come Labor Day Weekend, Mom was in her glory. If the Indians were in town, we'd be at the games and watch the planes buzzing. What a hoot watching the ballplayers eye the planes above rather than the balls flying around or get spooked and caught off guard when a surprise attack forced miscues on the field or in the batter's box.

With my job downtown, we've been very fortunate to be able to have the best seats in the house to watch the air show year after year.

We never missed a show.

Until this year, as a team. The dynamic duo which we were. I know Mom was watching from above. And I was fortunate to have to work Labor Day and then zoom up to the roof to join my family to watch the festivities!

It's amazing sometimes what I remember and what I don't. I remember exactly what Mom and I were doing last Labor Day. I won't lie. It was a hard one. Mom had dialysis but we still made the Indians' Game. We also did not miss the Air Show.

This weekend was especially bittersweet for all the same reasons and one bigger looming reason. I never dwell on the past. I never sit around moping about Mom. I am so proud that I have continued living, I've not skipped a beat, and carried on just as Mom would have wanted me. I inherited Mom's zest for life. She loved life and lived it 'til her very last breath. But I won't lie. When I do something for the first time without Mom, it's sad and makes my insides hurt like you would not believe.

And having people tell to move on, not remember, or other ridiculous advice I continuously get day after day just makes me outright angry.

This Labor Day I was fortunate to spend a lot of the weekend with my family, which was very nice.

I also attended the Train Concert, which would have been much better if my best friend would have been in town from FLA...but he was not. I could not pass up the chance to see one of my favorite groups, and they did not disappoint. It's amazing what a few cocktails can get you through time and time again!

Overall, an ok weekend. I'm sensing the next few months will be more difficult than the summer has been in light of the upcoming anniversary. But, I will press on and live the way Mom lived, loved, and do what she would have wanted me to do to be happy!