Growing up, my mom and I lived in Florida while the rest of our family lived in Michigan. I was lucky enough to spend every summer with them. They would fly me up the day after school let out and I would go back with an extra suitcase of school clothes, supplies etc the day before school started. I remember those summers so fondly, getting to spend that time with them and the rest of my family. The summer I turned 12, I learned something that would shape my future relationship and marriage. 
My grandmother was English, which meant we would have tea daily during my visits. She had the most beautiful collection of tea cups, all English by the way, that we could choose from to have tea.  I always felt fancy getting to have tea with my Grandma. It's a tradition that lives on in our family, most of us having tea cup collections of our own.  There will never be a time when I pick up my own tea cups to have tea, that I won't remember being loved by her.  
One day I picked a tea cup, a bone white cup and saucer, with a single red blooming rose. My grandma gently took the cup from me and told me that we couldn't use that cup. She explained to me that one night, when my mom was about the same age as I was, my grandparents got into a fight. I don't know what the fight was about, but the fight isn't the important part of the story. My grandmother was upset and took her tea cup to the kitchen, throwing it in the sink. As you can imagine, an English tea cup is fragile and it shattered. As she showed me the inside of the cup, I could see the cracks in the cup, yellow from age. My Grandpa felt terrible about the fight, so he stayed up all night gluing the broken cup back together.  To me, this cup shows the immense love between them. Iin this one cup, I see a marriage with ups and downs, but one full of love and devotion. 
At 12 years old, I looked at my grandparents a little different after that. I watched the love they had for each other a little closer. As an adult, I understand a little more. Little looks between them, the way she would light up when he came in a room, how she never had to put gas in her own car, that he always gave her the filet of his porterhouse steak, and the kindness between them.  They showed me what real love is, how it should be treasured, protected and celebrated. 
The story of that one cup will live on in our family as a reminder of the love that my grandparents had for each other, and in turn each of us. They created a legacy with that love, a strong family that has deep roots. They are together again, and that gives me comfort and puts a little smile on my face. I hope they look at us all and are proud of what their love created. I couldn't be more blessed to have had them in my life and am so grateful for the family they gave me.

As mom aged I took care of her.  It wasn't always easy, we argued and annoyed each other.  Alzheimer's took away my mother's memory of her children, her husband, even her sisters but she was still inside there.  She still tapped her fingers and tried to sing "Hello Darlin'", her and dad's song.  
We grieved for the mother we lost long before she died.  I was beginning to know and love the person she was becoming.  The woman who would not let go of her coffee cup even when she fell asleep, her grip on it couldn't be broken.  Seeing her and Karen sing to the songs she taught us when we were young.  The person who would peek at me while she pretended to be asleep.  The best was how much she liked to be kissed.  She would lean in to get another and whisper 'thank you'.
I lost this women recently and miss her very much, both my mother and this friend I found in her last year.

Mom was always cold. She started saying "It's a bit coolie out here."  She said it even when it was 80 degrees out.  It annoyed me to no end.  I rolled by eyes, I sighed.  The other day I went outside and a cool wind hit me.  I said "It's a bit coolie out here."  I rolled by eyes and sighed.  And then I smiled.  Mom is still with me.

While going through some of Mom's papers recently I found this poem.  Since she had kept it this must be what she would have like to have shared with us if only she could:

I Am With You Always!
To those I love and to those who love me,

When I am gone, release me, let me go.
I have so many things to see and do.
You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears
Be happy that we had so many years.

I gave you my love, you can only guess,
How much you gave to me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you each have shown,
But now it's time I traveled on alone.

So grieve awhile for me if grieve you must.
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It's only for awhile that we must part,
So bless the memories within your heart.

I won't be far away, for life goes on,
So if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near.
And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear all of my love around you soft and clear.

And then, when you come this way alone,
I'll greet you with a smile and "Welcome Home".

The summer when I was nine or ten Mom found me in the garage crying...she asked me what was wrong.  Through the tears I explained that I had no one to play with. I was too young to play with my older siblings and too old to play with my younger siblings.  I told her that being the MIDDLE child was not good.  Mom quietly said that she also was the middle child and she understood what I was going through.  We sat in the garage for what seemed like hours. She taught me Doris Day's song...Whatever will be will be (Que Sara Sara).  It became our song.  Whenever I was down we would sing it and the blues went away. We also would spend lots of time finding shapes in the clouds.  Mom was real good at that...yes she was a kid at heart.  I will always remember my Mother that way.  Love you Mom...I miss you!

Mom's long time suffering with Alzheimer's has finally come to an end and for that I am thankful.  Mom loved to look at the clouds to find animals and such in the various shapes.  She was always a kid at heart I think.  I pray she is smiling all the time now.  Love you Mom, Kathy

We are so sorry for your loss. I know that it has been years since we have been together to visit. She was a very special lady and will be missed dearly. Formerly Diane Zarbaugh, now Diane Lightle-Simon and family( Connie, Darlene, Debbie, Donna and myself.

Bob and Kathy,

Thinking of you and your family.  I remember meeting your mom at the roller skating rink. . . . A very kind woman!

I am very sorry for your loss.  I always loved Mrs. Mink, she was a such a great lady.  My thoughts and prayers to the family.
Tracy Wayno (Pelletier)

OBITUARY

Florence Alice Mink

23 August, 1929 – 26 March, 2016

Harry J Will Funeral Homes

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