Stash Redden

It has been nearly a year and Mom would have turned 93 this week. Mom played baseball as a kid. When her brother who had polio and was on crutches hit the ball, she would run to first base for him. She spent the remainder of her life getting the rest of us wherever we needed to go. For this and countless other reasons, when it comes to getting into heaven, Mom is first ballot.

In a life of great stories this was one of her favorites. She grew up in a house with a wood burning furnace. Her grandfather would take a wheelbarrow full of firewood and throw it through an open basement window. While doing this he would give her brother a ride on the wheelbarrow. Her other brother didn't like it. So, one day as the wheelbarrow approached, firewood about to be airborne, he closes the window. Incoming! It is a great story because it says a lot about where Mom came from and how she grew up, and she never forgot that.

As a kid, Mom sang in a church choir that got mixed reviews. Once in the middle of mass the priest turned around and told the choir, “You stink." It was the first collection plate, made entirely of hush money.

Wherever Mom was, in the house or recovering elsewhere, that was home because Mom was there. "See you later alligator," she'd say. After a while crocodile I will see you again, but in the meantime, Mom is not going anywhere- As long as we're here, she’s here. She knew what it took to be a great Mom. Her best advice wasn't work hard and study, but- I want you to eat.

Mom was a bookkeeper for a waste management company- But you didn't hear it from me.

When l would see Mom in rehab or the hospital, l would have one of those bags you bring into the grocery store. When l would leave, she would always say, "Do you have your bag?'' Well Mom, I have my bag, and it is filled with everything you taught me and all the love you gave me.

Mom loved her '66 Mustang. When we were all much younger, she would say, ''I’m going to be buried in that Mustang." to which I said, "That's fine, as long as I’m not a pallbearer." (Dad loved that joke.)

Mom and Dad met working at the Garde Theater in New London, CT (like the Mustang, it’s still there.) Mom was behind the candy counter and Dad was an usher. Well, they are together again watching widescreen glory for eternity. Mom, Dad- save me an aisle seat. Oh, and- happy birthday Mom.