One of my favorite photos.....

Today I was looking through some pictures that I had on my computer. I always land on the same picture and stare at it for several minutes. I study it, soak it up, smile, and then study it some more. It is my favorite picture of Mom. In fact, I think it is one of the only digital pictures I have of my Mom. I really need to scan some other ones on my computer.

I just love it. I can't put into words how much I love this photo. This photo sums up the essence of my Mom. Go ahead, click on the picture. Soak it up.

1. Always a cat on her lap. She was cold a lot and a cat always helps you stay warm.
2. Coffee and iced tea. Both contain lots of caffeine which maybe explains why she had so much energy. 
3. The stacker in the right corner. It had magazine clippings for decorating, flowers, and ideas for everything. Sometimes I was the recipient of these ideas. About every month I would receive a random box with clippings, articles and other things I'll call treasures. I sure do miss those packages.
4. Lists. She had a ton of lists for every possible thought or use. 
5. I love this room of our house. When I go home, I love to be in it and feel her presence. 

My Mom was always the one taking the pictures. Like many people, she hated the camera. I'm thankful my brother was able to snap this photo of her. Otherwise she would be ducking her head and you would never get to see her surprised expression.

She died when I was 29 and that was really hard. It was hard on our whole family. It is difficult to lose the rock of your family.

I don't exactly know why I decided to blog about this picture or my Mom tonight. I guess it was just one of those days that I caught myself studying this picture.