5.28.2013

A Snaphot (or 4) in Time

My mom, at almost 93, doesn't need anything.  Except consumables like Puffs and watermelon-flavored gum.

For Mother's Day, she wanted a day out shopping.  Can you imagine a 93-year old hitting the mall?  She wanted some lightweight sweaters.  And a suit.

"A suit?" I asked her.  "When do you wear a suit?"

"I never know when I'm going to go someplace nice," she replied.  Olive Garden and church are the fanciest places Mom visits these days.   Maybe she was longing for an invitation to a corporate board meeting.  Or the theater.  To which I don't think I'd wear a suit.  But, I'm not Mom.

"It's always nice to have a suit," she stressed.

So, off we went to the mall.  She scooted around Dillards on her walker, slowly fingering her way through the sales racks.  I occasionally lost sight of her because she's a stooped over five-three high, tiny little thing.  When she leaned over to inspect a garment, she briefly disappeared.

She tried on several cotton button-downs, which she favors, and some sweaters, which weren't long enough and didn't have pockets.  After an hour, she decided there was nothing she really wanted at Dillards, and we meandered back to the car to head to Macy's.

At Macy's she found two perfect sweaters, a long-sleeved shirt, and a pair of cotton Capri's.  She was pooped, but happy.  The suit was forgotten.  

We lunched at TooJays, which has yummy food and even better desserts.  Mom got split pea soup, and I ordered a salad.  She can't talk when she eats, because she has choking issues, so it was quiet while we ate.  I watched her sip her green tea and nibble on her crackers and thought about the fact that this might be the last time we have a girlie afternoon together.  At 93...you're on borrowed time.

On the way out of the restaurant, I spotted one of those photo booths where you get four little pictures for a quarter.  Only now it's four 2x3s and 16 tiny copies of the 2x3s for five bucks.  I suggested to Mom we hop in the booth and get some snapshots to commemorate the day.

She laughed and shook her head, this crazy daughter, but indulged me.  I helped her into the booth, then secured and hid her purse on her walker, which had to sit outside the booth.  She was nervous about having her purse two feet away.

The photo booth was more confusing than they use to be.  I had to choose a theme, a style, a color, type in my Zodiac sign, my nickname, and other hoo-ha.  I punched buttons until the automated voice started the countdown.  It was clearly off our pose because the first picture looked like this.


I then suggested to Mom we look silly.  This is her silly face.


It's very similar to her regular face.

I don't know what the heck I'm looking at.

I got the giggles while Mom held her pose.


She is one steady cookie.  And she clearly found the camera before I did. 


I laugh every time I look at these pictures.  The photo booth keyboard was as complicated as a jet liner panel.  I didn't know what we'd end up with, but I wanted whatever came out.

With a smile, Mom looked over the pictures and then said, "Is my purse still out there?"




26 comments:

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

My mom only lived to be 83 so I think you are very blessed to still have yours at 93. What a blessing to have a day out like that.

Cathy said...

Sounds like a perfectly wonderful day with your mom. I LOVE the pictures!

Pam Williams said...

Laughed right out loud at this, Mare! Thanks so much for sharing your joy-filled day with us.
Blessings!
Pam at 2 Encourage

Barbara In Caneyhead said...

Great spontaneous idea you had! Mama is a beautiful 93!

Christine said...

You will treasure those photos forever. But by the sounds (and looks) of your mom, the two of you have probably had lots of fun times over the years.

Marie said...

This is Awesome and beautiful!!!
I get the giggles too. :) My grandma is 83 and we laugh and laugh together. :)
The two of you scream joy and happiness. :)

Karen Jones Gowen said...

How glad I am to have stopped by today to read your post. I feel all warm and giggly inside, hearing about your day with your mom and best of all-- the pictures!! My mom passed away at 93 and what I wouldn't give for one more day like this with her.

Mari said...

I love that! Reading this made my night. The pictures turned out cute and your Mom looks much younger than 93.

kim said...

aww, that is so sweet! how wonderful that your mom can still get around well enough to have afternoons like that with you! and she does not look 93! cute pictures!

Kenya G. Johnson said...

This has got to be my favorite post out of all that you have written. I love her steady pose, it made me giggle out loud too. So sweet Mare. I'm glad you had a nice outing with your mom.

Retired Knitter said...

My mom isn't doing as well at 87 as your mom is at 93. What lovely pictures. You will treasure them forever!

Michael Ann said...

This post absolutely MADE MY DAY! Love the photos!! :-)

Paula said...

What I wouldn't give to spend another afternoon with my mom! I miss her so. Thank you for sharing this story. Your mom is beautiful

Karen Lange said...

Oh, what a wonderful experience! So glad you shared your adventure. I am so happy that you are blessed to have your Mom around still. Be sure and tell her she doesn't look 93. Looks like you inherited some good genes! :)

Elizabeth said...

Precious!
I haven't been in one of those booths since junior high and think I still have those pics of my friend Donna and I (black and white of course).
So glad you thought to do this with your Mama.

Rita said...

What a lovely day with mom! And a good shopping day, too. You guys look so happy. You'll never for get your photo booth day!! ;)

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

Your mum looks so happy, it is good that you still have her not that I don't have mine but my mum is only 73 so of course I stll have her. My nan will be 92 tomorrow

Dana said...

Your pictures made me smile. It sounds like you had a wonderful day with her. You both look so happy. ☺

Dana said...

Your pictures made me smile. It sounds like you had a wonderful day with her. You both look so happy. ☺

Joyce said...

I love this! Makes me think I need to find a photo booth next time I'm with my mom : )

Unknown said...

Oh! I just love those photos. You will cherish them forever, I'm sure.

Jerralea said...

Oh, I chuckled out loud as I read this! Especially when your mom's silly face is the same as her other poses.

What a good idea to commemorate the day, although I'm sure you'll always remember it.

Tina said...

Oh, I love this. My mom is only 71, but she's in the early stages of Alzheimer's and I cherish each lucid moment she has. My Grandma Vivian lived until a week before she turned 98 and though she had severe dementia at the end, always wanted to call her broker. Even more important than a purse...sigh. Thanks for sharing such intimate moments with us.
Tina @ Life is Good

Anonymous said...

Wow, those photos are awesome. Your Mom looks fabulous. At least you know you have good genes!

Look forward to reading more of your blog!

renae said...

I love the photobooth and the pics of seeing your fun and good sport MOM. You made me chuckle.

Emmy said...

Love love this! So fun that you took those pictures and yes those machines have way too many extras now.