Big Leather Couch

Joan grew up in the Bronx, NY and met young Vince when she was a teen. They eventually married and Vince went off to fight in Korea. Upon his return, they had a son (ME!). Then another son, Richard was born 2.5 years later and 2.5 years after that, my sister Lynn was born.
We grew up on Long Island (satellite view of our actual home on LI, from Google Maps) in NY and Joan was a stay-at-home mom for most of our lives. As we got older she began to work both in and out of the house, but she was always there for us. Home-cooked meals every evening...our favorites on our birthdays...our chauffeur, our tutor, our disciplinarian...
So many times we thought that Dad had made the punishment, but it was Mom - behind the scenes - who pulled those strings!
Vince and Joan got to retire early and eventually relocated to Florida. Then they did something different...they began to travel all over the country...BY CAR! I remember the first time they were going to travel and my brother, sister and I were sure one of them would be found buried along the side of the road! It never happened.
Florida to Seattle; Los Angeles; Colorado; Nevada; Maine; New Hampshire; Canada, and so many more places. Their trips in the summer always end up at one of the kids homes on LI, in NJ or in TX. Family has always been a huge part of our lives.
Then a few years ago the call came that Mom had been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. We all held our breath. At the time I was working for a man who was the founder of the Cure For Lymphoma Foundation and he was helpful to me and to them. Getting them in touch with a specialist at Sloan Kettering here in NY. Eventually, it was decided that Mom would take her therapy in Florida to be able to stay at home.
Months of therapy followed. Mom shaved her head and wore scarves...she never lost her sense of humor with others. This actually happened shortly after both of dad's knees were replaced and, even though he was still recovering, he stood strong.
Finally the day came and the report was issued...the cancer was gone! A collective sigh of relief was heard from Florida to NJ to NY to TX. To this day... Mom is still cancer free!
Three years ago the entire clan (all 13 of us) went on a cruise. Mom had some money from when her Mother passed away and wanted to get the whole family away before the grandkids got too much older. We laughed we joked we had the best time. My son Matt still says it is the best vacation he has ever been on.
Mom and Dad still get in the car and travel...they are still so young in spirit...

The story of Mother's Day can be found here.

Mother's Day Poem can be found here.