A Glance Over the Shoulder

Last week I received a letter from Mom's friend, Marlene Coglianese. In the envelope was a picture from Mom's 50-year class reunion in 2003. I remember the time surrounding the reunion. Mom almost didn't go. She valued her time off from work, and the drive was over an hour one way. But she went, and I remember how pleased she was that she did. She had a wonderful time reconnecting with friends.

I took the picture to Mom last weekend. When I showed it to her, I asked if she knew the names of the friends at her side. She pointed to the one on the left and said, "That's Marlene." I asked her about the one to her right, and she hesitated. I squinted to see the name tag and said, "That's Shirley." To which she replied, "Shirley Becker."

At a time when much has been lost in the cognition realm, Mom's recognition of her high school friends was a source of joy. Thank you, Marlene, for sending the lovely picture of our mother with her friends.

I thought you might enjoy seeing a few more pictures from years past. Mom is still everything she always was in spirit and soul. It amazes me every day how the Rose Mary of yesterday shines through her current limitations.

This picture was taken during the Darrow Family Reunion in 1994, I believe on Union Street in Traverse during the Cherry Festival Grand Royale Parade. Left to right: Paul, Mom, Corey, Dad, Jaime, Suzy.

Another 1994 Darrow Reunion photo. Step back Rachael Ray. Rosie has a spatula and she knows how to use it.
This picture is somewhat of a mystery to us. Dad won several trips during his tenure at Sentry Insurance - Jamaica, Spain, and Venezuela. We didn't know this photo existed until Dad passed away. It was in a folder in his desk. Even Mom didn't know when it was taken. But it's maybe the best picture the two of them ever had taken together.

Mom mimicking Lady Liberty in Las Vegas at the 2003 Darrow Family Reunion.

Mom's 71st birthday party at Suzy's house, 2006.

The Rose Mary in these pictures is still with us. She is Rosie in her humor, her sensitivity, and her uncanny ability to find the most provocative word for the moment. In spite of the difficulty of the past nearly two years, she is undeniably herself. There's only one Rosie.