JoAnn Mize

Where do I start...I miss her. I still hear her bedroom door open. I catch myself leaving the hall light on for her at night. I still talk to her. Part of me wants this part of grief to stop (mainly because it freaks me out, lol) and part of me wants that familiarity to go on forever

Mom was one of the most humble women I've ever known. She didn't like a lot fuss and got embarrassed by what she considered undo attention. She didn't see what others saw in her. Mom thought of herself as a simple country girl, no one else did. She was smart, dependable, determined, funny and even goofy at times (believe it or not).

People would gravitate to her. She was easy to talk to. She listened, truly listened and tried to empathize with every situation. Mom was also a straight shooter, so if you went off the rails you could expect her to call you out, (especially if you were driving too fast, lol)

Her faith came first for her. Unlike many in this world she actually lived what she preached. Her example was a beacon to many that still shines through each of us.

She loved animals. They seemed to instinctively know that mom could be trusted. From dogs, cats, rabbits and birds and everything in between to opossums, ground hogs and a starling that she taught to speak (yep, the local newspaper did a 1/2 page story about it). See? even the animals knew she was something special.

Then there were her quilts...

Most of you know that mom was a master quilter. People came from far and wide to get a JoAnn Mize quilt. I think that quilting was what she missed most after it became too difficult for her to stay hunched over a quilting frame. She would often tell me about the various quilts that she made over the years. She remembered who had commissioned it, where they were lived and any special occasion for the quilt. It gave her great pleasure to know that her handiwork would live on for, in many cases, generations. Mom loved making a babies first blankie as much as she loved restoring someone's great grandmother's quilt.

Mom didn't have an easy life but it was fulfilling. She worked hard and even supported the family for several years. There were times when things were tough but I can't remember ever being hungry, dirty or cold. She never complained about the hardship because, as she often told me, she was where God wanted her to be I'm so glad God wanted her to come to California and that I was able to be with my mom again.

The first of July would have been a year that mom had lived with Bill and I. I would often say to her "hey mom! Guess what?" She would, of course, say "what?" To which I would say "I love you!" She would giggle and tell me she loved me too. I'm going to miss that.

So in closing, JoAnn Mize aka. my mom will be missed and...

Hey Mom!! Guess What?

We Love You!

Please feel free to share your own memory.