Sibling Assignment #198: Autumn Rituals With Mom

I gave the following assignment:  " The one year anniversary of Mom's Celebration of Life

happened recently. Reflect on life with our mother." You can find sister Carol's post is here
and brother Bill's post here

Whether it was when I lived in Kettle Falls or when I moved next door, we had a autumn ritutual
every year at Mom's house. It was that week-end when we "put her gardens to bed" for winter.
We tried to schedule it when Carol and Paul could join us if possible. I always enjoyed this week-end.
It was in October when I was ready to take a week-end off from schoolwork. It was usually sunny, but cold.

Mom always had her list of tasks that needed done. We all usually knew what to do. We empties plant pots, deadheaded spent flowers, cut back perennials, added to the compost bin, and raked leaves. I loved the smells of the rich dirt in her raised beds, wet leaves in a pile, and the remaining aroma of lavendar and dill.

When Mom was able she was right there with us helping with the tasks. Later, she used her ATV walker and kept up with us. Later she stayed in the house, but watched from the kitchen window. All of us worked hard, but it was a labor of love. We all felt a sense of accomplishment when the day was over. With sore muscles, tired feet, and dirty hands we sat on the deck and looked over what we completed.

The best part of the day was the meal Mom prepared at the end of the day. Wine was uncorked, cold beer was opened, and Mom usually had a homey comfort meal that satisfied our hunger. Mom was such a good cook and on those days I think we were also treated to apple crisp or some other fall dessert favorite.

We live next door now and do the same rituals, but it is not the same. We rest more, we don't have Mom montioring our progress, and we don't have as delicious of a meal at the end of the day. This is one of the many reasons I miss Mom in the season of autumn.