The divine Mrs. Kimball

 ~
Mrs. Kimball


She was known to many as Mrs. Kimball.
I knew her as Mom.
My children called her Gramma. 


Today I woke up at 4:30 am, which is pretty darn close to the time Mrs. Kimball died 5 years ago to the date. So this morning I got up, got dressed, went to the gym, and listened to tango and flamenco music while I exercised. You see, I can't dance like she did.
Oh my, could she dance.


On one of her many many visits from Texas to see her Minnesota grandkids, my children (then 3, 6, and 8 years old) decided we should have a dance in our tiny living room the night she arrived. We selected a CD I had purchased in hopes of teaching myself the Lambada, and then the kids turned off the lights and insisted we place a candle on the floor. Round and round and round we danced, casting crazy shadows on the curtains (what must the nuns who lived next door have thought?! ) while Gramma dazzled us all with her latin moves.


So this one's for Mrs. Kimball, who, at 83 years of age and all of 85 pounds, still knew her children, their husbands, and her grandchildren, despite her "touch of Alzheimer's," and who still loved to dance.


. . . . .


                                   Prayer
                                   by Mary Oliver


                                  May I never not be frisky,
                                  May I never not be risque.


                                  May my ashes, when you have them, friend,
                                  and give them to the ocean,


                                 leap in the froth of the waves,
                                 still loving movement,


                                still ready, beyond all else,
                                to dance for the world.






Mrs. Kimball strolls East Beach in Galveston during the 1970s with her dear friend, Mr. Bateman.
And Galveston is where today she leaps "in the froth of the waves, still loving movement."

Comments

Barb said…
Kathleen, A lovely tribute to your Mother. I can tell from her engaging smile that she was a special lady. Luckily, you have many happy memories. I'm sure she's still dancing and dazzling.
Unknown said…
A lovely prayer and a philosophy obviously that your mother embraced to the full.
Nessa said…
Beautiful post. I love the joy in the movement.
ellen abbott said…
I always envy people who had close and loving relationships with their moms. I didn't but I do with my own daughter and son. Perhaps it was the lack of one for me that made me determined to have one with my own kids.
Uncle KT said…
I read this quote today and thought of you immediately.

"A man sees in the world what he carries in his heart." ~Johann Von Goethe

You always highlight the wonder and light in the world and in your life--and find humor even in the not so wonderful parts--That might be the best tribute you give to your mother's spirit every day, the joy that you share with others around you.
Finding Pam said…
What a beautiful and delightful mother you had. You were most blessed to have her.
Hilary said…
An absolutely beautiful tribute to your mother - this dear Mrs. Kimball. You have shared her memory in such away that motion and dance surrounds here. What could be a finer gift than that.
Erin Davis said…
Wonderful tribute, wonderful pictures.
Janie said…
What a wonderful tribute of your mother, and great memories for her grandchildren. A woman who loved dance and music has to be someone who embraced life fully.
Unknown said…
Beautiful tribute to your lovely mother Kathleen, with the perfect poem.
Sueann said…
Thank you for sharing your mom with me. What a wonderful tribute!
Congrats on your POTW award
Hugs
SueAnn
Unknown said…
Congrats on POTW Kathleen!!
Sandi McBride said…
Beautiful. A tribute to greatness. COngrats on POTW
Sandi
Moannie said…
Lovely, lovey tribute to your mama.

Congratulations on your POTW mention.
Cricket said…
A touching tribute. Even some of us who do not dance well hope to leap in the froth of the waves.

Congratulations on your potw.
Suldog said…
Wow. Very nicely done. Great job of a tribute.

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