Nov
10
Things I loved, things I miss, memories of Dolores…
In the several months since Dolores’ passing, I have thought about her often. In no particular order, here are some of the thoughts and memories I have of her that you may not know.
She loved getting flowers, but was not crazy about roses.
She was a little on edge whenever she saw large groups of birds because of the Alfred Hitchcock movie, “The Birds.”
Whether I was with her or not, Dolores would blow a kiss every time she would drive by the back of Atlanta Rocks! on I-75!
Her generosity. A co-worker of hers told me a story when she came to visit Dolores in the hospital about Dolores. A number of years ago, this woman had a sick child, but was not eligible for any paid time off. Dolores arranged with the hospital to give this woman a week of her accrued time off, so she would be able to care for her sick child, but still be paid. Dolores knew how tough it was to be a single mom.
She loved cooking and I loved the fabulous meals she made for me. She enjoyed reading cooking magazines (I got her a subscription to Gourmet Magazine) and loved using her iPhone recipe apps to plan meals for us.
Reading the Sunday paper together. (I haven’t read it since…)
Her love of sports (Braves, Falcons, Hawks, UGA, Georgia Tech). She would actually listen or watch them on TV on her own. She also loved the Green Bay Packers (because of their outdoor stadium and hardy fans).
Watching sports at a sports bar and sharing a pitcher of beer with her. She would watch on and off while working on the crossword puzzle.
She loved crossword puzzles.
Going to Home Depot on the weekend while we were renovating her house and spending time talking with our buddy Kenny.
Working on renovation together. She would hold, clean, paint, and mix.
Her love of shoes, and during the renovation of her closet, I built her shelves for her shoes. Previously, they were scattered in the closet, guest closet, and under her bed.
Her love of travel and experiencing new things.
She was always cold except in Japan when it felt like it was 110 degrees.
Her competitiveness in playing Scrabble with her daughter Mallory through an iPhone app.
Her love of music.
The way she would dance and hold her hands up.
Her intelligence.
Her humor.
Her beauty.
Her smile.
Her style. I would do the construction and she would figure out the paint color, wall treatments, and other interior decoration.
Her clothing.
She would talk and flirt with everyone.
Watching Dexter, Californication, and House Hunters International with her. She even loved home fix-it shows.
Sharing a bottle of red wine with her.
Her love (sometimes tough love) of her kids and the hard work and sacrifice she endured to raise them as best she could. She was cleaning in the kitchen when her son told her he was dropping out of Georgia Tech. Fortunately he ducked when she swung the broom at his head. I found this out when I noticed the large dent in the side of her refrigerator…
Her love and support of my kids. Her attending and cheering at Wesley’s baseball/football/basketball games and Sydney’s soccer/volleyball/basketball games.
Her acceptance and support of my very unusual “career.”
Our occasionally sharing a cigar together.
Her falling asleep while watching TV on Saturday or Sunday.
Our weekend in the Elvis room on the lake.
She loved animals, especially dogs.
Our daily talks, emails, and texts.
There is a big hole in my heart without her…
