Aunt, KC’s wife, Miss Willie Mae, sister, friend, grand moma,  are all monikers for my Mommy.  I’m adding diva to the list.  She would definitely disagree.  Diva is not even a word that she uses but she is known as much for her style (especially her hats) as she is for her spirit. 

Mommy is a quintessential southern lady.  She loves her family and the Lord, is a fantastic cook, looks nice always (even when gardening,) has a sharp tongue, but also huge warm heart.  I often joke that she could blackmail half of the county because she’s a confidant to so many.   She indulges me with her wisdom and others recognize this quality in her.  Mommy is a great listener and frowns upon gossip. 

She set the bar high on behavior, manners and grades and expected her five children to exceed it.  Along the way I didn’t realize that she was also giving me lessons in style by example.  Nothing ever seems out of place at my childhood home.  Her flower beds are pristine and she grows fruits and vegetables. She has managed to master a combination of eye catching and understated with her decor.   Her style of dress is the same, except some of her hats are in indescribable shapes.  She has all the fashion staples: black pants, skirts and dresses, tailored shirts, and trench coats.  Mommy loves perfume and just about any scent smells good on her.  She never leaves home without perfume, powder on her face and a necklace.  Even if she forgets earrings she never forgets to wear a necklace and she has a million of them. Her skin remains flawless, even now pass her 70^th birthday.  While I obsess over eye creams and beauty products, a Dove beauty bar and Ambi keeps her glowing.   

It’s cool now to recognize my Mom’s influence and for others to see it too. Growing up, I always heard “you look just like your Daddy,” and it’s true.  I’m also tall like he was, whereas my mother is short.  People still come up to me and say “You must be KC’s daughter” regularly.  It even happened in New York City once.   When I’m at her house I often put on my makeup as she’s applying hers.  I stand behind her and am able to see my face fully in the mirror. My look of full curly hair, sheaths, V-necks, A-line and empire waist dresses is all a take on Mommy’s classic style.  I wish I could wear white pants and they looked they way they do on her. I have the love of earrings although she describes mine as”bracelets in the ear.”  And I’m still working on wearing necklaces,   something she advises I should do almost every time I see her. Last summer I was even growing basil in my condo window, blanching, storing and cooking with it.  Even, Mommy was baffled.  My response was you raised me. She preserves peaches and pears from the trees at our house every year.       

While visiting one of my uncle’s friends she commented that every time I come over I’m wearing a beautiful outfit.  Before I could thank her my Uncle Burley said, “Well that’s to be expected from Willie Mae’s daughter.” I said thanks and most definitely! Hopefully I am exuding her inner beauty as well.

Happy Mother’s Day and Air Kisses,

Professor Diva Mac