Saturday, June 10, 2023
My fondest memory of Shirley was at Cliff & Melissa's wedding. It was the day after the hurricane and stifling hot, particularly in the reception room. Shirley asked me to walk with her back to her room so she could change into something cooler. On the way we held each others arm and talked as only mothers can about how happy we were that Cliff and Melissa found each other and that the wedding was only postponed a day. When we arrived at her room Shirley sat on the bed, put both her feet up, gave me a little grin and in a very quiet voice asked me to undo her shoes because she couldn't reach. With all the seriousness I could muster I undid her shoe with a straight face and told her in a very quiet voice that was why I stopped wearing do ups and only wore slip ons. We both burst out laughing and together we slipped off the bed onto the floor. There we were a couple of little old ladies sitting on the floor giggling like a couple of little school girls. It was a great moment and one I think of often. Shirley was a great gracious lady and I will continue to think of her and our moment together when we bonded as only mothers can, often.
