I entitled this blog post Mutti because that's who I want to talk about. Whenever I write a blog post I never know which way it's going to go because it is from my heart...so here we go..
The Mutti that I am going to write about is the woman who lived life to the fullest not the woman dying from Alzheimer's disease in our front room in her hospital bed. She is one of the best people I know and I have been blessed to have her in my life.
My mother in law Nancy, whom I affectionately call Mutti (mommy in German) is in her final stages of Alzheimer's. Still she has a spirit about her and always has since I have known her over 13 years ago.
My first date with Kathy we went to a play. Mutti and Kathy's sister Barb met us there. I don't remember what play or where. Years later Kathy told me that her Mom asked her if I ever talked. Boy have I since made up for that.
Playing board games is a huge part of the Bundy family. Mutti was the best board player ever. She would make a move that would crush you all the while she would have her sheepish grin on her face and a twinkle in her eye as she did it. One of the many things that I've loved about her.
Christmas is a big holiday for the Bundy's. They have Advent readings from the book The Christmas Carol. This ritual takes place the first Sunday after Thanksgiving and continues through Christmas Eve.
They have a big green wreath that has 5 candles within the center of the wreath. They light the center candle then each candle as they read the staves from the book. The snacks include tapioca pudding, chex mix and popcorn. Mutti would fill her bowl with tapioca and scrape the bottom for every single bit of pudding. I remember always thinking, I wonder if any of the dish remnants would be scooped up by her spoon.
If a baby ever crossed Muttis path you could count on her heading over to the mother and begin a conversation with her and before you knew it Mutti would be holding the baby and still talking with the mother. Mutti seemed to be a people magnate. She loved meeting people and talking with them. Her gentle kind face seemed to put folks at ease. It never failed if we were standing in a line she would begin a conversation with a stranger who became a friend.
When we would go to her house in Louisburg for birthday parties or whatever the occasion it would become such a special place and time for each of us. The spiritual feeling that I always got from being there was fantastic. These memories will always be with me.
Muttis laughter, joy for life, humor and love will always be in my heart and mind. I have been blessed to have her in my life.
These are my thoughts and feelings from Jillsville.
