Dolores’s Story

Site created on October 20, 2015

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Journal entry by Lisa Pleggenkuhle Grummer

A year ago I was with my Mom spending her last four alert days on Earth.  It has been a difficult year of "firsts" without her.  This time of year is particularly hard for anyone missing a loved one.  Every day I am reminded of Mom several times by seeing something Mom gave me, thinking about something she taught me, something she said, or something she did for me.  Most days it is like, "Wow...Mom really influenced me in a lot of ways!"  It makes me happy that I was able to tell my Mom "Thank you for everything you did for me...you are a great Mom...everything I do is influenced by you."   This is a story of love and thoughtfulness shown by my Mom...via Tupperware...

All of my years at home involved doing chores after school and helping in the field in the spring through the fall.  I remember one time falling asleep on a pile of rocks and posing on a mountain of dirt near our harvestors.  It seemed like it was always the hottest days of the summer when Dad would get out the John Deere 3010 and say, "Lisa, I need you to help me scout a couple of hills for rocks for about twenty minutes."  I learned pretty quickly that Dad's idea of twenty minutes translated easily to two hours or more.  Mom knew Dad's knack for telling time was always a bit off too.  On hot days, or not so hot days, Mom would send ice water and glasses with us for a water break.  Many times, she would go with us and bring the water along.  Other times, we would just hop on the tractor and go and if we were gone very long, Mom would come and find us and greet us with that familiar yellow Tupperware pitcher with fresh well water and ice.  Mom would either drive out to us in the middle of the field or wait for us in the field lane if we weren't too far away.  I remember feeling relieved when I saw Mom bring out the water. The ice melted quickly and sweat formed on the outside of the pitcher and our dirty hands made mud on its surface.  We kept it on the platform of the tractor for the rest of our time working unless we drained it dry and sent it back with Mom.  That yellow pitcher was a welcomed sight too many times to count. 

I have a newer Tupperware pitcher, a slightly older one that I acquired at an auction, and Mom's almost-not-yellow-anymore pitcher...faded from being outside with us in the sun.  Mom always made sure we were hydrated and well taken care of.
Seeing these three Tupperware pitchers side by side by side, reminds me of the constant love and thoughtfulness shown by my Mom.  Mom told me almost exactly one year ago, "I know you'll miss me." Mom is forever in my heart, so she will always be with me. Whenever I use the faded Tupperware pitcher, her evidence of love remains... 



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