Is there a person or place that defines who you are? Someone or someplace that lies at your core and seems to color much of what you do, think, and feel? For me those are family and Savannah, Georgia, my hometown.
I come from a close-knit family that loves to laugh, eat, socialize, and travel, all the while driving each other a little bit crazy! But the little bit of crazy is what makes my life so fun! My parents, Ray and Carleen, instilled important values in my older brother, Michael, and me, values like honesty, kindness, hard work, thoughtfulness, generosity, and bravery. My parents also taught me to appreciate beautiful things, enjoy life, and do what I love.
My mom, Carleen, is 87 years old (but usually acts about 37!) and lives with me at The Inn at Court Square, where she has her own room across from the dining room—in other words, right in the thick of things, which is exactly where she likes to be! Born and raised in Georgia, mom was a Fine Arts major at the University of Georgia, and that love of performance emerges all the time. Mom loves to socialize, cheer for the UGA football, watch me play tennis (more on that later), sip her cocktails, ride around the Downtown Mall on her motorized scooter, and eat out. In general, she likes to see and be seen!
If you want a table in a totally booked-up restaurant, a seat in a full movie theater, or a drink in a busy bar, travel with my mom because somehow she always gets special treatment. One evening, six of us went to one of mom’s favorite Charlottesville restaurants, only to find that there was a two hour wait for a table. The hostess was about to add our names to the long list of hopeful diners when the owner walked up and said “Wait a minute.” Within five minutes, she was leading us to a table and chatting away with mom, who was already making eye-contact with the bartender. My friends were agog and couldn’t stop talking about dining with the “Queen.” Mom just laughs and talks to all the people in the restaurant like they are old friends.
No one can quite figure out how she charms people the way she does, but wherever we go, people remember mom and treat her like royalty. Of course, the downside for me is that mom expects to be treated the same way at the Inn…more on that and that “little bit of crazy” I was talking about later…
Love reading uour blogs Candace❤️And your Mom is a wonderful lady. The apple doesn fall far from the tree!
Jan,
Thank you so much! Thank you for reading my blogs! There will definitely be more about her!
We all miss your mom and dad here at the Savann Beach & Racquet Club….they were my next door neighbors and i fondly remember your dad going out to get the car Out of the parking lot so Carlene and he could go out at night. He was such a gent and she is still a magnificent lady. I wish we could have heard her play the piano they have while she was still here.
Thank you for sharing, and give her a big hug from me!
Marianne,
Thank you for being such a great neighbor to my parents! I know Mom really misses Tybee, but we try to come back as much as possible! Dad was an amazing man and I am so proud and lucky to have such great parents! Did you read the blog about Dad? Thank you for staying in touch, I will let Mom know you are sending her a big hug. More blogs about Mom to come!