Dena Adams
Dear Mom,
One year ago today we lost you. For some reason that day seems long ago, but the memorable times I have with you quite often seem like yesterday. The challenging times (though remembered) are distant memories.
Three months ago we spent some time with a few of your siblings in your hometown. We shared memories and then gathered to sing a beautiful song for you in the presence of family. We honored your wishes. It was a beautiful day.
Growing up in California with you (and Darrin) for the majority of my childhood taught me many lessons. I know it was not always easy but it taught me to be the strong person I am today. It also taught me how to have fun, because we definitely had a lot of fun growing up! There was a lot of laughter and a lot of great music! We were able to have many different experiences, meet some great people, and see many different places. I will never forget the good times we all had together.
Some of my most memorable times growing up with you:
1. Always going to the beautiful California beaches and driving through the mountains and tunnels to get there. Those roads were pretty narrow and quite scary for a kid!
2. Roller Skating on Venice Beach boardwalk with all of the "interesting" people!
3. Crashing celebrity parties with your friend Ron and eating all kinds of delicious party food! The Playboy Mansion party was definitely the most memorable with that huge resort swimming pool and bikini girls everywhere. Darrin was in heaven haha!
4. Lots of visits to downtown Hollywood / L.A. for touristy stuff: Game shows, Live television tapings (Silver Spoons and Arsenio Hall), Universal Studios (with the real JAWS!), and Disneyland of course. I remember you coming home after winning on the Price is Right and you were so happy and excited! I thought you were joking at first haha.
5. Going to my first concert (KISS!) and going backstage and sitting in Gene Simmons directors chair. I think I fell asleep in my seat during the show but I remember hearing that loud music!
6. Always playing records (Loud!) wherever we lived. Also your massive vinyl record collection from working at record companies - which sadly got stolen on the U-haul truck (along with all of our baby photos....very sad day). My love and appreciation for great rock music came from you!
7. Many celebrity encounters and even some friends (Michael Jackson, Eddie Money, Burt Ward, Walter Eagan, Ricky Schroeder, just to name a few)
8. Your many delicious home cooked meals and desserts: Enchiladas (my favorite!), Chicken & noodles, Pot Roast, the BEST cinnamon rolls on the planet (Pecan rolls too!), all kinds of cookies & pies. You were a great cook Mom!
9. Although we moved many times (every year or two) you always made sure we lived in really nice newer homes in great areas. Though I was fortunate enough to attend the same high school for all four years (and I thank you for that!)
10. Driving cross country several times back and forth to Illinois (sometimes to visit Grandma and other times to move back for a little while). We saw many different great places on our road trips! These were true adventures and I always loved going back to visit Grandma and swimming in her lake!
I could keep going but you get the idea. I have lots of memories and you loved sharing stories of your fondest memories with just about anyone that you met. Everybody always knew that you ran your fingers through Rod Stewart's hair!! I will always remember those memories, Mom, and stories that you have shared.
It is a strange feeling not having you here, but it brings me comfort knowing that you are at peace on the other side. I know what that looks like for you.
Love you, Mom and I think of you often ❤️