Today is Mother’s Day in Costa Rica.
Mother’s Day is celebrated here on August 15th as it corresponds with the Roman Catholic feast day of The Assumption of Mary.
I have some favorite pictures I want to share today and a few cherished stories about my mother.
In this picture she was “being naughty” giving a good example of her “defiant devilish look” visiting us in Costa Rica, eating what she is not allowed to eat and drinking a beer (also not allowed by her doctors.) When I told her, “I’m gonna tell your Doctor” she made this face and said, “Good! I’ll send him the picture.”
She was an elegant, polished woman of her time (born in 1913 died on Christmas Day 1999)
but she had a sense of humor and a laugh that was contagious and sometimes outrageous:)
She, many times, could not control herself in places where laughter would be seriously frowned upon,
like at funerals, museum tours, town meetings, religious services,conferences or places, where laughter had no place. She would get that devilish look in her eyes and I knew she was losing control and laughter was about to burst out of her making it impossible for me or anyone near her, to keep a straight face and before we knew it, we were leaving funerals, solemn ceremonies, graduations. religious services and museum tours, anywhere… where you could not laugh… and we were crying, tears running down our cheeks hysterically laughing and on the way out the door as quickly as possible:)
My mother hired a private photographer to take a picture of herself, me, my daughter and her son, a four generation picture to treasure forever before we left to return to Costa Rica.
He came to the house and set us up on the living room couch and something so simple turned into his nightmare and our best memories, because every time he was about to snap the shot, my mother would smirk, she would make this face like her eyes were going to pop out and my daughter & I thought, “here she goes…” and there she went in a big full guffaw simultaneously saying “Oh sorry.. not sure what got into me,” (but we knew haha) and this happened so many times, that the photographer was becoming frustrated and a little cranky. It began to seem even funnier to us to try and stay straight-faced.
I’m sure you’ve been there;)
Get back!! She’s about to blow… here she goes!!
Now both my daughter and I got up to try and compose ourselves. but there was no hope for my mother!!
The Four-Generation Picture
My grandson would laugh along with all of us, (it was impossible to not fall into this laughing spell) and well it took hours to finally get a shot where we all looked composed and serious🙂 but really, I think we all looked like posed wax dummies:) Look at those forced controlled faces!!
My mother is grinding her teeth!!
The serious look was never really part of her. She had an incredible adolescent spirit that even at 85, was very much intact and apparent. We laughed so many times, so many places, under so many circumstances, that these moments are some of the best memories I have of her today.
She’d probably kill me if she knew these pictures of her were circulating on the internet..🙄 but today, August 15th, Mother’s Day in Costa Rica, I honor her memory, her sense of humor, her generosity. her spirit and her unconditional love for her little family. Happy Mother’s Day Mom…oh how we miss doing this with you. ❤️
I hope she is aware this gene has passed all the way down… to the grandchildren…: and the great grandchildren)
Digital Rabbit Hole 
🎉 🎉 🎉
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That’s a wonderful trait to have, BTW (your mother’s laughter and humor)
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Oh yes, it truly is and she never lost her sense of humor:) Thank you for reading and commenting David 🙏
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🙏🌹🙏
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Aww so beautiful Karima ❤️
Thank you for sharing .
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Maggie, smiling, so glad you enjoyed getting to know my mother a little, through this true-life memory:)
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I did Karima ❤️
Thank you again for sharing 🙏
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Happiest of Mother’s Days to you, my cherished Sissy-Poo ((hugs)). Oodles of laughter and loads of thanks for sharing your story about your mother’s antics. OMG, she was a HOOT! Also, someone I absolutely would have invited to every ‘solemn’ event so I could be at her side (and her faithful escort upon early exit, lol). The photos are definitely a treasure and a testament to how our beloved ones who aren’t physically present are still omnipresent in the threads of our lives forevermore. By the way, IMHO you’re the best storyteller on earth AND in virtual worlds (smiles). Mistress of transcendent Mediums!! Bows to my Queen in adoration and gratitude 🙂
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Hahaha Sis.. I am at your service…You, IMHO, haha make the very best comments in the world. My mother Was a Hoot, you are totally right but of course she had he other sides a bit more stiff, but in the core she was a 14 year old girl, being a little naughty…so you can see why I can be that way too…..Now, what’s your excuse Sis? You are about as naughty as they come lol !!
“Mistress of transcendent Mediums!! Bows to my Queen in adoration and gratitude 🙂” That’s right Sissy and don’t you forget it or…...the whip muahaha
Love you Sissy. this Mother’s Day greeting will be hard to top!!!
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Howls with LOL! You are def an Apple from that Tree (smiles). Your response being inclusive of the ‘whip’ has me about doubled over in laughter, OMG… the number of times Sis Suz and I have been threatened to get our tails in order, line UP, stay quiet, don’t type, DO type, etc, etc… by the Boss (YOU) are the root of endless giggles (hahaha). Dodging that consequence is quite motivating, but I am starting to wonder… do ya even OWN A WHIP?! On second thought, don’t tell me. Howlssssssssssssss some more!!!
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Haha Sissy I Do have my whip called Dragon Whip with 6 styles for whippings and 5 style of whips so “Shape up” “Stand Here” Don’t Move” Haha Sissy I’m The Director, always have been, even before I was making videos haha…and you used to say “Sis is so bossy” but really Sis was just learning how to keep you both in line and shoot some movies together!! I’m working on an idea atm…includes Fish Sissies…soo stay tuned..,Love love love you both!!!
The Director
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A lovely tribute to your extraordinary mom! Her sense of humour is unique. It’s a great talent. Happy Mother’s Day, Karima! Incidentally, today we are celebrating the independence of our motherland.
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Thank you Kaushal for best wishes and I wish you a very happy Independence Day today too!! Yes her sense of humor was so unique and she kept it all her life. Than you again and enjoy your celebrations today 🎉
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It’s truly my pleasure, Karima! You’re more than welcome 🙏💐💖
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wonderful stories🙏🏼❤️🥰😂🤣😂😂❤️🙏🏼
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So glad you enjoyed soulkin 🙏🌹💕✨🤩♥️
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Este día, tan especial, has hecho una semblanza extraordinaria de tu mamá. Has elegido el momento perfecto para rendirle un merecido homenaje. Según lo escrito, tú debes llevarla siempre en tu corazón. Una madre muy peculiar que hizo que tu vida haya sido de momentos inolvidables. Feliz día de la madre para ti, con todo mi cariño y estima personal Karima.
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Muchas gracias Manuel por tus salutaciones y bendiciones en este día tan especial. Me madre era una mujer muy única, y muy bella de corazón y todavía retengo tantos memorias y momentos muy gratos vividos a su lado. Muy agradecida por tus palabras y deseos Manuel.♥️
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Por nada Karima.
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Aww, thank you for sharing these heartwarming stories about your mother. She was clearly a remarkable woman, and you are lucky to hold close such fond memories of her.
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Aww thank you so much Gabriela and it’s my pleasure to share these stories about her now and then. She is still very much alive in my heart and in my memory….and she had the Best sense of humor!!! A trait I always look for in my friends:)
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Aww, that’s wonderful. Thank you again for sharing these memories with everyone. P.S. My name is Joyce (although I know it has also been a while).
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Aww thanks so much Joyce and nice to see you again..yes it has been awhile. I’m thrilled you liked my Mother stories..She was quite a character all her life. Yes I realize how lucky we all are to have shared so many special times with her. I miss her and dream of her a lot. I loved your comment:)
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Thanks. ^_^
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She sounds like a lovely person and Happy Costa Rican Mother’s Day. She lives on through the memories you all have with her.
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Exactly, moments like these bring her back clearly in focus when we remember them. My daughter and I were laughing again remembering this photo shoot and it was just wonderful. Thank you so much Pooja for reading and enjoying. 🌹
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what a delightful tribute to such a special mother! I absolutely love those before photos, that serious wax work one is an anticlimax 🙂
I did hospice work both professionally and voluntarily and for one couple I was present for his death, knew them both very well and the grief his family had caused his mischievous wife. So not surprisingly at the funeral she was sat in the front pew by herself. I sat with her but as the coffin came in – he’d had both legs amputated – I fell into uncontrollable hysterical laughter imagine his 3/4 corpse sliding up and down a full size coffin … buried my head and most assumed it was inconsolable grief.
She knew my SOH and totally got it.
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Oh yes, I get that totally… that’s what would get to my mother, the grief would turn into uncontrable laughing..I totally understand. When my own father died when I was 11 the custom then in 50’s was to bring pies, cakes baked goods to offer those who came..We had pies in the fridge, the freezer and sitting out on table tops and counters..My dad was a dentist and all his patients brought some dessert to the house…when the doorbell rang (again) my mother asked me to see who it was and when I back to the kitchen holding a big pie my mother, “Oh thank God, another pie…just what we needed!” and started laughing and so did I and people to say the least were a bit shocked at us two hysterically laughing in the kitchen. Thank you so much Kate for sharing your story:)
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humour is a great leveller … that poor guy was finally out of his life of pain!
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A beautiful reflection and share Karima. Mother’s Day in Costa Rica is the same as Mother’s Day for our Heavenly Mother Mary.
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Thank you so much Aoc and yes it is why it was chosen here as the official Mother’s Day.. I am glad you enjoyed a vivid memory of her:)
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You are so welcome. Wishing you an enjoyable weekend, Karima. ❤️
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Oh and for you too:): 🤗
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Lovely post Karima. She was a fun mom. Laughing has become such a rare activity in life that the moments we did it tend to become and remain our best memories. More so if your mom is involved. 😃
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Yes to everything you say here Sundaram (happy to see you visiting)
She was a very fun mom. and in today’s world laughing is hard to find. As it is so rare now, when we do it, we remember this moment, fondly as a great memory…I totally agree with you. My Pisces Sisters (read Diz’s comments here) make me laugh..We have that chemistry and are quick to just sink into fits of laughter, which is why, it’s a fun challenge, to try and shoot them in a movie..,believe me!! So glad you read this one..I had a thought you might enjoy it:):) Come back soon my friend!! 🙏
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Lovely photos, Karima!
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Thank you Dawn:) 🌹
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Oh, I love your mother, Karima. What a wonderful tribute to her fiery, fun, vibrant spirit! She sounds like a pistol and would fit into our household perfectly! A force to be reckoned with and no doubt still busting a gut looking down on you. Fabulous pictures! xo
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Oh I’m sure you would have loved her Cindy ( really everyone did!) and she would have loved you too..your sense of humor, your quick recovery from almost any tribulation and Life’s little “surprises” That’s the perfect word for her… my mother was a “pistol” had the best sense of humor and loved life just like you say in your poem…She knew it was good, even with the not so good mixed in.. Thank you for this dear comment, made me remember her very fondly again:) Ohh we had a million outtakes and those were the ones we should have kept…sadly my mom trashed most except these. 🤗❤️🙏
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awwww this is so tender and sweet. We would have all had a great time together for sure no doubt about that. Why is it we think they will live forever … sigh.. ugh.. i’m sure there are too many times you just wish you could pick up the phone.. . I def feel like I know her. Hugs and love oxxoxoxoxoxo
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Oh yes she lives in my heart and my mind…when she was alive she’d call me from the States to Costa Rica every morning, way before the internet..Her finance adviser said do you really have to spend $900 a month on long distance to Costa Rica and she said Yes, and that’s not going to change:) xoxoxoxo.. Thanks so much for bringing her front stage again today Cindy:) Much love to you!!
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Such a wonderful tribute! Blessings to you and your family!
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Thank you so much Joy for reading and leaving this very nice comment:)
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