The Coat Rack

Today is the 14th anniversary of my Mom's death.   Have to admit, that I wasn't even thinking about the anniversary coming up, but I have been thinking about my Mom a lot lately.  I know she would be so proud of me for making this journey.  She would also be sitting at home nagging my Father about when they would get to come visit.   I still always regret not taking her up on offers to bike around Europe when I was in high school..  I remember thinking "no way am I doing that" and "how stupid".  You know, the typical teenage thoughts about their parents.  And, then, I remember thinking in my early twenties "how stupid was I to pass up a free trip to Europe" and "maybe my mom knew what she was talking about".   By the time I was traveling and living in Europe, she was not feeling well enough to make the trip.  Maybe that is one of the reasons I am here, because you just really have to take the opportunity to do these things while you still can.  And, because my children don't think I too stupid for doing them yet.

Anyways, what does this all have to do with a coat rack?  Well, because I was really feeling like I was channeling my inner "Jean Broberg creativity" this week. And I kept thinking about how proud she would be.  I have really wanted a coat rack, and I had a perfect place to put one.  But, alas, the shopping here in New Zealand was not going to comply with that dream.  So, I decided to make one.  And I did so with out any tools and not much expense.  A little like McGuyver, a little like my mother.   All it took was a piece of drift wood, rocks, shells from the beach.  I bought a planter and package of ten garage hooks (for 6.99,  real hooks were going to cost me 11.99 a piece).   I may have used a kitchen knife to saw a little off the bottom of the wood.   But, I did it, and I love it.  As I was screwing the last hook in last night and thinking of my mother, I realized it was the April 11th (we are day ahead here), the day we lost her.  Love you mom, and I dedicate this coat rack to you.  Thank you for teaching me I can do anything!!