For my mother:  the page/question is …..

I liked to watch you(my mother) while you were …..  

Escorting people on tours and I was traveling with you.  It showed me what a strong, amazing woman you were.  It taught me that women could be successful and that all things were possible! 

You were able to not only command a room and make sure everything was done to your specifications but the opportunities that were presented to you were outstanding  to I remember going to tea with the Masai tribe… when no one else was invited, to go and see outstanding exhibits at the jewelry stores in India, special tours, and  special services….

The entire time you were able to make everything look so easy and effortless… when problems cropped up you created solutions and you made me believe that when there was a will there was a way and when you wanted something accomplished you always made it happen! 

I felt you could accomplish anything… I was so proud of you as “the boss” my mother and a woman.. somehow you balance and juggled everything and did it with style humor and grace.. yet you always accomplished your goals and achieved your dreams.. and always helped your three  daughters to do the same.. I love you for being exactly who you are/were…. no one can take your place.. and your as unique as every sunrise and sunset.. luv mary jean ziska

another question:  for my mother “My favorite way to spend time with you alone was…”

When we had our own trips/tours When we went to Mount Everest and neither  of my sisters  got to go  on that trip! I loved spending special moments/I remember being in India at Suffering Moses and seeing the painting on the paper mache  boxes the wood factory taking the shakara boat down these narrow rivers … the carpet factory… being with you while shopping  in Rome in Paris…. all over the world.. But especially when you seemed to take the time to care and spend special time with me.. I felt the whole world must have known how much you loved me.. I remember  sitting on the edge of your bed telling you of my daily adventures you seemed to have all the time and patience  in the world  to hear my “he said/ she said” play by play of what was going on who liked who and how I felt about it-
You picked out special trinkets from trips or even when you started my doll collection/ or stamp collection…or even when you made sure I had everything I could possibly need at boarding school… the care the time you spent and the love I felt and the gratitude I always told you ( even while with a strep throat on Mt Everest!HA!) I knew you made my life so very special and that i was valuable and loved and even lovable because you always not only told  us but showed us…

Evenings conversations over hot tea (with milk and honey)  even time spent at the make up counter.. or out to lunch or whenever you told me a special story of my childhood, of your childhood and shared your dreams.. All those moments I will always treasure… luv mary jean ziska