Shirley Stories

My mom always made sure she told the 'fruit stand' story, whenever we were talking story at any gathering. I must have heard it 100's of times, but in case you somehow missed ;o) here it is as told by me this time..

so, mom would always gather us kids up, and maybe a few neighborhood kids, as many as could fit in the green ford station wagon we had, and off we'd go to wherever. I think we may have gone to Frontier Village this particular day, a long gone kids park that used to be off Monterey Rd. Anyway mom decides to stop at a fruit stand on the way back. She like to do things on a whim, many of you know..

so, we're getting ready to leave, and all the kids pile back into the wagon, but in the shuffle, one kid gets left out somehow...ME!

Mom would say, she started the car, started to drive away, and on the rearview mirror, she caught a glance of me standing in the parking lot, hands on my hips, very unhappy look on my face. She backed up, and the kids opened the door, and I said "You did that on purpose!".

so thats the fruit stand story, but thats just part one. Stay tuned for part 2 coming up...

Aloha 'Oe

about my Mom

My mom was born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1935. She would tell me stories about her childhood..swinging on banyan tree branches, running around in the hills and having to climb trees when they saw wild boar, swimming at the natatorium..and I loved the stories she told me about my Dad and my Uncle Danny when they were kids growing up in the same neighborhood. She didn't have it easy growing up, but I know that only made my mom more resilient and strong. She was a fighter. I think it also made her realize how important family is, because hers was pretty broken growing up.
She went from Hawaii to Los Angeles, and from there to settle down in San Jose. Spent her life working in the land title industry as an escrow officer. She liked what she did, but more so, she liked the people she worked with. Many of them she became very close to and built friendships that would last for decades.
I read once that love is the sincere appreciation of beauty, wherever you may find it. My mom found beauty everywhere, and in everything and everyone. And so she loved life, and living.
Her beautiful smiling face is etched in my minds eye, and I am so thankful to be her son, because she taught me to love life, regardless of what it throws at you. Not to take your blessings for granted. If you don't have anything nice to say, say nothing. The list is long..but above all, enjoy your life and loved ones. (And you can never have enough loved ones..)

Thanks Mom. I am so proud of you and who you became.

Aloha,
Randy

Farewell Shirley

farewell party for Mom

The Nichols Family hopes you can attend a gathering of family and friends to celebrate the life of Shirley Ann Nichols. It will be on Feb. 8, 2009 at the Santa Clara Elks Lodge, 1680 Martin Avenue, Santa Clara, CA. 12 noon to 6pm. Aloha attire is fine. There will be food and music. Please come with your stories about Mom, Gramma Shirley, Aunty Shirley, etc..

Randy

Bye Mom

I miss you so much. I sit quiet so I can hear your voice, close my eyes so I can see your face..Thank you, Mom..for teaching me about life..

Randy