2023 ~ Remembering My Beautiful Mom ~

Elfriede Haf 

21 March 1933 ~ 21 July 2010 

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"But behind all your stories is always your mother's story, 

because hers is where yours begins." ~ Mitch Albom 

This quote was found on fellow Family Historian, Dawn's @modernheirloom 

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On this day, thirteen July's have come and gone since my beautiful mom passed. I say this every year, but it just doesn't feel like thirteen years ago, it feels like yesterday to me - still. 

Mom's passing has affected me significantly. None of us expected it and it is still hard to believe she is not here with us. Life just hasn't been the same but I know she would want me to keep on keeping and that's what I try to do.  I think of her everyday, feel her in little things (and big things too) that I do in my daily life. The older I get, I see her in me more and more and I am happy that I am very much like her in many ways. I miss her so much, more than words could ever express. 

This photo of my mom is one of my very favorites of her. I believe (not 100%) that she is pregnant with me when this was taken. I remember her saying something about that when she gave me this photo. This framed photo sits on my counter in my kitchen next to her mom's (my Oma, Liselotte Haf née Kaiser ~ 1913 - 2010) recipe for one or our favorite German Christmas cookies. I get to glance at it everyday and it always makes me smile.  Love and miss you Mom ~ 

Postcards From Germany ~ Augsburg, Germany ~

Postcards From Germany Series ~ You can read the original story behind these postcards here ~

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Augsburg, Rathaus und Perlach bei Nacht

Aus Bildband:

Augsburg die Stadt des Pyrs u. Reichsadler 

Verlag W. Muller, Augsburg, von-Paris-Str. 11 Tel. 2 67 96

Foto: Hans W. Silvester 

ECHT FOTO

WM 15 536

Translation ~

Augsburg, Town Hall and Perlach at night

From illustrated book:

Augsburg the city of Pyrs u. imperial eagle

Verlag W. Muller, Augsburg, from-Paris-Str. 11 Tel. 2 67 96

Photo: Hans W. Silvester

REAL PHOTO

WM 15 536 

Date of postcard: Unknown

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AUGSBURG

Maximillianstrasse mit Rathaus und Perlach

Hans Andres Verlag, Munchen - Foto: Hans Hartz

Translation ~

AUGSBURG

Maximilianstraße with town hall and Perlach

Hans Andres Verlag, Munich - Photo: Hans Hartz

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Augsburg

Rathaus und Perlachturn

Translation ~

Augsburg

Town Hall and Perlachturn

Photo from my cousin, Marion ~ Town Hall Christmas Market

The Rathaus and Perlachturn in 2016

                                                                          

Postcards From Germany ~

In 2010, when my mom, Elfriede Haf (1933-2010) passed away, I inherited her collection of photos, letters, postcards and greeting cards that she had received and saved from family and friends . . . postcards she purchased on trips that she collected and kept over the years . . . for a while, it was hard for me to go thru these items, I just wasn't ready . . . but now, I feel I am.  Mom was born in Augsburg, Germany and immigrated to the United States in 1956, leaving her entire family and embarking on a new journey in her life . . . she would fly back "home" about once a year.  Mom loved to travel, so I have many postcards she kept from her travels and received from family in Augsburg, Germany.

One of the most rewarding gifts I have received from these letters and postcards is where they were sent to, the many addresses we lived at, postmarks with the dates . . . truly a genealogical treasure chest . . . I then created a timeline of our homes and all those places we have lived . . . love timelines and mapping where we have been.

For the last few months, I have been scanning, organizing and focusing mainly on the letters and postcards . . . it's as if I am traveling to those far away places today. I thought it was time to share those postcards here on my blog ~ beautifully captured scenes of our beloved Augsburg and from her travels throughout Germany and other countries. I would have to say that most of her collection of postcards are from Augsburg, Germany but there is much to share from other beautiful places ~

Welcome to my blog series, Postcards From Germany ~

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Augsburg -

Wahrzeichen der Stadt:

Das Rathaus mit Perlachturm

von Elias Holl 

Foto: Verkehrsverein Augsburg e.V.  

-Nr. 113

Translation ~

Augsburg -

True to the city:

The town hall with Perlachturm

by Elias Holl

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2000 Jahre Augsburg

Dom St. Maria

Gotischer Bau auf romanischem Kern

Erste Weihe 807 unter Bischof Simpert

Domlange 113 m, Breite 40 m, Ostchor 28 m hoch

Bronzeportal mit 35 Reliefs, 11. Jh. 

altester Glasfensterzyklus der Welt, 11. Jh.

Foto: Traudel Buhler, Augsburg - Nr. 130 

Translation ~

2000 years Augsburg

Cathedral of St. Mary

Gothic building on Romanesque core

First consecration 807 under Bishop Simpert

Cathedral length 113 m, width 40 m, east choir 28 m high

Bronze portal with 35 reliefs, 11th cent.

Oldest Glass Window Cycle in the World, 11th Century.

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Romantsches Augsburg

Die beiden Wasserturme wurden vom 15. bis 17. Jahr-hundert erbaut. Im Hintergrund das Roste Tor, 1622 von Elias Holl als Wachturm errichtet, sowie der gotische 

Hochgiebel des Spitals.

Foto: Dr. Stefan Vogel - Nr. 147

Translation ~

Romantic Augsburg

The two water towers were built from the 15th to the 17th century. In the background the grate gate, built in 1622 by Elias Holl as a watchtower, as well as the gothic

high gable of the hospital.

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Der Goldene Saal

Im Augsburger Rathaus (zerstort im Febr. 1944) ist einer

der grossten historischen Rathaussale in Mitteleuropa. Der

Augsburger Matthias Kager war der Schopfer der reichen 

ausstattung (Lange 32, 5 m, Breite 17, 5 m, Hohe 14 m).

Aufnahme: Stadt Augsburg - Fotolabor - Nr. 160

Translation ~

The Golden Hall

In the Augsburg city hall (destroyed in the febr. 1944) is one

the largest historical town halls in Central Europe. Of the

Augsburg Matthias Kager was the creator of the rich

equipment (length 32, 5 m, width 17, 5 m, height 14 m).

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Augsburg. Stadt. Kunstsammlungen

Festsaal im Schaezler-Palais. 1767.

Aufnahme: A. F. Kersting, London

Deutscher Kunstverlag, Munchen Berlin

F 142

Translation ~

Augsburg City. Art Collections

Ballroom in Schaezler-Palais. 1767.

Photo: A. F. Kersting, London

German art publisher, Munchen (Munich), Berlin

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 Front

Back

The bag that I found this set of postcards in . . . Mom must have purchased

them on one of her trips home.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Missing Mom ~

Elfriede Haf ~ 1933-2010 

Photo was taken in May of 1971, at our duplex home on White Drive in Santa Clara, CA.

1971 . . . Mom standing in our living room modeling her new jacket ~ I love this photo of mom, she reminds me of Jackie Kennedy. The art piece hanging above the fireplace, was created by my ex-husband, Jim. 

                                                                   

In Loving Memory of Mom ~

Elfriede Haf ~ Serafin 

21 March 1933 ~ 21 July 2010

Six years ago today, was a day that I didn't expect for a long time to come . . . especially since we had just lost my Oma, my mom's mom.  It still doesn't seem like it's been six years since I lost my mom . . . my heart still feels that same ache and I miss her more than ever. 

I do count my blessings everyday . . . I was blessed to have had such a wonderful, wise and loving mother and I have so many wonderful memories of a good life she made for us . . . thank you, mom . . . you live in my heart each and every day . . . we love and miss you. 

Wordless Wednesday ~ Father and Daughter ~

My (yours truly) maternal grandfather , Adalbert Haf b. 27 Feb 1907 ~ d. 9 Feb 1968 and

my mom, Elfriede Haf, b. 21 Mar 1933 ~ d. 21 July 2010 ~  

I am guessing this photo was taken when mom was about six or seven, so maybe in 1940 or 1941. 

It's so neat to see my mom as a little girl . . . so cute with her little hat. Love this photo. 

~ The original ~ 

In Sweet Remembrance of my Beautiful Mom ~ ♥

Elfriede Haf~Serafin

21 March 1933 ~ 21 July 2010
Unvergessin
                             

Today, marks the fifth year since we lost mom . . . hard to believe this much time has passed. I say the same thing every year at this time, that no matter how much time goes by, it still feels like yesterday. Every moment is very clear and time doesn't change that . . . I still have that ache in my heart.

This year, I picked photos for her memorial collage that I thought brought out how mom lived her life . . . she was fun, happy, content, full of spunk and love and wiser than anyone I have known. She loved life.

There are a few photos that I know she would rather I not share but, as I looked through them, they brought such a smile to my face and heart . . . they are just so "her!" There were so many more but for now, these say it best.

I miss my mom and my best friend more than I can express . . . here's to you mom . . . we love you!

~~~~~~~ ♥ ~~~~~~~

The special bond of Mother and child is written with love on their hearts and souls and make them a part of each other forever.   ~ Author unknown

                                             
                                                                                                          
Photos ~ starting left, going clockwise ~

• Mom standing in my aunt Ginnie's kitchen on our 2008 trip to Kentucky in our RV.
• Newspaper photo and article about mom becoming the first female store manager for Montgomery Wards in San Jose.
• April of 2010 ~ mom flew home to Augsburg to arrange my Oma's (1913 - 2010) memorial service ~ she is playing cards with my cousins, Eleni and Marina at my cousin, Marion's home.
• Childhood photo ~ guessing she may be about ten or eleven (date is unknown)? 
• Mom at a vintage car show.
• Not quite sure what mom was doing with the Spaghetti packages but she was having a great time! 
• Mom and my daughter, Lacie in Augsburg, Germany in 1992.
• Mom in her apartment on Homestead Road in Santa Clara . . . the mid 1970's.
• Center photo ~ mom sitting on the side of her pool (date unknown).
• The background . . . a letter on note paper from my Oma. 

Sentimental Sunday ~ 1995 ~ Grand Canyon, Arizona

Slowly, we have been moving back into our home after living in our RV for over four weeks due to a leak from our old refrigerator. The flooring in our entire home had to be replaced. As I put my genea-office back together, I am reorganizing, scanning, and getting rid of things I don’t need any longer. 

I came across this sweet photo of my daughter and my mom, Elfriede Haf (1933-2010), sitting on the rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, in August of 1995 . . . it was a wonderful trip. This summer we are taking a road trip in our RV across country to visit my eighty-four year old aunt in Louisville, Kentucky.  Our first stop . . . the Grand Canyon, I would like to find that same spot and take a photo with my daughter.

Heading out of Arizona, we will then travel on over to Rowlett, Texas, stopping to visit family there. As we travel thru the different states, we plan to take our time and sight see until we get to Missouri, to visit more family . . . and then onto Kentucky.

In Kentucky, I have quite a few family history trips planned. Several of our Tabeling’s that passed away in 1919 from the Spanish flu, are buried at the Cloverport Cemetery together in one plot . . . they have never had a marker for their grave. My aunt and cousin purchased a headstone for them and it was recently installed. My aunt and I will be taking a trip to Cloverport to see that new headstone . . . so grateful that they now have a marker on their grave. I have a few relatives buried at the famous and beautiful Cave Hill Cemetery there in Louisville, so I plan to visit that cemetery also.

Looking forward to getting out of Dodge, taking lots of photos, and making lots of memories to keep and hold onto. 

Sentimental Sunday ~ Happy Mother's Day my Beautiful Mom ~

 

I love this photo of mom (1933-2010) and I . . . as I stare at it, I can see and feel the love and closeness that my mom and I shared. She was the most beautiful loving, caring, wise mom and I got to be her daughter . . . how I miss her. Happy Mother's Day Mom . . . I love you! 

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And . . . very special Mother's Day wishes to my "other" mom's. These mom's love me and have been there for me no matter what, thank you . . . love and hugs to you all.  

• Oma ~ Liselotte Haf nee Kaiser  (1913-2010) ~ My dear grandmother ~ I miss her. 
• Hazel ~ Has been a part of my life since I was about four years old
• Marie ~ My ex mother-in-law who has been a part of my life since I was fifteen years old and still a part of my life today. I love hearing the words, "You are my daughter!" 
• Nita ~ Has been a part of my life since I was about seven years old . . . we lived across the street from each other. I received my first bicycle from Nita and Gene . . . she has been a constant force of love for me, she has a very special place in my heart, her daughter Sandy and I have been friends all these years. 
• Evelyn ~ My mother-in-law, has embraced me as her own daughter as well and loves me unconditionally. 

I love you all with all my heart ~ 

 ~ Happy Mother's Day ~ 

Wishing a Beautiful Christmas to All ~

A little Christmas cheer from my home to yours ~

~ Merry Christmas ~ 
~ Frohe Weihnachten ~ 

The Christmas tree that stands so beautiful and tall, adorned with ornaments as old as I am . . . belonged to my beautiful mom (1933~2010).  I was blessed to inherit her family room tree (she always had two artificial trees standing in her home) and ornaments. The furry little kitty (who is not real) laying on mom's wicker chair, always hung out in my mom's office . . . he's now comfy in my home and enjoying Christmas Day.  


I also inherited mom's Thomas Kinkade Christmas Village collection . . . it's a beautiful village and each time I look at it . . . I smile and mom and all the memories warm my heart and I know she is here with our family.

  ~ Happy Holidays and warm Christmas wishes to all . . . to our friends and family  . . . to remembering all of those who have gone before us, keeping our Ancestors close to our hearts ~ and to making many new memories in the New Year for generations to come . May all your wishes come true ~  
                                

  2009  Christmas blog card ~
2010 Christmas blog card ~ 
2011 Christmas blog card ~ 
2012 Christmas blog card ~ 

                                                                     

In Sweet Remembrance of my Beautiful Mom ~ 1933 - 2010 ~

 

Elfriede Haf~Serafin

21 March 1933 ~ 21 July 2010

Unvergessin

The special bond of Mother and child is written with love on their hearts and souls and make them a part of each other forever.   ~ Author unknown                             

It's hard to believe it's been three years since my beautiful mom, Elfriede Haf-Serafin, passed away . . . time passes quickly and as I have said all along, it still feels like yesterday . . . I guess it always will. 

What a mom she was though . . . I can't thank her enough for being the loving, wise, warm and giving mom she was to me. I sure wish I had asked those certain questions (as we all wished we had) so that I could have gotten to know her more as the great woman she was outside of being "mom" . . . but, I have been blessed with many years of beautiful memories of life with mom and that sustains me . . . thank you, mom. 

We miss her here deeply . . . we continue to keep her memory alive each day . . . her love and legacy lives through me, her grandchild, great-grandchildren and all who knew her . . . we love you mom . . . Schlaf gut . . . Schlaf in Himmlischer Ruh . . . .

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If roses grow in Heaven, Lord, pick a bunch for me ~ Place them in my Mother's arms & tell her they're from me ~ Tell her that I love & miss her, & when she turns to smile ~ place a kiss upon her cheek & hold her for a while ~ Because remembering her is easy ~ I . . . do it everyday ~ There's an ache within my heart that will never go away.     ~ Author unknown 

♥  Thank you Terri Kallio, for creating this beautiful collage of mom, including our hands, Augsburg in the background and surprising me . . . my heart is full.

Sentimental Sunday ~ Happy Mother's Day ~

Everything I learned about love, I learned from my Mother ~

                                         ~  Marita Golden

 

 ~ Happy Mother's Day to my very special Mom (1933 ~ 2010) and Oma (1913 ~ 2010) ~          

                       

   Who is it that loves me
and will love me forever . . .
It's you, my mother.
         
~ Thomas Carlyle

                                            

  You will forever be loved and remembered ~

~ Vergissmeinnicht ~

(Forget-me-not)

Liselotte "Oma" Haf 

19 Dec 1913 ~ 5 April 2010

~~~~~~~~~~~

Elfriede Haf ~ Serafin
21 Mar 1933 ~ 21 July 2010

The background photo is of Hydrangea's I have growing along the front walkway of my home, one of my favorite flowers. Original post here

Happy Birthday, Mom ~

 

Happy 80th, Birthday, Mom . . . special birthday wishes to an amazing Mom, Grandmother, and Great-grandmother. It was because of your birth, on this day, that made an amazing difference in so many lives . . . thank you. We all miss and love you very much.

Elfriede Haf ~ Serafin

~ b. 21 March 1933 ~ d. 21 July 2010 ~

(Mom's Find-a-grave memorial)

Merry Christmas to You and Yours ~

 

A little Christmas cheer from my home to yours ~

~ Merry Christmas ~ 
~ Frohe Weihnachten ~ 

The Christmas tree that stands so beautiful and tall, adorned with ornaments as old as I am . . . belonged to my beautiful mom (1933~2010).  I was blessed to inherit her family room tree (she always had two artificial trees standing in her home ) and ornaments. 


I also inherited her Thomas Kinkade Christmas Village collection . . . it's a beautiful village and each time I look at it . . . I smile and mom warms my heart and I know she is here with our family.

  ~ Happy Holidays and warm Christmas wishes to all . . . to our friends and family  . . . to remembering all of those who have gone before us, keeping our Ancestors close to our hearts ~ and to making many new memories in the New Year for generations to come . May all your wishes come true ~  
                                

  2009  Christmas blog card ~
2010 Christmas blog card ~ 
2011 Christmas blog card ~ 

                                                                     

Blog Caroling ~ Stille Nacht ~ Silent Night

                  Stille Nacht  (Silent Night) ~ Vienna Boys Choir ~

Silent Night (Stille Nacht)
In English

Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born.
Silent night, holy night!
Son of God love's pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth.
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth





Stille Nacht (Silent Night)
In Deutsch (German)

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Alles schläft; einsam wacht
Nur das traute hochheilige Paar.
Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Hirten erst kundgemacht
Durch der Engel Halleluja,
Tönt es laut von fern und nah:
Christ, der Retter ist da!
Christ, der Retter ist da!

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht
Lieb' aus deinem göttlichen Mund,
Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund'.
Christ, in deiner Geburt!
Christ, in deiner Geburt!

This has been and always will be my very favorite Christmas song! Stille Nacht (Silent Night) was also my mom's very favorite and she loved the Vienna Choir Boys...so it's perfect as to why I chose it for footnoteMaven' s Tradition of Blog Caroling...thank you  fM! 
And here's to you Mom and Oma . . . Schlaf Gut . . . Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh! . . . I love you  ~


Mom ~  Elfriede Haf - Serafin (1933~2010)
Liselotte 'Oma' Haf nee Kaiser (1913~2010)
This post has been recycled from my original post for footnoteMaven's Blog Caroling post in 2011.