THE Mother of TIGHTLINE...

She’s the Reason We Serve Like We Do!

Mom (Nanny) and Charli

My mom is—and has always been—an encouraging presence in my life. She is not one for speeches, but her one-liners stick like my grandkids to their Halloween bags. Somewhere between a lost tennis match and a flying racquet, she said, “Let your last impression be your best one.” And like most of her wisdom, it landed quietly and stayed loud.

It’s not just for goodbyes. It’s for the handshake after a match, the last five minutes of a lesson, the final slide of a meeting—or when someone hollers, “Y’all got any more catfish and hushpuppies?” That’s Central Texas for “Thanks, y’all.”

Folks might forget your opening joke—or that foot fault you blamed on the wind—but they’ll remember how you wrapped it up. That handshake, that quiet thank-you, that extra hushpuppy you snuck onto their plate.

At our last TightLine cookout, while folks swapped stories and leftovers, Addie and Harper were quietly wiping down tables. No spotlight, no fuss—just steady hands and quiet care. That was their last impression. And it stuck.

So whether I’m stacking trays or signing off a committee call, I try to remember: the last impression’s the one that walks out the door.

                                               

Front Row Love 

That’s my mom and dad—still leading the way with steady hands and quiet joy. You can see it in her gentle hold of Maisie and his quiet pride. Their impression isn’t loud—it’s lived, daily, in the way our family carries faith, food, and fellowship forward.

Thanks, Mom! Your words still guide the way.