Remembering My Mother……

R

“Through the blur, I wondered if I was alone or if other parents felt the same way I did – that everything involving our children was painful in some way. The emotions, whether they were joy, sorrow, love or pride, were so deep and sharp that in the end they left you raw, exposed and yes, in pain. The human heart was not designed to beat outside the human body and yet, each child represented just that – a parent’s heart bared, beating forever outside its chest.” 
― Debra Ginsberg

My Mother was a beautiful woman. She modeled, continuing for a while even after my brother and I were born. She had a beautiful voice and with her two older sisters sang together on the radio before they all eventually married.  She was an amazing cook, and from an early age encouraged us to try new foods.  I learned to love stuffed artichokes from a very early age. She loved to garden, and no matter where we lived, the house was always decorated beautifully as well. She was a gifted artist, just like her father, but sadly never painted as an adult. She loved dogs and horses, and in fact when I was born, my parents already had a fawn Great Dane named Seager. Our relationship was complicated, but I always loved her and I never doubted that she loved me. She died, like my Dad, much too early, and both have been gone for quite some time now. I think of her often. When I look at this photo, taken by my Dad, I try and remember that like every parent, they were once young themselves, full of hopes and dreams, for themselves and their children. Each child is truly a unique individual and there wasn’t any instruction manual stamped on their babies bottom, so they raised us as best as they knew how. My friends have told me over the years that they remember my mother as an elegant, graceful and dignified woman, and I would agree. The one thing about both my parents that stands out for me, is that I never, and I mean never heard either one of them say a mean thing about another person. And secondly, they rarely, if ever, raised their voices. When they really meant to get a message across, they used our full names, and we never questioned their intent….respect. Those two things are what I remember most about my Mom, and I have tried to emulate that, although not nearly as successfully as she did. She  also insisted on good manners. All in all, I turned out ok, and for that I was always grateful.

For those of you that are fortunate enough to still have your Mother in your life, Happy Mother’s Day to your Mom. For those that aren’t as lucky, I hope you have sweet memories. And for those of you that are now Mother’s as well , I hope you have a beautiful day making memories enough for a lifetime.

For those of you that are animal lovers, a few photos of mothers in nature. Sometimes we might learn a few things about life and parenting from them if we simply observe. For all- wishing you a great day.