Tell me about your mother.
I called my Sis and I'm not sure if it's the weather or she has a short in her phone, or if the battery is dying, but I could hardly hear her. Lots of static. I told her I'd call her back on her cell, and I'm pretty sure she said it was dead. Her DH must have been outside or somewhere or else I'm sure he would have gotten her one of the other phones. Anyway, it's probably just as well I didn't talk to her. After reading everyone's Mom posts I was already teary eyed. Sis and I would prabably have just sat and cried at each other!
It's interesting the way our parents influence the way we turn out, isn't it? My Mom loved to clean house, my Sis got that, I didn't. My DH's Dad was an alcoholic. Some of his children were too. The rest won't drink at all. I love to cook. My sons do too, my daughter does not. What environmental or psycological influence makes siblings who grew up together, so different in many ways, yet so alike in others?
Enough philosophy. Back to my sewing machine. I MUST finish today. I promised myself!
Grammylew in Jax
I had a complicated relationship with Mom. She was almost deaf from the age of 16, but she never felt handicapped by it. She didn't hear my words correctly so I quit trying to talk to her as a child. She still held me and loved me but conversation was not really part of it.
My Mom was fiery... she was not ever a "keep the peace" person. If it needed to be said it was said. My Mom worked when I was little and also as I got older. She was an independent woman before her time.
We never doubted Mom's love for us. She went above and beyond in so many ways.
She was 84 when she died. She lived a great life, a full life. I miss her.
Julia
Julia,
Isn't it nice that even in complication, we all love and have memories of our mom's that are a witness to their love for us and their strength. When I remember my mom, I remember her kind eyes, her comforiting voice, and her laughter. I also remember her tears from having buried two of her children. We saw our moms from the outside; on those rare times when we saw their inside, we have a real meaningful memory. Today, I told my daughter that if there's one thing I want her to know about my mom, her grandmother, is that she suffered pain with all her heart and when she cried, she cried from that pain…we knew. Likewise, she laughed with all her heart too.
It is a nice feeling to know that your mom loved you. To you, my friend, I hope your mother's day went well and your memories warmed your heart.
I am in tears reading your stories. My story has two mothers.
My birth mother died very suddenly when I was age 7. She had a cold, got me ready for school, and my aunt came to school at 11:00 a.m. to tell me my mother had gone to live with the angels. She died when her throat swelled shut, and she could not breathe.
My father was left with three young children to care for. After several years of widowhood, he met a young widow who also had three children. Their relationship started out as a marriage of convenience. This was 1961, and my dad needed someone to take care of his kids, and she needed someone to provide financially.
After the marriage, we all went to court and everyone was adopted. My new mother and I didn't always get along well, because I had the attitude that "it wouldn't be this way if my mother hadn't died". I know I was not the easiest kid, but she worked until she won me over and she was no longer my stepmom, she was my mom. It didn't take anything away from my birth mother, but it was wonderful to have this new mother.
She put up with me through my rotten teen years, she saw me through marriage and children. She was always there willing to listen and give me advice when asked. I was fortunate to have her in my life for 40 years.
She died unexpectedly during heart surgery, which the doctor said was a minor surgery, but it didn't turn out that way.
She died in 2001, and I still miss her every day. She was a woman who didn't have to be my mother, but CHOSE to be, and I thank God every day that she was in my life
Mom, I hope you know how much I loved you. Happy Mother's Day!
What a great post. It takes a special woman to raise children, but it takes a real special woman to raise children who knew and loved their mother. My sister raised me after my mom died. My mom really had two sets of children: eight older kids who were married by the time I was in elementary school and my little sister and me. So, my little sister lived with the next to the oldest sister and I lived with the oldest. Neither older sister had to take us but they did and even though they were not always the best they could have been, they did the best they could. I have forgiven some of the not so good behaviors of my older sister, and I think she has come to terms with the sadness that I endured losing my mother when I was just a child.
I'm glad you had a happy life and happy that you have two moms that you loved and still love very much.
