Thank you for that story, Earl. Happy Mothers Day to all who celebrate. To those of us whose mothers were ... uh... not exactly maternal, I get it. Don't sweat it. The day will pass. Stay off Facebook.
My own mother did the best she could, and I know she loved my sisters and me.
The best Mother’s Day gift I received from my own daughter was a simple text. No flowers, chocolate or other stuff I don’t need. Her text said: “Thanks for being a good mother. Seriously. It would have been so much easier for you not to be. I get it now more as a mother than anything.”
Beautiful story that covered so much of what people go thru in this life. Life is not easy and how you work through it means a lot to everyone. Your view and treatment of your mom shows true love and caring. Thank you for this in our difficult times. It is a positive story that says a lot
This is very true. But I must say, some endure the unimaginable that others gratefully don’t, like the loss of a child. It takes time to pick yourself up and put yourself back together from the pieces lying on the ground. Some will never achieve this. This life is not where it’s at. Look upwards. Happy Mother’s Day.
Agree not all face the same issues. I had a friend that lost both her children to different but horrid reasons and I marveled at how she managed to continue as a hospice RN. You are never the same person. Look at those Epstein women that keep fighting for justice….
Sadly she passed this year. Her spouse sent me a message as they had moved back to her hometown in north Florida from our area on the west central coast of Florida.
I laid my beautiful mother to rest on Friday - dementia took her from us. I was her caregiver for the past 7 years. Her life was not an easy one but she was very loved by her children. I miss her already.
I don't know how you do it, but you can touch my heart so deeply with the things you share. So many times you have brought me to tears. Always appreciate your willingness to share - both your knowledge and your heart. Kay is smiling on you as you make her so proud. Good journalist, good man, good son.
Thank you for your lovely story, D.Earl. Like others here have said, I too, noticed your mom‘s resemblance to Jackie Kennedy in her beautiful smile.
Yesterday, another writer here on Substack posed a question as to what our mothers should be remembered for. I would like to share my response here, if you don’t mind:
Besides being my gateway to this world, my mother, whose 109th birthday would have been this past week was a first generation American by way of Russia and Romania, in difficult times. Her mother, my grandmother, sadly perished during the influenza epidemic of 1918 when my mother was still a baby, leaving her and her brother to be raised by their aunt, my great aunt, in a large cold water flat that they shared with other family members and a variety of eastern European immigrant tenants on Chicago’s old west side in the aftermaths of World War I and ll. It was far from an easy life as I learned from having lived there myself until the age of five. I may write an essay one day further detailing all of this, but do not wish to dominate this forum now. So to answer today’s question, my mother was my primary inspiration and supporter of my decision to become an artist/illustrator. Though she herself had talent, she did not have the opportunity or training to pursue the arts for herself. Instead, she helped to hone my powers of observation, pointing out small details of our immediate surroundings and the world around us. In addition, she taught me patience to pursue projects to their completion. Though I was a shy child, she was a fighter who taught me by example to stand up for myself in the face of discrimination or injustice. An ideal person she was not, with no filters on her reactions to others, but I know that she had a good heart. I suppose I could say that she taught me much about how one should be and how one should not be. On reflection, none of us is perfect, but we learn from everyone whom we encounter in our lives.
What a wonderful reminiscence of your Mom. She was so beautiful and, to me, looks a lot like Jackie Kennedy! It's so hard to lose our Moms. I miss mine everyday. Take care and be well, Earl. 😊
My mom was diagnosed almost 4 years ago and just moved in with my sister--after 8 months in a facility that we no longer trusted to care for her. She still knows who we are, but I think she has forgotten who Trump is. Win-win!! Thank you for sharing your beautiful story.
Bless all our moms, your Kay, and my Edy. We were so fortunate to have unconditional love and support even when they were struggling with their own issues and lives; we never truly knew. We’re all the better for our loving ones.
You just brought tears to my eyes with the story about your beautiful mother Kay.
I'm a mother of 3 wonderful children who have made their lives happy and successful throughout their challenges. They're living all over the country, but I feel close to them.
My mother was an unusual and loving woman--always beautiful, deeply appreciative of arts and music, orphaned at 9 when her mother was placed in a sanitarium for diphtheria until she died 3 years later. Raised by her tante and uncle who were loving, but her cousins were mean, and the uncle's wife resented her presence. Her education was placed in the hands of a private school (for boys of course) Headmaster. She won a statewide spelling bee in Virginia, could quote Shakespeare and famous poems.
But before I run out of steam, she managed a small dept. at the Atomic Energy Commission in NY City. (No college education) When she wanted to retire, they couldn't get any of the replacements to learn the coding that she apparently had no trouble with. Everyone tried to help any of the aspirants for her small job, and finally the big boss from Washington DC had to work with this NY team. [she was not allowed to retire!] I knew she was very knowledgable about music, especially opera, and artists, and everything to do with history in these fields, but math and coding for the Atomic Energy Commission! She took this job to make sure I'd be able to go to college.
This loving and lovely woman is still missed and appreciated by me and by each of my children.
Thank you for that story, Earl. Happy Mothers Day to all who celebrate. To those of us whose mothers were ... uh... not exactly maternal, I get it. Don't sweat it. The day will pass. Stay off Facebook.
Thanks for saying that, Ann.
a wonderful tribute to your mom
That’s a beautiful memory, Earl.
My own mother did the best she could, and I know she loved my sisters and me.
The best Mother’s Day gift I received from my own daughter was a simple text. No flowers, chocolate or other stuff I don’t need. Her text said: “Thanks for being a good mother. Seriously. It would have been so much easier for you not to be. I get it now more as a mother than anything.”
Perfection.
Beautiful story that covered so much of what people go thru in this life. Life is not easy and how you work through it means a lot to everyone. Your view and treatment of your mom shows true love and caring. Thank you for this in our difficult times. It is a positive story that says a lot
Life is not easy ...
Truer words were never spoken.
Everyone faces challenges thru life and it is how we respond that makes a difference.
This is very true. But I must say, some endure the unimaginable that others gratefully don’t, like the loss of a child. It takes time to pick yourself up and put yourself back together from the pieces lying on the ground. Some will never achieve this. This life is not where it’s at. Look upwards. Happy Mother’s Day.
Agree not all face the same issues. I had a friend that lost both her children to different but horrid reasons and I marveled at how she managed to continue as a hospice RN. You are never the same person. Look at those Epstein women that keep fighting for justice….
I am in awe of your friend.
Sadly she passed this year. Her spouse sent me a message as they had moved back to her hometown in north Florida from our area on the west central coast of Florida.
Exactly ...
I liked this with a tear in my eye. Correction: I liked this with tears running down my cheeks.
I get that ...
I laid my beautiful mother to rest on Friday - dementia took her from us. I was her caregiver for the past 7 years. Her life was not an easy one but she was very loved by her children. I miss her already.
Wow ...
Sending love, Cindy. What you did was not easy. Speaks to the amazing person you are.
Thank you for the kind comment. I would do it all over again other than the fact that I’m tired & older now.
I don't know how you do it, but you can touch my heart so deeply with the things you share. So many times you have brought me to tears. Always appreciate your willingness to share - both your knowledge and your heart. Kay is smiling on you as you make her so proud. Good journalist, good man, good son.
That means a lot, Susan. I appreciate that very much.
Thank you for your lovely story, D.Earl. Like others here have said, I too, noticed your mom‘s resemblance to Jackie Kennedy in her beautiful smile.
Yesterday, another writer here on Substack posed a question as to what our mothers should be remembered for. I would like to share my response here, if you don’t mind:
Besides being my gateway to this world, my mother, whose 109th birthday would have been this past week was a first generation American by way of Russia and Romania, in difficult times. Her mother, my grandmother, sadly perished during the influenza epidemic of 1918 when my mother was still a baby, leaving her and her brother to be raised by their aunt, my great aunt, in a large cold water flat that they shared with other family members and a variety of eastern European immigrant tenants on Chicago’s old west side in the aftermaths of World War I and ll. It was far from an easy life as I learned from having lived there myself until the age of five. I may write an essay one day further detailing all of this, but do not wish to dominate this forum now. So to answer today’s question, my mother was my primary inspiration and supporter of my decision to become an artist/illustrator. Though she herself had talent, she did not have the opportunity or training to pursue the arts for herself. Instead, she helped to hone my powers of observation, pointing out small details of our immediate surroundings and the world around us. In addition, she taught me patience to pursue projects to their completion. Though I was a shy child, she was a fighter who taught me by example to stand up for myself in the face of discrimination or injustice. An ideal person she was not, with no filters on her reactions to others, but I know that she had a good heart. I suppose I could say that she taught me much about how one should be and how one should not be. On reflection, none of us is perfect, but we learn from everyone whom we encounter in our lives.
Thank you for putting this here, Ilene.
What a wonderful reminiscence of your Mom. She was so beautiful and, to me, looks a lot like Jackie Kennedy! It's so hard to lose our Moms. I miss mine everyday. Take care and be well, Earl. 😊
You aren't the first to point out the resemblance, Meg.
The resemblance is uncanny! What an incredibly beautiful woman, who raised a wonderful, kind, smart and empathetic son. 😊
My mom was diagnosed almost 4 years ago and just moved in with my sister--after 8 months in a facility that we no longer trusted to care for her. She still knows who we are, but I think she has forgotten who Trump is. Win-win!! Thank you for sharing your beautiful story.
Sending love to your family, Cheryl.
What a sweet and profound remembrance.
Thank you. Kay was lovely. The flowers tell a true story.
Kid on the right much better looking. Just Joking, the one in the left.....
Beautiful story.
Bless all our moms, your Kay, and my Edy. We were so fortunate to have unconditional love and support even when they were struggling with their own issues and lives; we never truly knew. We’re all the better for our loving ones.
That's a fact.
You just brought tears to my eyes with the story about your beautiful mother Kay.
I'm a mother of 3 wonderful children who have made their lives happy and successful throughout their challenges. They're living all over the country, but I feel close to them.
My mother was an unusual and loving woman--always beautiful, deeply appreciative of arts and music, orphaned at 9 when her mother was placed in a sanitarium for diphtheria until she died 3 years later. Raised by her tante and uncle who were loving, but her cousins were mean, and the uncle's wife resented her presence. Her education was placed in the hands of a private school (for boys of course) Headmaster. She won a statewide spelling bee in Virginia, could quote Shakespeare and famous poems.
But before I run out of steam, she managed a small dept. at the Atomic Energy Commission in NY City. (No college education) When she wanted to retire, they couldn't get any of the replacements to learn the coding that she apparently had no trouble with. Everyone tried to help any of the aspirants for her small job, and finally the big boss from Washington DC had to work with this NY team. [she was not allowed to retire!] I knew she was very knowledgable about music, especially opera, and artists, and everything to do with history in these fields, but math and coding for the Atomic Energy Commission! She took this job to make sure I'd be able to go to college.
This loving and lovely woman is still missed and appreciated by me and by each of my children.
Thanks for that all that about her, Valerie.
A true giant.
Thank you for sharing this lovely story D. Earl. Your mom would be so touched by your memory of her.
Thanks, Elizabeth.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️