Mom and me in 1954. Mom made the dresses we're wearing in this photo. She was a skilled seamstress.
[This post first ran on Mother's Day, May 13, 2012]
When I became pregnant with my daughter--my first--I was 29. I had a career. I had hobbies and interests--I was occupied with hiking, biking, fishing, gardening, photography, sewing, crafting and frequenting auctions, estate sales and garage sales.
I recall telling my mom that I hoped things wouldn't change too much after children. To this day, I remember her words: "Once a mother, always a mother. You can never go back."
So true. Our three children are grown--scattered around the country. They're all doing their own thing, as I did at their age. None is married. All are in relationships.
I love my children. I'm proud of them. I will stand by them always. Mom was right. No matter that they're adults now. I can never go back. I will always be their mother.
I lost my mom in 2006. Sometime after I started blogging, I began to connect the dots. It became clear to me that who I am at my core and who I have developed into was no accident. Sure, the genetics could be considered a happy accident. But the nurture part was BIG.
On this Mother's Day, I am sharing something I wrote about my mother after she passed on. If you follow my blog, you, too, might recognize some of her influences on me.
Our Mom
She was an only child, a farmer’s daughter
She was born in Minden, Neb., home of Harold Warp’s Pioneer Village
On the farm, she milked cows, dressed chickens and slopped hogs
And, she churned butter, baked bread and washed laundry by hand
When we were girls, Mom was our Girl Scout and 4-H leader
She always loved nature, respected the environment and taught us to do the same
She liked to tent camp when we were kids
She loved the mountains of Colorado, but was afraid of heights
By choice, she became a working mom long before it was fashionable
Still, she made time to sew stunning Barbie clothes and prom dresses (and many other great things)
She taught us to cook and bake (that didn't stick for me)
She always enjoyed traveling, especially with her children and grandchildren
As an empty nester, she took up tole painting and became quite an artist
She lost her dad early in her adulthood and took loving care of her mom
until her mom died
She let her creativity shine through in her daily life
She passionately watched birds and had a special fondness for cardinals and hummingbirds
She didn’t like snakes!
She taught us to believe in ourselves and to make our own decisions
She tackled every challenge head on
Throughout her life, she remained a voice of reason
For as long as she could, she gave back to the community as a volunteer
She deeply loved our dad, her two girls, our husbands and all of her grandchildren
But, she never meddled in our lives
She was unique and special and she was ours
Footnote: My one sibling, my dear sister, is as much a reflection of our mother as I am. We are a couple of lucky women, indeed, to have such a wonderful role model and mother.
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Ann, that was lovely. There's no separating you from your mother's wonderful influence. She was, I can see, a woman of many facets and she passed so much on to you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tribute to your mother! Happy Mother's Day!
ReplyDeleteThat was a really lovely and heartfelt tribute! Thanks so much for sharing this on The Creative HomeAcre Blog Hop.
ReplyDeleteWe hope to see you again this Sunday!