I know how lucky I am and you can bet your bottom dollar that I am grateful.
For I’ll tell it to you straight, my Mom is beautiful, funny, smart and incredibly loving.
She loves to be silly.
Just the sound of her voice on the phone makes me smile but she prefers it if she can make me laugh right off the bat.
She has stood by my wonderful Sister and I through good times and bad, the glamorous and the sad.
She showed us about simple love and it was she who taught me to find happiness in those hidden moments. That yes, the taste of cherry jam counts.
My Mom transferred her fondness for four-legged creatures to us with the instructions that they are to be welcomed as part of the family…
…and encouraged us to follow even our wildest childhood dreams.
To be true.
We did and do, she cheers.
I am proud to be a contributor to the amazing D.A. Wolf’s incredible “blog” (for it is far more than that, she delivers original, thought-provoking content seven days a week) Daily Plate of Crazy. When DA asked if I would like to participate in her series on Mother-Daughter relationships, I nearly shouted out a “Yes!” Oh, this meant so much for me to do. So if you enjoyed this introduction, I would be so very delighted if you would take a look at my post here:
Thank you again for asking me to write this DA, it was a reminder that the best gifts rarely come in boxes.
I love you, Mom!
For you…
PS. My Mom reminded me of a story that I had nearly forgotten from when I was in my 20s and a little Miss Manhattanite Hipster. I was with a group of girlfriends at a swank martini bar and a few rounds in the subject of Mothers came up. Well, as each girl told her story, the scenarios became increasingly fraught with tension and complexity. All the while I was sitting there thinking, “Oh my, I hope something happens to change the subject before it is my turn. I only have nice things to say!”
Wishing you all a week full of joy…
Thank you so much for this Silke. I love that you see my Mom's spirit in my work here–that just thrilled me. She is a true light shining bright. If I can pass along even a tiny bit of what she has shared with me, well, then that is a successful life, I think. And bravo to you for not listening to that dreaded phrase! C'est une vraie victoire…
Heather, this is just a beautiful tribute not just to your mom but to the relationship you have with her. Cherish your moments together. . .
Merry Christmas
Jackie xo
Dear Heather,
Your Mother is an amazing woman and I can see how very close you both are.
A lovely tribute to her!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
A very personal, even intimate yet highly inspiring tribute to a life-affirming person as you describe your mother.
Though it does not make sens but one automatically starts to compare and it sounds exactly like the mother I always imagined myself. But this would be highly unfair towards my own and what one can in fact learn from such a positive person like your mother is to appreciate one's own history and see all the good things within.
I admire your mothers authentic attitude towards ALL kinds of expectations coming either from the traditional or the so called emancipated side. It shows her strength that she chose what was good for her and her beloved ones.
How familiar certain things sound to me yet happening on the other side of the ocean because I was one of those who heard the phrase: " You are not good enough". But hey, even the disappointment about the parental lack of affirmation is good for something and I already knew it is not to judge for those who don't know.
Reading the essay about your mother is as much inspiring and fun as looking at your photography. Your mothers spirit (if I am allowed to say this) is in your work.
One of the things I sometimes do when I have the Blues and the day is grey (and there are several of those here in Germay) is browsing your blog since there are still a lot of posts I haven't read!
Each time I do this I am reminded that it is up to oneself to see the luck, to choose the luck and it is a form of art to keep the luck.
Thank you for sharing yours!
Oh you couldn't have given me a nicer compliment, Mumbai!
And memory is a tricky thing, isn't it? I have much that is lost too.
Oh Heather, these memories to your childhood and this part of your life with your mom influenced you
to be what you are…a sensible but also strong wonderful woman , writer and actor. (So far as I can assess it as a blog reader) . I would like to remember myself so many things which happened when I was young. But unfortunately the most of them are deleted and can't even find in my subconscious. Good or bad? I don't know.
Must look twice to recognize who is who. what a striking resemblance .
NK, it says a lot that we love to go to NOLA together! No obviously not to party but to eat and explore!
Thank you so much Edgar, I am sure that she will appreciate that!
What a lovely thing to say, Laura. Thank you!!!!
I know I am! And while it is not the same type of relationship, I happen to know of a wonderful Mom who is very two close with her two wonderful sons… 😉