The Pyrenees---Southern France

The Pyrenees---Southern France

Thursday, May 7, 2015

Happy Mother's Day (Early)

          If you're interested in reading what I was like as a kid, check out my story in the May issue of Sasee. I was a wild child for most of my teenaged years. Luckily, my parents didn't give up on me (and give me away). "The Blessings of Being Chosen" pays homage to my mother.

       Also, Cathy C. Hall has a story there in Sasee as well. It's a sweet story. It's a story that most girls can identify with, and what happens in the last quarter of the story is what many girls would hope for. 

       And if there is a Listen to Your Mother show in your hometown/city, it's probably this Saturday. I would highly recommend it. I will be in the audience at the St. Louis show on Saturday afternoon. Our school librarian, Dr. Jenny Gray, is one of the performers. She came last year, heard me perform, and with just a tad of encouragement, submitted, auditioned and was accepted for this year's show. I'm really excited for her. She's had a blast (just like I knew she would).


This is a picture of my birth mother (Imogene) and my half-sister.
Note Imogene's forehead that goes on for miles and miles.
Sometimes DNA plays cruel jokes on us...


This is a picture of my mom. She was a stay-at-home mother
for most of my years growing up. My brother and I had stuff like homemade frosting smeared
onto graham crackers as an after school snack. Is it any wonder I now have a butt
as wide as a semi-tractor trailer truck?


               If you're lucky enough to have your mother still with you, have a great day on Sunday. And if you're like me---and you've lost your mother---fill your day with the family you do have. (I'll be traveling to Kirksville with my daughter and granddaughter to see my son. It's going to be a full, fun-filled day.)

            And if you want to have a good cry, if you want to be moved, if you want to read a poignant piece so you can be transported to a time in your past, read Lisa Ricard Claro's story about her mother. I didn't plan on tears welling up at five something in the morning, but Lisa took me there.

            What is one of your most favorite "mom" memories? And if you weren't close to your mom, how about a wonderful grandma memory?

18 comments:

  1. What lovely pictures! I hope you enjoy your Mother's Day with your children! I know that you will enjoy LTYM, as well. Congrats to your co-worker for making the show!

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    1. NoExcuses--Thanks. I hope you have a wonderful Sunday as well. (And the LTYM show was great.)

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  2. My mother is 98, and only stopped ripping me when she lost her marbles about three years ago. Now she's nice. Too late.

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    1. Shay--I guess ignorance is bliss (for you). All those lost years--it's your mother's loss...

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  3. How beautiful these two women are...amazing they look similar to me. I understand the wide butt issue. Enjoy your trip to Kirksville on Sunday.

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    1. Claudia--They DO look alike in some ways. I think the similar hairstyle helps.

      I am sure we will have fun. Have a wonderful Sunday, Claudia. Hopefully the rain will hold off so you can enjoy the things that are blossoming.

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  4. Bookie, I thought they looked very much alike too. They are both lovely. Sioux, you are so lucky to have a picture of your birth mom. I have nothing but a name. She told the PI who tracked her down that she didn't give up a baby in October 1963. It's okay - I get it. My "real" mom was much like her mom, beautiful, refined, smart, kind, and she always looked "just so". She chose wrong when she chose me. haha! I lost her on Mother's Day 2012, so I'll be spending the day with Ed's mom. I hope you enjoy your day with your kids and granddaughter!

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  5. Thanks for sharing the photos. I hope you have a wonderful time on Sunday.

    It's only been three months this week since I lost my mom, so I've been a bit melancholy lately. I have so many wonderful memories that I can't single one out. The good thing is, I wrote about her quite a bit on my blog. It's great to go back and read them and laugh at her antics that made perfect sense to her, but not to the rest of the world.

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    1. Val--Have some slaw today. And laugh. I was lucky enough to meet your mom once, and she left a lasting impression. She was a delightful lady.

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  6. Loved your story in Sasee, Sioux, and thanks for the kind words and shout-out for mine as well!

    The Junior Halls will be here on Sunday to do...stuff. I really hope that includes fixing a meal.

    (Happy Mom's Day, Sioux!)

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  7. Hi Sioux - I loved your story in Sasee (read it and commented the other day), and Cathy's too. I miss my mother so much, especially now with so much going on in my life (and my kids' lives) that I know she would have loved to be part of (and my dad, too). I've always been glad that I had the opportunity to tell her I was sorry for that event in my teen years, even though she didn't remember it. I certainly remembered it, and was happy to clear my conscience.

    Thanks for linking to my post. :)

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    1. Lisa--Thanks, and you're welcome. Your story was so moving. I'm glad you shared it right before Mother's Day.

      Have a great holiday, and enjoy whatever you do today.

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  8. I do see a resemblance between both of your moms. I feel my mom's presence when I least expect it. happy Mother's Day!

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    1. Linda--I know what you mean. My mom comes back for a moment at unexpected times.

      I hope today was a great day for you...

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  9. Great pictures! At first I thought the little girl was you. ;) When my grandmother reached 100, she had to have someone sit with her on weekends when her caretaker went out. For the first time, we began having real conversations rather than exchanges that centered around what she could do for me. I got to know her as a person and fell in love with her all over again. Quite a gift. Happy Mother's Day!

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    1. Tammy--What a wonderful gift--getting to know your grandmother as a woman.

      I hope you and your daughter had a great weekend together.

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  10. Blogger is being bad to me. I'll try again. I read your story and loved it. Hope you had a fabulous Mother's Day!

    Pat
    Critter Alley

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    1. Pat--Thanks for being so persistent. Blogger DOES act up sometimes.

      I did have a wonderful Mother's Day. How about you (other than being hacked)?

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Thanks for your comments. I appreciate you taking the time to stop by...