To All My Mothers and Other Friends

 

            In this life, I’ve had many mothers, relatives, in-laws, friends and their mothers, mentors and teachers unbeknownst to whom I owe great debts for being part of who I have become and aspire to be.  I am a montage of their strength and tenderness, boldness and meekness, humorousness and seriousness, faith and doubt, order and chaos.

            Besides giving me a home during my grade school years, my dear Aunt Mary, you planted unconditional love and “Golden Rule” living into my inner garden.  Jenny, my adopted grandmother, you patiently listened to my extended after school chatterings, shared your own stories, and sang old tunes with me.  Connie, mother of my long-time best friend Sharon, I felt like one of your own daughters.  I admired and wished for your homemaking skills and am thankful you fostered my faith.  Gladys, my stepmother, you helped me through teen romance break-ups and encouraged my independence.   Priscilla, good friend Char’s mother, your upbeat attitude, readiness to help others and openness to the new and different continues to inspire me.  Mildred, whom I knew first as mother of friend Florene, it’s been a blessing to be your sister-in-law and friend.  Your hospitality is legendary as is your resilience through times of turbulence and natural, genuine sincerity.  

            And it goes out saying that I miss my own Mom,--our visits at my home or hers, our phone calls,  catching up and remembering times together.  She’s the part of me that gets things done, shops the sales, stays active, interested and likes the tried with a splash of a new recipe too.   When I vacation in Montana now, I stop In Helena at the Parrot.  It’s like I can still be with her by sitting in the booth and remembering being there with her for a chocolate coke and some candy.