I've been going through old files, scrapbooks, dusty boxes and anything else that might have family memorabilia in it for my genealogy project and I came across this poem.
OK. It's not art. It won't win any poetry prizes.
But I'm pretty sure my mom loved it.
We learn a lot of things from our moms and from mine I developed a love of all things creative -- art, theatre, music, crafty things; I learned to love cooking and improvising in the kitchen; I learned laughter and joy, love of family, the lake and the importance of friendships. She stressed how important it was to give back to your community, to others. I hope I also learned how to die. We'll find out someday -- hopefully not soon. Courage, strength, humor, love, grace under pressure.
Or, to paraphrase Joni Mitchell, "You don't know what you got till it's gone."
To all you moms out there, young and old, Happy Mother's Day. What you do matters.
This is just beautiful. A sweet tribute and I loved the photos. You made me think of what I learned from my mother, and I think I may have something for a post tomorrow. Bless you. Keep those memories close to your heart.
ReplyDeleteJane
'Violets' is a sweet , little poem, and your post - a fine, moving tribute to your beautiful Mom!
ReplyDeleteLOvely tribute to your Mom! Have a wonderful day, hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteA beautiful tribute to your Mom Jeanie.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful day.
And then there are those of us who grew up without moms, some of us spending time in foster homes, some even in those old institutions called orphanages.........we did okay too. Mothers are revered beyond all reasoning by some, simply because they are mothers. Some mothers are good people and some are not. I know of one mother who has had her children removed twice because of lack of care and cruelty. I hate to be curmudgeonly on this day, but all this syrupy sentiment gets a little cloying to tell you the truth. The marketers and some aspects of society have done a great job in creating a festival out of nothing.
ReplyDeleteJeanie, What a beautiful tribute. I do try to remind myself to cherish my mom. We can't imagine what it will be like when our mothers aren't around.
ReplyDeleteHello, wonderful post and photos of you and your Mom. Happy Mother's Day to you! Enjoy your day and new week ahead!
ReplyDeleteJeanie, what a beautiful tribute to your Mom! My Mother passed away eleven years ago and when I went to buy cards last week, all of a sudden the waves crashed in on me and I started crying in Hobby Lobby. We were blessed to have the best Mom!💕
ReplyDeleteYour Mom must've been a creative genius because you sure display the trait so well in what you did as a career and what you do now in your retirement, Jeanie. Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers who've made us who and what we are!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Jeanie. Touching and tender...how I miss mine too. Hope your day is filled with sweet memories.
ReplyDeleteA thoughtful and touching memory and tribute to your mother on Mother's Day.
ReplyDeleteShe looks and sounds like a delightful woman - as I was sure your mother would have been!
And I am enchanted by your poem ... what a wonder to have it still around. Heh heh - my mother didn't even keep the classroom Christmas tree ornaments we made past dinner time! LOL
Happy Mother's Day to you!
Just from looking at the pictures, I see a lot of your mom in you, Jeanie! How wonderful that you have sweet memories of her. -Jenn
ReplyDeleteI still miss my mom and she died in the early '80s. I love your little poem. It shows your early talent for writing and your mom's appreciation, that it got kept all these years.
ReplyDeleteTo David above: I wish your childhood could have been different. Had it included a loving mom you might understand better that Mother's Day would not be "a festival out of nothing" if those of us who have or had great moms didn't want to honor that relationship. For us it's a warm embrace to remember. You don't have that and it's a darn shame.
Big hugs, Jeanie. It sounds like your mom was a very special, loving woman.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures and words.
ReplyDeleteMy Mom is gone now six and a half years and slowly I stop thinking of her calls on Wednesdays. Reality sets in, but often I feel the need to ask her something. Especially since the rest of the family is mentally away.
:-) My Mom had such a pearl necklace, too. I cannot remember with me, but when she had my Brother in her arms the necklace was put away for a reason!
We never stop missing our Mothers no matter how long they've been gone, they'll always be a part of us.
ReplyDeleteHello sweet Jeanie!!!! Our mothers ARE always with us, aren't they! Your mum looked as sweet and caring as mine. Happy day!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteHAPPY MOTHER'S DAY dear friend. Your mother is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAn absolutely stunning and wonderful tribute to your mother. I hope it was a day of joy, not one of sorrow for you, dear. BTW, you and your mother look a lot alike.
ReplyDeleteJeanie, thank you for this post. It is so beautiful. You look so much like your mom. Two pretty ladies. I'm sure I could sign my name to your card as our stories are very similar. How long is long? Time goes by and we cope, but there will always be that hole in our hearts. I miss my son on days like this too, but am forever thankful for my daughter and her loving family..Happy Mother's Day sweet friend..xxoJudy
ReplyDeleteI think your poem shows a precocious talent, I really do! And yes, you were very lucky to have such a mother (who, I can see, had great taste: a Vermeer print in the LR and that was way before any one knew any thing about Vermeer -- your mother must have had great faith in her own connoisseurship).
ReplyDeleteI know what David is talking about. I have a living mother and she is so destructive... and Jean R., your words are very wise and kind and I hope David reads it and takes some comfort.
♥ You don't know what you've got till it's gone..
ReplyDeleteI knew I knew..I just did not ever in my wildest thoughts think it could happen when I was 19:(
I love your poem..I love your pics..You're a nana now Jeannie♥
Happy Day to you!!
Beautiful post friend. Your mom was lovely both inside and out. What wonderful things she taught you.
ReplyDeleteHappy Mother's Day, Jeanie. I was blessed to have a wonderful mother, and although she's not with me any more on earth, she is in my heart every day, always. What a sweet picture of you grabbing at your Mother's pearls. That is definitely a keeper.
ReplyDeleteYour mother raised a very special daughter. : )
I hope you have a beautiful day, Jeanie.
~Sheri
A loving and lovely tribute to your mom.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute to your mother, Jeanie. You were lucky to have a wonderful mom. I do believe that is the way God intended it-but it doesn't always happen. I love all the pictures of your mom.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a great Mother's Day afternoon/evening. xo Diana
I love seeing the photos of your Mom, and I am sorry to hear you lost your Mom so early. I think that must be very hard and hard to get past too because you didn't have her for so many years. You are quite the poet too. It may not be the poem of century but I think it is pretty good considering how old you must have been when you wrote it. Hope you had a happy day, not too sad of one. Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute to your mother, Jeanie! I loved getting to know her a little through this post (and the great pictures!) and delighted in seeing a a glimpse of resemblance between the two of you -- perhaps the eyes or the smile? Or simply the loving spirit. I share your ambivalence about Mother's Day -- it causes me to grieve for my mother -- gone for 38 years -- and over my childlessness and the casual way people wish one a "Happy Mother's Day." But a friend told me yesterday "But you ARE a mother -- to four lovely cats!" and when I read your post, I remembered that the day is really all about celebration, about what was as well as what is. Thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that you lost her much too soon. :: hugs ::
ReplyDeleteLove.
ReplyDeleteIt's all wonderful, but that first picture and the poem are special treasurers.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jeanie! Your mom sounds extra special. Love that you wrote your mom a poem. I am sure she loved it.
ReplyDeleteHow SWEET and cute is your Mom, Jeanie! And how sweet this ode to her, and all Moms... ((BIG HUGS))
ReplyDeleteA wonderful tribute. And it is difficult when you've lost one. Mine died some years ago a few days before Mother's Day.
ReplyDeleteI love your adorable poem...and I know, without a doubt, that your mom did, too....xoxo
ReplyDeleteBeautiful,post Jeanie . . .
ReplyDeleteLoved your “verse find” in amongst the genealogy things you are sorting through . . .
I am sure your mom loved it . . .
I miss my mom more each day . . .
Oh my, the things I learned from her . . .
It all becomes so clear . . .
What a beautiful reflection on a wonderful woman. I hate that you lost your mom at such a young age. Life is just not fair. She definitely left her mark on you, though. I’m sure she would be so proud of the person you have become.
ReplyDeleteMother’s Day is such a tough holiday for many. I think of those who have lost a mom or are struggling with infertility and my heart really goes out to them.