Saturday, May 7, 2016

Celebrating Stories


         Every Saturday (or Sunday) I celebrate with Ruth Ayres at Discover Play Build.  and link with others who share their celebrations, too. Ruth has made it a wonderful weekend of celebrating parts of our week. 

"Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children." C.R. Swindol

        Like Ruth today, I've struggled with my celebration. There are many, but I have already celebrated books (it was a great week of new books, for me and for the grand-girls), the bookstore (I've worked 3 times this week, time taken, but it was a pleasure), and nature (snow is gone; spring seems to have arrived-finally-with flowers and tree leaves popping out all over). And I am grateful for these parts of my life. 
        However today, I've decided to celebrate story, the stories of all those mothers in my life. Each one has a story to celebrate, hardships and challenges overcome, children brought up to be good people that have been or are good citizens in our world. 



         Here is an old picture of baby me and my mother. It seems she must be the first story because she was widowed at the age of twenty-three because my father was killed in combat during World War II. She went back to school, became a teacher, re-married and gave me a wonderful step-father and brother, among many wonderful growing-up years, and a friendship until she passed. I still miss her.



        Here are other mothers in my life with marvelous stories that intersect with mine, and have brought joy into my life:
          
         Grandmother Sarah Coleman
         Grandmother Rosa Sue Jones
         Grandmother Olga Johnson
         Aunt Barbara Rohlfing
         Aunt Carol Caton
         Mother-in-law Helen Baie
         Sister-in-Law Glenna Johnson
         Sister-in-Law Kay Bodenhamer
         daughter Sarah Baie
         daughter-in-law Barbara Baie
         
                           Happy Mother's Day to all!

22 comments:

  1. That picture is beautiful! What a blessing to have so many mothers in your life. Happy Mother's Day, Linda!

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    1. Thank you, Ramona. I know you've already celebrated, but have a wonderful day tomorrow, too!

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  2. Mother's Day is so bittersweet with these wonderful memories along with the sadness of loss. You were blessed to have such a resilient and special mother.

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    1. Yes, and to have so many others in my life, too.

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  3. Thank you for sharing this and the picture! I loved this little snapshot of your life as a celebration!

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  4. What a tribute to all the mothers in your life. Especially your own beautiful mother. You make me think of all the moms in mine. We get mothering from so many sources.

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    1. You're right, we do get that mothering from others too, Julieanne. I only included family, but there are others, too, friends, teachers, and on.

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  5. Love this picture, Linda. You've touched on the beautiful link between the people we love and the stories we hold in our hearts. Such a wonderful tribute to the mothers and stories in your life.

    Cathy

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    1. Thanks, Cathy. I am grateful for the special people in my life.

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  6. What a lovely picture and she is your first story. She endured a lot at a young age and kept going for the both of you. Enjoy your memories and Mother's Day.

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  7. What a wonderful tribute to many special people. You are a role model mother!

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  8. What a beauty your mother was inside and out. Someday you should share her story on Feminist Friday column. Happy Mother's Day.

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    1. Thanks, Bernadette. I'll check it out! Happy Mother's Day to you as well!

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  9. Aw, what a lovely celebration. The picture of you and your mother is so sweet and I'm sure a cherished keepsake that you have. But your words are wonderful too. :)

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    1. Thanks, Jen, I do like that photo! Hope you've had a wonderful Mother's Day!

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  10. What a beautiful story of life and love. I loved the photo, but also the picture you shared with your words.

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    1. Thanks, Crystal. I hope you had a nice Mother's Day.

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  11. Hurrah for the stories that have filled your life. The photo of you and your mother is lovely, Linda. Your mother's story is one of perseverance during wartime. She must have been a very strong lady.

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