I will often be writing about my mom.  I am trying to find the words to make readers understand the caliper of person she was.  Please be patient.

My mom....

I have mentioned my mother in a previous blog.  My mom was truly the most passive person I have ever known.  My parents divorced when I was young, so my mom raised 4 kids on her own.  She was tired every day.  She worked hard to provide for us.  I am not implying that my dad did not support us, he did.  As with any family there are always things needed. 

Truth be told, looking back there is no doubt in my mind that she was depressed for a large part of her life.  Sad to realize that so late in life.   My mom worked, came home, spent time with us kids.  Spent time with friends.  She spent time with her parents and her sisters. 

Because she worked, us kids were responsible for house work, yard work, and cooking.  I really don’t remember a chore list or even a conversation with a breakdown of tasks.  Somehow, we just knew that we were going to have to help.  We did.  We didn’t complain.  I can honestly say that cooking was a good thing not to have my mom do.  She was never a gourmet cook for sure.  I am not saying she didn’t have the capability to cook.  She just didn’t take the time to cook. 

There is 6 years between me and my oldest brother.  I remember with every graduation I felt a responsibility for my mom.  I also felt a guilt.  I was the youngest.  I was going to be the last to leave.  When I left……….my mom was alone.  I hated that reality. I hated thinking that I was going to move out and my mom was going to just be there. 

In time, I was married, had a child and was living on my own.  My mom’s life was very ok.  She spent a lot of time with my grandparents and then grandmother after her dad died.  She spent time with her sister’s and us kids.  My grandmother and her would go to this little auction every Friday evening.  Occasionally, I would show up with 1,2, or 3 of my kids.  The auction always had a full cast of characters.  Many things auctioned were identified as “A honey for your money”!  That may have been “auction talk”.  My kids and I ran with it though.   

My mom always made time for her kids and grandkids.  My mom was masterful at soothing kids and humming them to sleep.  She would hum the same tune; the same tune that I’m sure she hummed to her kids as well as her grandkids and then great grandkids.  I never recognized it as an actual song.  In my mind it was just the tune she hummed for 60+ years.

Mom always made the best of the situation.  She enjoyed life and everything that was important. My mom was never domineering or demanding.  She was mild and calming. She was simply a good lady.