I hold that a strongly marked personality can influence descendants for generations.
– Beatrix Potter
My Best “Family Friend”
She was born into what could very easily be called a tribe. She was the fourth of eleven children—as an only child I can only imagine what kind of mayhem she endured. I do think she got her nurturing skills by being assigned care for the smaller children born after her.
Those who knew her well and related stories to me have classified her as a spitfire, beautiful, smart and sly, a very caring individual, a person with good common sense and a great cook. So you can easily see how I always wanted to emulate her. As the stories grew they seemed to reflect someone who was a magical cross between Mother Teresa and Scarlett O’Hara.
I had many, many opportunities to be around her and always made it my business to study her ways, her work ethic, her modus operandi as she navigated life. From her I guess I copied a little of the backbone I do have today, tried to emulate her cooking and never let an opportunity pass me by to notice how she handled herself.
I even had a crush on her husband at one time. He was tall and handsome and I think she chose well when she married him. But I do know it was meant to be as from what I have heard he was totally smitten with her from the very first time he saw her. Their marriage lasted over 50 years—52 years as I recall.
Once I was married and had my daughter she always volunteered to take care of her and when she had babysitting duty I knew my child was in the best of hands.
So you can see she was my friend for sure, my confidante many times, an example always, and she even managed to be a funny person who never let life get her down.
Of course I was bereft when she died as I felt a real presence pass from my life, one of the dearest souls I knew.
You know, if she had lived until today, she would be 101 years old on this very day! So HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOTHER!! I still love you with all my heart, think of you so much and thank God for the wonderful mother He sent me.
“A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.”
― Washington Irving