Thanks for sharing Mark. We all have mothers with some of those qualities. How lucky for you that your mom is alive and well enough to visit your paradise. May it continue for many years.
Thanks Lisa, and I am thrilled to say mom loved the essay and wrote a nice note back to me: "You write about children never outgrowing the need of approval from their parents. That actually goes the other way, too. Parents need validation that they did the right things by their kids, that they didn’t screw them up too badly. When you wrote “I live my life freely because she made that possible,” that was approval and validation. Thank you. Love, Mom."
oh, she is so right, we do, us parents, need approval too. I know it gets "said" in lovely gestures, but it sure is nice to hear out loud once in a while.
I find it interesting how we are shaped by our parents’ experiences as they were shaped by theirs. And there is nothing we can change, except to recognize it as the natural progression of life and to move forward.
Family stories reveal so much about our own life perspectives.
You were fortunate to have an art appreciator as your mother and a childhood surrounded by beauty.
Really sweet piece, Mark. Sorry about your Dad. Hope your Mom is doing well. I still have some measuring spoons she sent me as a Thank You way back when, after your Paris visit. 😊
I do LOL. Even when alone and no one is with me to hear. When your mom commented shehad seen the beach from the car, my own laughter reminded me of my joy.
In a time of shallow posts, this was real, thoughtful and moving. We do walk on smoother paths because someone has leveled the rocky road.
I loved your article!!💕
Such an important reminder that the ease in our lives was made possible by our parents and ancestors.
Lovely story….and I really mean it
Thanks for sharing Mark. We all have mothers with some of those qualities. How lucky for you that your mom is alive and well enough to visit your paradise. May it continue for many years.
I'm from the Mann Muss club and this was such a lovely article. Thank you.
I speak art. Thank you!! I love the very current essay. Wish I could have met MOM. 🤓
My mother regularly used the word “Interesting “ , in a similar way to your mom’s use of “Lovely”
I read the feeling. Beautiful.
Thanks Lisa, and I am thrilled to say mom loved the essay and wrote a nice note back to me: "You write about children never outgrowing the need of approval from their parents. That actually goes the other way, too. Parents need validation that they did the right things by their kids, that they didn’t screw them up too badly. When you wrote “I live my life freely because she made that possible,” that was approval and validation. Thank you. Love, Mom."
oh, she is so right, we do, us parents, need approval too. I know it gets "said" in lovely gestures, but it sure is nice to hear out loud once in a while.
I find it interesting how we are shaped by our parents’ experiences as they were shaped by theirs. And there is nothing we can change, except to recognize it as the natural progression of life and to move forward.
Family stories reveal so much about our own life perspectives.
You were fortunate to have an art appreciator as your mother and a childhood surrounded by beauty.
Really sweet piece, Mark. Sorry about your Dad. Hope your Mom is doing well. I still have some measuring spoons she sent me as a Thank You way back when, after your Paris visit. 😊
I do LOL. Even when alone and no one is with me to hear. When your mom commented shehad seen the beach from the car, my own laughter reminded me of my joy.
I love her!!
Pleasant reading - just too long - could have benefitted from editing.