Hundreds of us you will never meet are grieving for you right now. In many respects, you have opened your life to us, and also shared your talents with us, and now we share your grief. May your mother’s memory be a constant blessing. Know that you were a very good daughter.
Oh Laura, I am so sad for you. Your mom was extraordinary. But you know that. You have so beautifully described her life, with all its kinks & highlights, she'd be proud. Our moms' voices never leave us. You'll hear her tell you the hairdryer instructions again, or wear a sweater b/c it's chilly out. Sometime you'll be standing still & you'll hear the echo of her laugh, so near that you'll turn around, expecting to see her. Your mom IS worthy of a novel, but her life & legacy is already enough.
Laura, this is such an impossibly beautiful essay, and thank you for it. I offer my condolences to you on the death of your mother, and what a life! ❤️
This is such a wonderful remembrance of your mom. Smart assery makes for a wonderful family dynamic. I'm so glad you had such a conscious relationship with your mom - by that I mean you knew the "stuff" or learned it and kept going. My mom died a week before I turned 30, and about a year before that I had made amends to her for being a wild teenager. Her response to was to tell me "I hope you have kids someday" - but not in a best wishes kind of way, more like a curse, but a curse that shows a life lesson as opposed to lifelong suffering (tbd). I met my husband at 40, and he had 2 teens. Boom! Curse enacted. Moms are powerful beings.
Laura, first I’m sorry for your loss. Sending my love to you and your daughter. May your mother’s memory continue to be a blessing. There is so much in this essay that resonates with me and my relationship with my mother, who has had a long slow decline. Our moms are of the same generation, and I see a lot of similarities to my mom in your description of yours - especially your description of her wanting to make sure everyone was taken care of. My mom has spent her life surrounded by smart asses (luckily my dad was also extremely kind, in addition to being snarky). My cranky moments are more frequent with her and I’ll think about this essay and take a pause next time I’m feeling a cranky impulse. And I will think about your mother as I work through my own stack of 100 postcards to Georgia voters that I need to finish and send in the next two weeks.
Very sorry to read that your mum has died, Laura. What a wonderful way to pay tribute to her, sharing this vivid portrait of her, both words and pictures. I like your openness about how the ‘relationship was defined largely by reticence, an unspoken agreement about what topics to avoid.´ I feel sure, however reticent she was, she’d be proud of you sharing this fine writing, though.
WOW, reading this brought me to tears—- how elegant and gracefully you shared the memory of your mother—- what a blessing she was in your life no matter how complicated your relationship may have been—thank you for sharing. i’m certain there will be a memoir to follow❌⭕️❌⭕️
This was a terrific tribute to your mother. She really came to life in this essay, and it sounds like she was an amazing woman.
My mom died in 2007 (at the too-young age of 53--fuck cancer), and even now, 17 years later, I don't think I could attempt to write something like this without bawling at my keyboard and calling the whole thing off.
Sending you so much love as you navigate this tremendous loss. Your tribute to her, your perception of her, and your relationship is lovely and endearing. I will be happy to continue to root for the O’s in her honor and vote for Alsobrooks and Harris. 💙
What a beautiful tribute to your mother. I am so very sorry. When my mother was 97, and living independently nearby, my sister and I started diluting her little pony bottles of suter chardanay-half water, half wine, because she had started mixing up happy hour dinner for lunch. she told me the wine didnt taste right, and i told her her tastebuds were too old to tell the difference. her response-well. i can taste lasagna just fine. what a treasure for you to have her for so long living her own life-sending you much love.
What a beautiful tribute to your mom. My heart goes out to you. To do: Make cheddar biscuits, wrap in tin foil, freeze. A steel magnolia fell and you helped me hear it. Hugs to you, Laura.
Hundreds of us you will never meet are grieving for you right now. In many respects, you have opened your life to us, and also shared your talents with us, and now we share your grief. May your mother’s memory be a constant blessing. Know that you were a very good daughter.
Oh Laura, I am so sad for you. Your mom was extraordinary. But you know that. You have so beautifully described her life, with all its kinks & highlights, she'd be proud. Our moms' voices never leave us. You'll hear her tell you the hairdryer instructions again, or wear a sweater b/c it's chilly out. Sometime you'll be standing still & you'll hear the echo of her laugh, so near that you'll turn around, expecting to see her. Your mom IS worthy of a novel, but her life & legacy is already enough.
Laura, this is such an impossibly beautiful essay, and thank you for it. I offer my condolences to you on the death of your mother, and what a life! ❤️
Your praise means the world to me, Benjamin. But I also know you know what this is like.
I think that you and I have tried to do the same thing: extend the lives of our mothers by telling their stories.
(I think you just did a great job.)
I’m so sorry to hear about your mom’s sudden passing. Your tribute was lovely. 🧡 ⚾️🖤 💙🗳️
This is such a wonderful remembrance of your mom. Smart assery makes for a wonderful family dynamic. I'm so glad you had such a conscious relationship with your mom - by that I mean you knew the "stuff" or learned it and kept going. My mom died a week before I turned 30, and about a year before that I had made amends to her for being a wild teenager. Her response to was to tell me "I hope you have kids someday" - but not in a best wishes kind of way, more like a curse, but a curse that shows a life lesson as opposed to lifelong suffering (tbd). I met my husband at 40, and he had 2 teens. Boom! Curse enacted. Moms are powerful beings.
Laura, first I’m sorry for your loss. Sending my love to you and your daughter. May your mother’s memory continue to be a blessing. There is so much in this essay that resonates with me and my relationship with my mother, who has had a long slow decline. Our moms are of the same generation, and I see a lot of similarities to my mom in your description of yours - especially your description of her wanting to make sure everyone was taken care of. My mom has spent her life surrounded by smart asses (luckily my dad was also extremely kind, in addition to being snarky). My cranky moments are more frequent with her and I’ll think about this essay and take a pause next time I’m feeling a cranky impulse. And I will think about your mother as I work through my own stack of 100 postcards to Georgia voters that I need to finish and send in the next two weeks.
Very sorry for your loss, rooting for the O’s and making a donation to Harris for President. Thank you for sharing your love of your Mom with us.
Very sorry to read that your mum has died, Laura. What a wonderful way to pay tribute to her, sharing this vivid portrait of her, both words and pictures. I like your openness about how the ‘relationship was defined largely by reticence, an unspoken agreement about what topics to avoid.´ I feel sure, however reticent she was, she’d be proud of you sharing this fine writing, though.
Oh Laura, your post is so full of love. I hope you'll write more about your mother. xo
May her memory be a blessing. Sending love.
-that redhead from…
WOW, reading this brought me to tears—- how elegant and gracefully you shared the memory of your mother—- what a blessing she was in your life no matter how complicated your relationship may have been—thank you for sharing. i’m certain there will be a memoir to follow❌⭕️❌⭕️
Condolences for your loss.
This was a terrific tribute to your mother. She really came to life in this essay, and it sounds like she was an amazing woman.
My mom died in 2007 (at the too-young age of 53--fuck cancer), and even now, 17 years later, I don't think I could attempt to write something like this without bawling at my keyboard and calling the whole thing off.
Very sorry for your loss, Laura. Sending you all of my love.
Sending you so much love as you navigate this tremendous loss. Your tribute to her, your perception of her, and your relationship is lovely and endearing. I will be happy to continue to root for the O’s in her honor and vote for Alsobrooks and Harris. 💙
What a beautiful tribute to your mother. I am so very sorry. When my mother was 97, and living independently nearby, my sister and I started diluting her little pony bottles of suter chardanay-half water, half wine, because she had started mixing up happy hour dinner for lunch. she told me the wine didnt taste right, and i told her her tastebuds were too old to tell the difference. her response-well. i can taste lasagna just fine. what a treasure for you to have her for so long living her own life-sending you much love.
What a beautiful tribute to your mom. My heart goes out to you. To do: Make cheddar biscuits, wrap in tin foil, freeze. A steel magnolia fell and you helped me hear it. Hugs to you, Laura.