Tuesday, May 6, 2008

My mother never washed her hands...


...that was the belief I held until I was seven years old. My mother never washed her hands because my mother was not dirty. No way. She was a perfect supernatural being, on the same astral plane as the tooth fairy and Santa Claus. It was my neighbor, Margaret Veal, who shattered my cherished myth. Isn't there always a kid who serves as the Neighborhood Myth Shatterer?

Margaret was the kind of kid who loved to instruct the more sheltered among us in the ways of the world. She knew about Kotex and how babies are born (from their mother's navels, of course) and how to pronounce "deviled ham." She called it "d'villed." I found her rather sophisticated, but that afternoon, when she said, out of the blue, shifting the miniature pots on the stovetop of my Deluxe Dream Kitchen, "Now your mother has to wash her hands before she cooks supper because she could get germs on the bread," I flat out denied it.

"MY MOTHER DOES NOT WASH HER HANDS. MY MOTHER IS NOT DIRTY."

Later that evening, as I observed Mama placing pieces of flour-coated chicken into the hot oil of her electric skillet, I casually said, "Margaret is so stupid. She said you wash your hands before you cook supper."

"Well, San, of course I wash my hands before I cook supper."

Say it ain't so.

I grew up with a mother who poured her energies into raising my sisters and me, a mother who enjoyed mothering and passed on that legacy. Although she worked jobs in various locations in the years before I was born--in the catalog office of Montgomery Ward in Chicago, for example, then later, of all places, a chocolate factory in Georgia--she settled into life as that fairly common presence of the 50s and 60s, a stay-at-home mom. My sisters and I never rode the school bus. Mama picked us up. We never ate the disgusting cafeteria food. Mama packed a balanced, flavorful lunch for us. At home we seldom had any food from a can. Mama cooked garden-fresh green beans and cream corn in the summer and in the winter, we ate the corn and the peas she had "put up" (frozen) in the summer.

She was a "room mother" at school, which meant she provided coconut-embellished chocolate oatmeal drops for parties, and we got to eat the leftovers. At church she was elected to the office of congregational secretary, which meant we always had a stock of communion crackers in the bottom drawer of our mahogany china cabinet. That my mother was entrusted with the solemn duty of purchasing the symbolic body of Christ, by the case, from The Baptist Bookstore, I took as clear evidence of her supernatural status.

Yes, those crackers were off limits as snacks. And yet I recall stealing into the dining room, sliding open the drawer, rummaging around for an opened box, and peeling back the wax wrapper. As I nibbled on one (or two) communion wafers, I recited in my mind Proverbs 9:17. Stolen waters are sweet and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

Bennie and I are flying to Alabama tomorrow morning. Sunday will be the first Mother's Day I have spent with Mama in...well...I don't remember how long. I visited her last May, but that visit was timed to coincide with her cancer surgery and recovery. Actually, I may have arrived on Mother's Day, but I arrived at night, and on the eve of major surgery, so that doesn't quite count, does it? I would love to take my mother out to dinner on Sunday, for the entire family to gather around a big table and laugh over excellent barbecue, but that won't happen. Mama is severely disabled with arthritis now, and car trips, even short ones, are an ordeal for her.

It's disconcerting the way life has a way of circling back. The mother who helped me learn to walk now needs considerable help in getting around herself. Even so, that mother from way back when, who held me lightly, balancing my small upright body over my grandmother's lawn, who coaxed me to take my first steps, continues to wish me well and egg me on. And that young and beautiful vessel of energy who never washed her hands in her ever-so-lovely flawlessness? She lives forever within.

To this day, I cherish her. When I'm feeling unsuccessful or dirty or unloved, I only have to call on the Perfect Mother Within and I feel lovable and successful and very, very clean. I'm one of the fortunate ones: I had a mother who loved me so much I believed she was God. And in her way, she was. She taught me how to love, and in my book, that's worthy of worship. That's worthy of eating a little stolen bread in secret, savoring the taste of unconditional love.

Saturday I had the pleasure of bringing a new painting to the gallery, one I'd labored over, and selling it within a few hours. And Sunday I had the sublime satisfaction of reporting the incident with pride to Mama. She was just as excited as the day I brought home my first hideous homemade Christmas ornament assembled from Styrofoam and toothpicks. (It looked a little like a Sputnik.) I may have honed my technique a bit, but my mother's enthusiasm for all things made by her children never changes.




I love you Mama! I always will.

140 comments:

Daryl said...

Oh San, that is so beautiful it has inspired me to write my own memory of my mother. Thank you for sharing your love for her and her love for you. Mine passed several years ago but she and your's had one thing in common for sure: both encouraged their children and praised their creations which in turn made us who we are.

:-Daryl

Akelamalu said...

What a beautiful post! Your mother must be a very special lady to have given you so many wonderful memories and feelings of love. :)

San said...

Daryl, I look forward to reading what you write about your own beautiful mother.

San said...

Akelamalu, thank you! Yes, she's quite special and I can't wait to see her...

Sparkling Red said...

That is a moving tribute. :-)

I had a less-than-perfect relationship with my mother when I was young, but I couldn't doubt that she cared for me. She showed her love through food. Like your mother, she rarely allowed any canned or otherwise processed foods in my diet. Even when she was working full-time. Even when it meant that she got up extra early to cook me a hot breakfast every winter morning, and stayed up late at night to pack my lunch. Only now can I appreciate how much it must have cost her to do that every single day.

Happy Mother's Day to you and your lovely Mama!

Celebration of Life said...

Oh San, what a beautiful tribute to your Mother! Please have a wonderful trip visiting her and cherish the moments as they are too few!
Jo

lime said...

what an absolutely beautiful tribute. i don't mind telling you i absolutely howled with laughter to read about you stealing the communion wafers. you have been blessed indeed and you are a wise woman to recognize how deeply blessed you are. i wish both you and your mom a very special mother's day.

San said...

Red, your mom sounds fabulous! And it's almost a rite of passage for mothers and daughters to have a little falling out, now and again, especially during the teenage years. I didn't, but I was a late bloomer in that regard.

San said...

Thanks, Jo. Such times are precious. You know all about that.

San said...

Lime, I'm so pleased you howled!

And thanks for your beautiful wishes. They mean much to me.

Carol said...

From what I can tell by these photos, you look an awful lot like your mom. And I'm sure you're like her in many more ways than just your looks!

Thanks for introducing us to your sweet mother. I hope you bring along a copy of this beautiful post to share with her!

San said...

Carol, my mother actually has a computer now, although she seldom uses it. I'm hoping to show the post to her, but maybe I should print it too. Just in case.

murat11 said...

Wonderful story, San, although if Margaret Veal really knew how to pronounce deviled ham, she'd have had her little myth shattering mouth washed out with (your mother's) soap and water cuz that stuff was just pure D shit. Your hilarious debates with MV sounded right out of Ms Harper Lee, though I couldn't decide who was Scout and who was Dill. Toss up.

Bless you and your mother for the Mothers Within: indispensable: I know your own child-lits have the same purring inside of them.

"Purple Enigma" seems very iconic, evanescent though the lurking gods in its midst seem to be: eyes, hands, faces, bodies, in and out of reach. I really like the lower right corner, just to the right of the purple fluorite: seems like a Guadalupe Virgin ascending.

Peace/out, and have a grear trip.

whimsical brainpan said...

What a beautiful post San!

Have a safe trip and a wonderful visit with your Mother.

Andrea and Kim said...

San, now how come when I come to read your blog I end up in tears? ...moved to tears each time!

This is a beautiful post and an incredible tribute to your very special mother! Of course we have known you have a very special mother, because she has a very special daughter. I think I said here once before I have an Asian friend who always said she could tell the kind of mother a person has by the kind of person they are! There sure seems to be a great deal of truth to that!

By-the-way, I adore your painting and completely understand how it sold within hours! The composition is fabulous, but the colors are my favorite!

Have a BEAUTIFUL trip!

Thanks so much, San!

Katiejane said...

What a wonderful tribute to your mother. I can tell she is much loved. So nice that you have such lovely memories of your childhood. Happy Mother's Day, yourself, San.

SandyCarlson said...

That painting is the perfect antiphon to this adoring tribute!

I had my share of Myth Shatterers. How silly and naive they seem to me when I look back.

God bless you on your journey home.

San said...

Paschal, if I must choose one of those characters, I will be Dill. Dill grew up to be Truman Capote. I could be TC for a day. One of the good days, mind you.

Love what you say about my own children. That makes me purr.

You see Our Lady of Guadalupe ascending in the lower right corner? PUUURRR.

d smith kaich jones said...

What a beautiful story, a beautiful painting & a beautiful mom. My mother still hangs on her living room walls drawings I did in high school & HORRIBLE paintings I did in college. She loves them all - even the abstract ones. (I think I may hear a secret laugh by her now! LOL!) Have a wonderful, wonderful weekend.

San said...

Thanks, Whim!

San said...

Kim, if I'm moving you to tears every time, maybe I need to start telling a few jokes. :-D Seriously, I really appreciate your kind words.

And big THANK YOU for what you have to say about the painting. That means a lot to me, friend.

San said...

Katie Jane, thanks for visiting. And yes, I love your doll!

John-Michael said...

"Purple Enigma" is a wonder! There is no doubt as to why someone was waiting to make it a part of their life. So very moving a piece!

San, with Mozart doing his thing in the background, and your artistry in word and story image before me ... I am in a place that makes living blissful. You play the strings of my Being like Pearlman does his violin. And the 'music' that you create sooths and comforts all that is Me. I am grateful for Life's Gift of You to me.

I Love You entirely!

San said...

Sandy, I love your use of the word "antiphon" here. It carries weight and spiritual significance. I believe you're right. The Myth Shatterers aren't that powerful in the big picture.

And I appreciate your blessings for our journey.

San said...

Debi, you have quite a special mother yourself. Thank you!

San said...

John-Michael, what a sublime compliment you have paid me, friend!

Thank you, and much love...

~Babs said...

Wiping away the tears,,,,
of sadness for me, but of joy for you. Lost my Mom in January,,,and I'm happy that like you, I realized just how precious she was.
Sometimes people don't understand just how much a Mother's love means, until it's too late.
And that love lives on. Forever.
Enjoy your trip,,,,have lots of hugs!
Oh, and congrats that the painting sold so fast,,,,and that you can still dazzle your Mom with them!

San said...

Babs, I didn't know you'd lost your mom so recently. I'm really sorry about that but glad to learn she was precious to you. Still is.

And thanks much for your good words about my painting. Encouragement from an artist like you is so appreciated.

david mcmahon said...

It's Mother's Day here in Australia on Sunday, so this was a wonderful tribute, San.

You speak for us all.

And I really enjoyed gazing at Purple Enigma, too. Gotta visit your gallery one day ...

San said...

David, I didn't know your Australian holiday coincided with ours.

And thanks much for complimenting Purple Enigma. Yes, you HAVE to visit.

Indigo said...

Halo Incarnates

good to remember your mother. nice person. good to be loved. good to be remembered with love.

San said...

Indi, it is good to be remembered. And with love. Thank you.

Velvet Ginger said...

Beautiful story San, and a loving tribute. We really need to honor those that sacrificed for us daily.
I especially liked the part of the story where you snuck the communion wafers! lol cute!

Unknown said...

Beautiful, San. Thank you for sharing your memories.

San said...

Rubye Jean, I'm glad you enjoyed the moment of comic relief!

San said...

Thank you, Laura, for your return visit and kind words.

Rhea said...

What a wonderful tribute to your mama! She sounds like she really loved you and poured a lot of love and energy into you.

Congrats on selling your painting so quickly!

Ora said...

Hi San,
I've been forgetting to come here for your special stories.
If Dennis the Menace wasn't older than you, I'd think that his author had your Margaret in mind when he wrote about her. Did you ever notice the similarities?
I can remember thinking special things about my parents when I was young and how devastated I was when the truth was revealed to me.
What a lovely mind you have.
Like someone before me, I just love you, your Mom and whoever she learned to be the way she was from.
What a legacy you're leaving for your own children.

San said...

Rhea, thank you! Especially for the congratulations--I AM like a kid when it comes to selling my paintings.

San said...

Well, Dreamer, I'm so glad you remembered to check in today. You always have SUCH lovely things to say.

I'm smiling at your comparison of Dennis's Margaret with mine. I had thought the same thing! They didn't look alike, but their instructional approaches were very similar indeed. And now that I think of it, Margaret's older sister did look a little like Dennis's Margaret.

:-D

Gone Back South said...

Hello, she sounds adorable. I'll definitely be back to read more - GBS

Maggie May said...

That was a lovely account of a lovely Mum. I really did enjoy reading it. I am so glad that she did wash her hands as you might never have survived to tell the tale. BUT I did read that asthma might well be caused through being TOO clean. Also leukaemia.
Beautiful painting San! Love your blog.

Lee said...

Mothers are wonderful, aren't they San? That's a great story about you and yours. Moves me to think of writing one of my own for my Mom for Mother's Day. I'm not sure I ever thought my mother walked on water or was the perfectly clean and saintly character yours was, but I do remember her being my shield from all things mean and angry, including my father who had little tolerance for children's messes. So maybe she was a saint. Hmmm...Saint Lorraine, sounds good! :)

Hugs! and Safe travel!

indicaspecies said...

San,

Reading your beautiful post, I lovingly thought again of my wonderful mother, who also "poured her energies into raising" her many children and I have a million wondrous memories of her to cherish.

Mother's love is more precious than all the treasures in this world. You have paid a glowing tribute to your Mom. San, even through the present difficult times, I hope you get to spend good times with your sweet mom, and that you'd come back content with lots of good memories of those times.

p said...

i've been into a family memoir reading feast lately and i thought i was reading another book in this post!
(those communion wafers made me GAG and just reading about them brought up horrific memories of church, gagging and being forced by my mother to swallow them without vomiting)
congrats on the enigma, i can see the struggle ....makes it look like something is battling for power. interesting piece
enjoy your visit
p

Sandi McBride said...

So now I'm sitting here crying. Aren't all our mothers perfect? My Dad called Mama's birthday (May12th) St Grace's Day. Beautiful post, still crying...talk to you later
love
Sandi

Sandi McBride said...

I completely forgot to say congrats on making post of the day! Very deserving
hugs
Sandi

jsd said...

a beautiful testament of your love for your mother, it eminates and pulses much like the the purple within your painting did for me...my first thought when I saw it was that you had painted it for her, your heart and hers together but separate.

aims said...

Very eloquent San!

The communion wafers from a Baptist Bookstore popped my eyes wide open though. Having been raised Baptist I just don't recall any communion wafers.....but I could easily be wrong - or - maybe just our type of Baptist?

nancy said...

So beautiful. Congratulations on the post of the day at David's blog. Nancy

Anonymous said...

Beautiful. I have tears in my eyes.

Snooty Primadona said...

I just found your blog, thanks to David @ authorblog and I'm thrilled to have found you.

I had a mother that was the polar opposite of your's, so it was interesting to read about your mother. You were truly blessed to have such a wonderful person raise you. I grew up on yelling, fighting, and Spam.

I wish I'd been the one to buy that painting from your gallery. I love it!

Craver Vii said...

That was really sweet. My own memories of my mother should be penned, too. But I never thought of her as immaculate. On the contrary, she has a loud belch and is always doing or saying funny things... but oh, what a cook!

Colleen said...

San- This is a beautiful post and so well written. (David sent me.)

Whistle Britches said...

Beatifully written tribute to your mom. A real gem!

Ruth L.~ said...

Wonderfully reflective. And full of love.

Anonymous said...

Thank you San,
That was quite beautiful indeed. Timely too, with Mothers' Day coming up this Sunday.
(David Sent me here too)

::sja::

Sandi McBride said...

Okay, I'm over my crying spell and I came back in to tell you what a lovely painting it is, what a beautiful woman your mother is and to thank you for sharing
hugs
Sandi

Jennifer S said...

This tribute to your mother is such a moving, beautiful story.

You area blessed to have such a wonderful, and even more blessed because you know it.

The painting is gorgeous. Someday I will make it to your gallery.

Mima said...

San, what a beautiful painting, and the description of your Mum is wonderful, you are very clever to be able to put into words such lovely memories. I hope that you have a wonderful time with her when you visit.

RiverPoet said...

San, I'm so glad you have a mother like that. What a beautiful tribute to her (and to you!)

Peace and Happy Mother's Day - D

Heather said...

What an incredible story, and thank you for sharing. I felt this way about a woman in my life, it's was not my Mother I didn't know her but another special person, and I thank you for reminding me of her loving ways with me. Warm good happy feelings, have a great day!

Jameil said...

i love the purple in that picture!! love it!! i see why you sold it immediately! i love my mother immensely, too. i'll be with her this time next week!! YAY!!! I'm cracking up at you pilfering communion wafers while reciting Proverbs 9:17! hilarious. my mom's a preacher's kid so my grandmother actually made the communion wafers!! i know it's wrong to ask for the recipe but i want it!! one of the deaconnesses is my mom's best friend and she let us (me and one of my friends) eat some of the communion bread and drink some of the "wine" (cranberry juice) after 1st sunday once. lol. then told us not to tell anyone and shooed us away. HILARIOUS!!

sukipoet said...

Wow Lots of comments on this post. You touched a cord with your lovely story abt your mom. Well written. Love the photos too. She's sounds like a great lady. My mom also has arthritis which handicaps her movements.

Congrats on the painting. How wonderful to get such quick feedback on your work.

Anonymous said...

San,
(teary eyed) My Mom passed away 5 years ago at the end of May. Your post moved me deeply, and reminded me of the wonderful person my Mom was. Enjoy your visit with her.

Phyllis Hunt McGowan said...

"I had a mother who loved me so much I believed she was God."
Absolutely beautiful and moving. What a powerful piece of writing this is. Only an incredibly inspiring person could prompt this sort of tribute and only the most eloquent writer could achieve it :)
Wow.

B.T.Bear (esq.) said...

It was lovely to read about your Mamma. Please give her a hug from me!

My Mummy wasn't looked after very well when she was little. She was hit a lot. But she and Granny get on really well now.

Wen Mummy is down she gets lots of bad memories about when she was little, not nice ones like you have. But she does still have the bear that she had then. He's called Grunter and he growls out loud.

:@}

San said...

Hi GBS! I appreciate your visit and I look forward to your return.

San said...

Maggie May, I know what you mean. These days we're disinfecting outselves of the "good" microbes too. Thank you for complimenting my blog. That means a lot to me!

San said...

Lee, if you write a post about St. Lorraine, I will love to read it...hmmm...wonder what her quiche tastes like.

:-) Hug.

San said...

Celine, what lovely wishes you are sending my way--thank you!!

I'm at my mother's house right now. While she's resting, I'm getting back to the wonderful comments like yours. Tomorrow I will have to show all of them to you-know-who. And that will be fun. Like a giant Mother's Day card from the world. Come to think of it, maybe I should wait until Mother's Day to share it all...

San said...

Paula: Being forced to eat communion wafers--cruel, unusual. No wonder I first read "Purple Enema" when I read your comment.

Glad you see the conflict in the painting. It was a battle bringing it into being.

San said...

Hugs and love to you, Sandi. You're not the only one who said they cried at this post. For the record, I did too.

San said...

JS, I love the way you see the painting as our hearts together/separate. That is a beautiful vision!

San said...

AIMS, the communion wafer difference--could be generational or geographical or both. The picture I downloaded doesn't show the way the wafers in our church looked. They were square. Some day you and I will have to compare Baptist notes. It could be interesting.

San said...

Nancy, thank you for visiting! I hope you'll return...

San said...

Quilly, seems like we're all crying today.

San said...

Well, I feel honored indeed that a Snooy Primadonna such as yourself would have purchased my painting--thank you for such a sublime compliment and for the rest of your gracious comment.

I hope you will visit again.

San said...

Craver, your mom sounds fabulous!

Thanks for visiting, man. Come again.

San said...

Colleen, it's a pleasure to meet you. Thank you.

San said...

Uncle Joe, thank you for your gem of a comment.

San said...

Ruth, thank you and I look forward to a return visit from the lovely lady in yellow.

San said...

Dreamzmedia,I really like the sound of your moniker. Thank you for stopping by.

San said...

Sandi, I'm glad you're over your crying jag, but those crys are so cleansing to the soul, aren't they?

And I SO appreciate your compliment of my painting. HUG.

San said...

Jennifer--well put, as always.

I look forward to your visiting the gallery someday...

San said...

Mima, you always have such lovely things to say. I know it isn't Mother's Day where you are, but I know you have nice days with your mum too. That's something to treasure.

San said...

Peace and Happy Mother's Day to you too, Doris.

:-)

San said...

Heather, you've made an excellent point. Not everyone's Mother is their birth mother. But we all need the mothering.

San said...

Jameil, thank you for sharing your own adventures in communion. There must be a recipe online somewhere. ;-)

Purple! I LOVE IT TOO!

San said...

Suki, I hope your own mom has a great Mother's Day.

Yes, the immediate gratification factor in selling art is pretty cool. Were it the rule not the exception, well, I would be asking really high prices.

;-0

San said...

Thank you, Dar. I love it when you post pictures of your mom's garden--what a beautiful way to honor her spirit and memory--tending the living things she planted.

San said...

The Elementary, that is an amazing compliment you've paid me. Now I'm the one who's going to say wow. WOW.

Thank you much.

San said...

BT, your mum turned out so lovely despite her hard times as a child. Her spirit is so strong. And I'm glad she has the growling Gunter.

My mom and I appreciate your hug. So much.

Carolyn said...

What a lovely post about your mother. Gorgeous painting too... congrats on your Post of the Day from David!

Paula In Pinetop said...

I envy you.

San said...

Carolyn, I'm glad you enjoyed the post and like the painting too. Thank you!

San said...

Paula, they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I believe envy is a close second, so I thank you! :-D

Cath said...

San that is such a wonderful tribute to your mum. She sounds like an angel. I'm sorry it's took me a while to get over - I saw you got POTD (congrats!) but have been shattered these last few days and also relaxing in sunshine.

So I am now catching up on 3 yes THREE POTDs from david! (I will be here all night!)

Love Purple Enigma and I hope you have a great Mother's Day with your mum.

Unknown said...

Lovely, wonderful story, San. Thank you.

San said...

Cath, you've "been shattered"? That sounds ominous. I hope things are better now. Relaxing in the sunshine does sound good.

Thank you for taking the time to visit me. I always appreciate your encouragement.

San said...

Nick, thank you so much. I hope you and Alex are having a good weekend.

Patty said...

Purple Enigma....I love it! I can see why it sold so quickly. Thank you for sharing your memories of your childhood with us. A beautiful tribute to a lovely lady. Mine is no longer with me and I miss her every day.
Have a safe trip and enjoy your time with your Mother. I know you'll make it memorable for her and for you.
Happy Mother's Day!

San said...

Patty, Happy Mother's Day to you too! I hope you enjoy a day of relaxation and basking in the adoration of your offspring and theirs...

Celebration of Life said...

San: Happy to see you are still able to blog! I have lots of catching up to do with you over coffee. I bet your mother is enjoying your visit very much! Happy Mother's Day!
Jo

the mother of this lot said...

What a beautiful post San. I loved it!

Patty said...

San, I meant to ask....Did your Mama 'put up' peas and butter beans? Mine did and oh my, they were just as tasty in the winter as they were... fresh from the garden. I'm willing to bet that she did.

Preity Angel... said...

San, what a sweet memories..I love it..I feel like I can write something about my mother back home..now I am missing her...I love your beautiful pictures asusual....this is such a beautiful post San.
love always,

Lynn Cohen said...

What a wonderful tribute to your mother this is. I laughed and laughed, and I smiled and felt glad for you, as your mom is still here for you to enjoy and appreicate in person. Lucky You!
Have a WONDERFUL MOTHER'S DAY, and give her a little hug from me too please. She just absolutely sounds like someone I would love to hug.

Bruno LoGreco said...

Happy Mother's Day San!
I could feel the love you have for your mother and vice versa through your words. I'm at a lost for words.

Your painting is unbelievable and I could see how it would be sold within hours.

Do you have others?

San said...

Jo, I happen to be having my Mother's Day coffee this Sunday morning. My second cup. My first cup I had with Mama--I got the coffee gene from her.

Cheers, milady, and Happy Mother's Day to you too!

San said...

Mother of This Lot--Happy Mother's Day!

San said...

Patty, you would win the bet. Butter beans, crowder peas--you're right--when they were put up fresh, they tasted fresh in the middle of winter. YUM.

Happy Mother's Day!

San said...

Angel, thank you. I know you're missing your mother and I look forward to reading what you write about her.

LOVE.

San said...

Lynn, I do feel so lucky to be here with Mama on Mother's Day. Yesterday she read the post and every single comment and loved it!

And today I can show her more comments. Like I told someone else, it's like a giant Mother's Day card from the world.

San said...

Bruno, those are very sweet words for one who claims to be at a loss for words.

Thank you. And yes, I have more paintings and will be posting more later...

Preity Angel... said...

San Happy Mothers Day

Heather said...

Happy Mothers Day SAN! Love to you.

San said...

Angel, thank you! I hope you're having a beautiful day.

San said...

Love to you, Heather. I hope you're having a great day with your family.

david mcmahon said...

Hope you had a WONDERFUL Mother's Day, San.

Will be posting something I told you about - auto-posting in about 10 hours' time.

San said...

Yes, we had a great day, David. Thank you.

I look forward to reading your post.

Bruno LoGreco said...

I am looking forward to seeing some :)

Peter said...

Hi! A truly inspirational story tingled with sadness and one that we will all have to face one day, be it our parents or ourselves. I just pray that I will not be a burden to my children when my time comes. Take Care and Happy Mother's Day - Peter

San said...

Bruno, when I'm back home from my travels, I will email some images.

San said...

Peter, thank you. Yes, such issues are complicated and difficult, and I appreciate your comment.

jafabrit said...

Your post was beautiful.

Celebration of Life said...

Hi San! Are you home yet?

Meg Wolff said...

Hi San,
I'm out of the cloud (drugs from surgery)so now and I am finally reading your post. I love it and your Mom. I hope she gets to read it. Can she write like you?

After surgery when I was crying out from intense pain I called for my mother (she passed 10 years ago), the Virgin Mary and a friend and healer named Eileen.

Much later when the pain was under control my husband said, "I know who your trinity is".

Cath said...

Just popping by to say hello... Hope you are ok.

Jeanne said...

Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

San said...

JafaBrit, thanks! It's always good to see you.

San said...

Hey Jo!

Got home after midnight Wednesday. Yesterday worked all day catching up. Last night drove to Albuquerque for Flannery's Presidential Scholars banquet. Tomorrow is graduation day! (It'll be back to Albuquerque.) I can't quite believe graduation day is practically here.

San said...

Meg, thank you so much for taking post-op time to read the post! That is really special. Yes, Mama read the post and the comments and loved it all.

Your trinity sounds like a powerful one. You are in my prayers, lady.

San said...

Cath, thanks for the visit. We're back home and busy at work and attending our daughter's graduation events. Never a dull moment.

:-)

San said...

Jeanne, thank you for reading the post. I appreciate it!

indicaspecies said...

San,

Good to have you back, excellent to know your Mom got a chance to know how much love and care, and wonderful to hear about your daughter's graduation.

Congratulations San, and have a great time.:)

Flannery said...

I love you, Mama! And I always will.

This is incredible.

Tammie Lee said...

Amazing story. I love your portrayal of you mother to the young you, and the you now. Lovely.
Your painting is wonderful!
Thank you for visiting my blog.

San said...

Flannery,

Ditto, my darling. Ditto.

San said...

Tammie Lee, thank you for your kind words. Please visit again.