Ninety-three years ago today, my Mama was born. They named her Mary (I'm suspecting, after the nursery rhyme "Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary"). I didn't know her then, but I bet she was a contrary baby, as she was most certainly a contrary adult. But she was also very intelligent, talented, and colorful--as well as beautiful.
Mama taught my sisters and me much--if not actively, at least by association. She was an avid reader; my sisters and I are voracious readers as well. Mama was a very talented quilter and needleworker. My sisters and I quilt, crochet, knit, make clothes, and do a little bit of everything that involves needle and/or thread/yarn. Mama was not too interested in housework and cooking, but she did a tolerable job at each. But she had a green thumb--in fact, I think all ten of her fingers were green. She grew gorgeous flowers. I didn't quite inherit that ability, myself, but both my sisters and I dabble in gardening.
Mama passed away on January 3, 2005. We miss her dreadfully, although she tended to keep us all in a state of confusion and anxiety for the last few years of her life. She lived alone until about two months before her death, and we worried constantly about her being alone. But she wouldn't have it any other way. Contrary to the end, she was.
We all have several of Mama's quilts. Here is my favorite, her Double Wedding Ring. She did all her piecing and quilting by hand. She even pieced backs.
Happy Birthday, Mama. Try to be kind to God, St. Pete, and all the saints up there. Remember, they haven't had time to get used to you yet. Oh, and please tell Daddy hi for me. Love, Suzie
This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.
On 05/27/2007, Nellie said ...
In retrospect, of course that bright-eyed beautiful baby in the photo would become a beautiful, talented, and interesting person. Here's hoping that we all have the wherewithall to give our children a tough time because we refuse to give up what we know we can manage even though they think otherwise. Even while my mother-in-law was frustrating me along those same lines, I was thinking that I'll be lucky if I have the spunk to be able to carry on when I "get there". No doubt, frustrating my daughters-in-law in turn.
On 05/27/2007, Donna said ...
Happy Birthday, SuSu's Mom. And now you'll
have a WHOLE LOT MORE!
On 05/27/2007, Rian said ...
I would like to have known your contrary mother. I bet she was a pistol.
On 05/27/2007, Molly Fryer said ...
Such a sweet post. I enjoyed it very much.
On 05/27/2007, mom2fur said ...
Wow, there's no denying that's your mom...look at the eyes! You both have the same pretty eyes.
The quilt is so beautiful. What an amazing heirloom treasure!
On 05/27/2007, Quilting Fitzy said ...
Fantastic love-filled post, thank you.
On 05/27/2007, Granny Fran said ...
What a precious tribute to your mom. I love the vintage Double Wedding Ring quilts.
On 05/28/2007, anita said ...
You have her lovely smile. Thanks for a beautiful post.
On 05/28/2007, Nicole said ...
Your post is full of so much love. How fortunate you are to have had such a wonderful mother. I lost my mom in 2004 and a day doesn't go by that I don't miss her company and wisdom.
-----
No comments:
Post a Comment