in praise of a mom
May 7, 2010 I know I am a tad early on this one, but in recent years, my mom has taken to writing me and my sisters letters for Mother’s Day, telling us how grateful she is to be our mom.
This year, she made me a hand-stitched fabric valentine – which I think was maybe her first attempt at embroidery. Her note mentioned that she didn’t have skills, which is laughable to anyone who knows her. She paints, she sings, she draws, she imagines things and then makes those things happen. She pretty much provided the soundtrack to our childhood with her guitar or banjo, and decorated almost every building I spent time in as a kid (painting huge murals at our doctor’s office, preschool, school cafeterias, etc). She has loved us since before we were born – and my sisters and I have the journals she kept while pregnant to prove it.
Of course we have had our rocky times (pretty much all of my teenage years, when I was so mean that it makes me cringe remembering it). But that’s the thing about family, chosen or born into: we get the very worst and very best of each other.
In this case, that best is pretty amazing: a wildly creative mother who is always the brightest spirit in the room. Happy Mother’s Day, everyone. xo
mom, mother's day in etc
Reader Comments (6)
Well said. The good parts are the best aren't they? I suppose we all did things that we regret, but that is part of growing up. Have a wonderful weekend.
Aw, look at those great photos. Thanks for sharing the lovely tribute.
I love this! Cheers to you and your mom!
Holy hell, you were a beautiful child. You had that old soul face from the very beginning.
As a maker and documenter, I take to heart your mom's written (and painted and strummed and first-time embroidered) efforts. they inspire me to continue my uphill scramble of making things with my kids. this week: light sabors and x-wing fighters from newspaper, pipe cleaners, paper towel rolls, construction paper, and shiny packaging tape...when all the while, the target brand version buzzes from the next backyard. I wonder if your mom even heard the backyard buzzing--if she felt, like me, that the threat of imagination shut-down was only just a fence post away.
Hello Kelly,
I had the pleasure of meeting your Mother today, and she is absolutely fabulous. She came into the store I work at called, "Accessories Of Old". I gave her our card. She said so many wonderful things about you and all of your projects. If you are ever out on the East Coast, stop in with your Mother and say hello, we would love to meet you. Your things are simply wonderful! :)
Take Care,
Christina
creatingwithchristina@gmail.com
accessoriesofold.com