Ohmygosh, Diane, I started to cry half-way through this blog entry!
I have spent so much more time with my mother over the past year. She has had a lot of health problems. She will be 80 next month, though, and I consider myself so blessed that I still have her, as well as my dad. I have no idea what I will do when they are gone.
Lately I have noticed really old women a lot more than ever. I have no idea why this is, but I always wonder what kinds of stories they could tell me. I used to love sitting with my dad’s mother and hearing her stories of the ‘old days.’ I really miss that a lot.
P.S. I would take my mom to Starbucks on your behalf but she doesn’t like their coffee. Lol! I will take her to the St. Louis Bread Company tomorrow morning, though, before driving her to her weekly hair appointment. 🙂
Omigosh Diane, this blog is making me cry (but in a good way). Yes, I will take my mother to Starbucks this weekend and she will love having their hot chocolate with whip cream…and I will tell her we’re going there for Diane Chamberlain. Gary and I spend at least 4 days a week with my mother…usually on Sat we take her to a movie with us and then out to dinner. We are incredibly close to her and always have been…she is my very best girlfriend and I make every moment count with her…we also talk on the telephone everyday and sometimes twice a day.
I love elderly people…they have so much wisdom and those beautiful wrinkles represent a million stories in their lives. My mother lives in a retirement village and we eat dinner in the main dining room with her probably 3 times a week…2 other couples join us who are in their 80’s and 90’s…they are wonderful people and have so much knowledge…Gary and I look forward to these dinners with them so much and listening to their extraordinary escapades!
I think you have a real story working in your mind after seeing these 3 women Diane…and you know what? I bet you really made that woman’s day by telling her how beautiful she is…you’re wonderful Diane to make others feel good about themselves.
Love the picture. This is my first computer visit in almost a week-been IN BED (not even the couch) with that horrible flu…this is the sickest I have been in ages-hope none of you get this.
If I had my MOTHER, I would be so so so happy. I have lived l year past my MOther’s age…the doctors say that each year I have is a gift. (She was 60)…I have to get caught up this weekend with your BLOGS.
What a beautiful grandmother and what a beautiful blog! I did get tears in my eyes with this one – I hope a lot of mothers are taken for coffee because you reminded daughters/sons what a privilege that would be.
Ann, i love the idea that some moms were taken out this morning because of my post. 🙂
Brenda, I’m glad you’re finally feeling better. Take care of yourself!
Diane,
I am incredibly touched by your blog. When my husband proposed to me (I was 25 and still living with my parents) I told him it was a packaged deal. My father had a heart condition and I knew he would predecease my mother. I told my husband I would not leave my mother alone (she was an invalid). So we got married and lived with my parents until my father decided to move to Florida in 1995. In 2000 my father passed away and we moved my mother back up to NY where she lived with us for the next 2 and 1/2 years. My mother died in 2002 and I found myself at age 40 being an orphan. I miss both my parents, but especially my mother, we were best friends, even when the roles got reversed and I became the “parent” and she was the “child”. I used to tell her it is not easy raising parents. Before she died I took her diamond heart and put it around my neck and said “your heart will always stay next to my heart.” Needless to say I never take it off. Now my husband and I live in Florida and my parents are buried down here.
I can’t bring my mother to Starbucks but I can bring Starbucks to my mother. I will get a “decaf, skinny, vanilla latte, no foam” and go to the cemetery and drink it for my mom and tell her about how all this came about. Thank you Diane……
Ronnie, How wonderful…my mother was my best friend also. She had me at 15…she died at 60…I moved into her hospital room on 2/29/94…I lived there 24/7 until she died 6/2/94 of breast/bone/etc. cancer…it is still difficult…On a lighter note, if she were living, she would never drink Starbucks coffee…she would say, “Brenda Joyce…don’t you dare get me that fancy brew…” I can laugh thinking about it.
Diane-thank you for this BLOG and bringing memories to us…never a day goes by that I do not think of Mother. Her last words to me, “Brenda Joyce…go back to college…become a teacher and tell your students that NOT ONE CIGARETTE was worth this ….”
I have done that!!!
How we love our favorite authors…I know this is a different topic-but this will tell you how faithful we can be to those like Diane, Delinsky, etc.
At midnight on MOnday, (before I was sick), I was at our local Walmart to purchase the latest by B. Delinsky…My daughter and granddaughters were visiting from out of state (they left the next A.M. to avoid becoming quite ill)…they wanted the new H.S. Musical DVD also coming out the day of Delinsky’s novel…Well…behold…their “hip” Nana was able to get the DVD…but the store did not put out Delinsky’s novel…I was so aggravated…There we were waiting in line to purchase the DVD and the book (to no avail)…up way past their bed time–way way…holding the DVD…they were laughing and giggling…it was a Kodak moment…others in the store could not believe those little girls (the youngest was in bed at Nana’s)…I couldn’t believe I was doing it either…a moment they will NEVER forget…I, on the other hand, came home without my book…Had to share this with you girls…it was such an “exciting” time…now you know how “exciting” my life is…DOn’t doubt that wherever I am when Diane’s book is released…I will be there to get it.
Ronnie, your story of your mom put tears in MY eyes. and what a super husband you have. We lived with my Grandma Chamberalin and our lives were enriched in so many ways by that experience. I’m glad your mother is close enough to “visit.” I know it must give you comfort.
Brenda, love your Walmart story! Your grandaughters have a grandmother they’ll always remember as well.
WOWEE…a grandmother??? ME???THAT’S SCARY…but true…I have always been the hip NANA, but in reality, I am the loving grandmother they will remember…thanks Diane…I LOVED your story of the three women-a book there I think…
All these stories have touched me in so many ways…Ronnie, I thought I was thru crying after reading Diane’s blog but yours got me weepy all over again. Brenda, I know how much you miss your mother…your children and grandchildren bring you so much joy which is a blessing.
I treasure my mother everyday. Diane, we had cocoa at Starbucks with whipped cream and I told her your story and everyone else’s who made comments. Then, she started talking about her wonderful mother that I never knew. It was a good time to talk.
Margo-you appreciate your mom more than anyone I know at this time…you are so so so blessed as is she.
I am a little better–still up to getting dressed…I am emailing high school projects and the college…I just received notice that I will be back on college campus next fall (l class per week at night)…I took a leave from that job this semester-one that I love the most most most…they held the job for me. I love teaching, and my main job is high school-it is becoming so much more difficult each day–the parents and students have so much control-not so in college…Although my own children wish I would do the ONE JOB that is my living-the college job is my therapy…that and you guys…
THANKS
I am not used to making people cry, I am usually the on to make everyone laugh.
It seems to me that no matter how old you get you never get over not having your mother anymore. I am a stepmother and a grandmother but still I find myself in certain life situations and wish I could ask my mom what is the right thing to do, to say or especially to wear.
Does that happen to any of you?
Feel better soon Brenda!
Just got back from the movie theatre after seeing Slumdog Millionaire. I am an emotional wreck! I loved this movie.
I haven’t seen any of the other nominated movies, but I hope this wins.
Thanks Gina…it is difficult living alone and being ill-but I make it work.
Ronnie-so many times my daughter and I say, “Wouldn’t Grandma LOVE these three little girls???” We never get over losing our mothers. The book, MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS (?author) is nonfiction-given to me by my daughter in 1995…tells it like it is…we are the members of a “sorority”-those of us whose mothers are deceased…amazing book…I devour it often.
I am up late watching the snow–have been in sick so long that I don’t even care if it snows. Just watched one of my top 3 movies-Bridges of Madison County…I cried my eyes out again…that mother in the movie is one in a million…I have the movie but avoid watching it unless it is on television-I need the commercials to contain myself. It is one MOVIE that I think is better than the book. IN 1996 I was studying Shakespeare at The Folger’s in D.C. and at Georgetown U with about 20 other teachers (we lived at Georgetown for a month) when we were chattering about the book in a small pub. When we were leaving, a gentleman walked over and offered to send me a picture of the Bridges…the real ones-he was a resident of Iowa. I told him that although I had been to Iowa, I had not seen the bridges…He did mail them to me…they were beautiful…what a movie…I could watch Streep and Eastwood a million times…when he stands in the rain, I can’t see through the tears. What do you ladies think about this one?
Brenda, I’ve been to the Bridges several times…it was a big thing in Iowa when Clint Eastwood and M Streep were here filming.
Speaking of films, the Oscars are tonite…
I liked the movie Brenda but the book more…
As I said in my e-mail to you, I’d bring you soup if I lived near you…I hope you’re better today.
Margo-thanks. Also, I’ll reread my book to see if I did like the movie better-I think I did but not sure.I’ll bet it was exciting when they were making the movie.
Brenda, I wasn’t a fan of either the book or the movie. I’m certain that was because the subject matter–infidelity–hit a little too close to home for me at the time. I might have a different response to it now. Which just gave me an idea for a blog post. . .
Diane, what an absolutely reminiscent telling of your observations. I never did answer the question about how my mom faired from her assualt at school because I thought I was getting too personal. Sorry y’all, just a guy thing. My mother got over the incident without missing a beat. Black and blue but the work still had to be done.
She is an incredibly strong person without being overbearing. Quite the opposite, she is one of the most kind and generous persons you could ever meet. She is now 86 and bedridden with a horribly debiitating disease called PSP (progressive supra-nuclear palsy). She acquired this about 5years ago and is still surprising the doctors with longevity. Thus, her strong will. And she still says “Thank You” to her caregivers (when possible) and can still laugh at a joke by showing a determined smile.
Diane, thank you for sharing this and to the others for their comments that keeps my mother ever present in my mind. I miss her so much and I love her.
Your grandmother wears the endurance of time so gracefully, as did that entire generation.
Thank You!
Glen, you wrote a lovely tribute to your mother. I’m sure her caretakers appreciate those “thank yous”. There aren’t too many patients in your mother’s age range and condition who also have the ability to make their caretakers feel appreciated. I hope you get to visit her from time to time. I know how hard it is not to be geographically close. Hugs.
Diane-
Quite a shock to open your blog and see my grandmother. Yours too, of course. Do you have the picture I used in my album, of Gram and Mom sailing toy boats at Sunanto?
Very nice piece. I am sitting at the laptop in my kitchen while my mother-in-law plays solitare across the table. She is another one who despises fancy coffee. So she gets a drip cup of black every AM here.
I bet it WAS an odd feeling to see Gram when you checked my blog! I do have that picture with the toy boats at SuNanTo (our family’s long-ago summer home), but the only copy I have is blown up huge and hanging in my dining room. I love it. Tell your mom-in-law I’m thinking of her and I hope she wins at solitaire more than she loses.
Oh, Diane. I love this particular blog and I love that picture of your grandma.
I lost my grandmother a few years ago. She was my hero.
Ohmygosh, Diane, I started to cry half-way through this blog entry!
I have spent so much more time with my mother over the past year. She has had a lot of health problems. She will be 80 next month, though, and I consider myself so blessed that I still have her, as well as my dad. I have no idea what I will do when they are gone.
Lately I have noticed really old women a lot more than ever. I have no idea why this is, but I always wonder what kinds of stories they could tell me. I used to love sitting with my dad’s mother and hearing her stories of the ‘old days.’ I really miss that a lot.
P.S. I would take my mom to Starbucks on your behalf but she doesn’t like their coffee. Lol! I will take her to the St. Louis Bread Company tomorrow morning, though, before driving her to her weekly hair appointment. 🙂
Omigosh Diane, this blog is making me cry (but in a good way). Yes, I will take my mother to Starbucks this weekend and she will love having their hot chocolate with whip cream…and I will tell her we’re going there for Diane Chamberlain. Gary and I spend at least 4 days a week with my mother…usually on Sat we take her to a movie with us and then out to dinner. We are incredibly close to her and always have been…she is my very best girlfriend and I make every moment count with her…we also talk on the telephone everyday and sometimes twice a day.
I love elderly people…they have so much wisdom and those beautiful wrinkles represent a million stories in their lives. My mother lives in a retirement village and we eat dinner in the main dining room with her probably 3 times a week…2 other couples join us who are in their 80’s and 90’s…they are wonderful people and have so much knowledge…Gary and I look forward to these dinners with them so much and listening to their extraordinary escapades!
I think you have a real story working in your mind after seeing these 3 women Diane…and you know what? I bet you really made that woman’s day by telling her how beautiful she is…you’re wonderful Diane to make others feel good about themselves.
P.S….Diane, your grandma is absolutely lovely…what a wonderful picture to share with us.
Love the picture. This is my first computer visit in almost a week-been IN BED (not even the couch) with that horrible flu…this is the sickest I have been in ages-hope none of you get this.
If I had my MOTHER, I would be so so so happy. I have lived l year past my MOther’s age…the doctors say that each year I have is a gift. (She was 60)…I have to get caught up this weekend with your BLOGS.
What a beautiful grandmother and what a beautiful blog! I did get tears in my eyes with this one – I hope a lot of mothers are taken for coffee because you reminded daughters/sons what a privilege that would be.
Ann, i love the idea that some moms were taken out this morning because of my post. 🙂
Brenda, I’m glad you’re finally feeling better. Take care of yourself!
Thinking of you Brenda…take care of yourself.
Diane,
I am incredibly touched by your blog. When my husband proposed to me (I was 25 and still living with my parents) I told him it was a packaged deal. My father had a heart condition and I knew he would predecease my mother. I told my husband I would not leave my mother alone (she was an invalid). So we got married and lived with my parents until my father decided to move to Florida in 1995. In 2000 my father passed away and we moved my mother back up to NY where she lived with us for the next 2 and 1/2 years. My mother died in 2002 and I found myself at age 40 being an orphan. I miss both my parents, but especially my mother, we were best friends, even when the roles got reversed and I became the “parent” and she was the “child”. I used to tell her it is not easy raising parents. Before she died I took her diamond heart and put it around my neck and said “your heart will always stay next to my heart.” Needless to say I never take it off. Now my husband and I live in Florida and my parents are buried down here.
I can’t bring my mother to Starbucks but I can bring Starbucks to my mother. I will get a “decaf, skinny, vanilla latte, no foam” and go to the cemetery and drink it for my mom and tell her about how all this came about. Thank you Diane……
Ronnie, How wonderful…my mother was my best friend also. She had me at 15…she died at 60…I moved into her hospital room on 2/29/94…I lived there 24/7 until she died 6/2/94 of breast/bone/etc. cancer…it is still difficult…On a lighter note, if she were living, she would never drink Starbucks coffee…she would say, “Brenda Joyce…don’t you dare get me that fancy brew…” I can laugh thinking about it.
Diane-thank you for this BLOG and bringing memories to us…never a day goes by that I do not think of Mother. Her last words to me, “Brenda Joyce…go back to college…become a teacher and tell your students that NOT ONE CIGARETTE was worth this ….”
I have done that!!!
How we love our favorite authors…I know this is a different topic-but this will tell you how faithful we can be to those like Diane, Delinsky, etc.
At midnight on MOnday, (before I was sick), I was at our local Walmart to purchase the latest by B. Delinsky…My daughter and granddaughters were visiting from out of state (they left the next A.M. to avoid becoming quite ill)…they wanted the new H.S. Musical DVD also coming out the day of Delinsky’s novel…Well…behold…their “hip” Nana was able to get the DVD…but the store did not put out Delinsky’s novel…I was so aggravated…There we were waiting in line to purchase the DVD and the book (to no avail)…up way past their bed time–way way…holding the DVD…they were laughing and giggling…it was a Kodak moment…others in the store could not believe those little girls (the youngest was in bed at Nana’s)…I couldn’t believe I was doing it either…a moment they will NEVER forget…I, on the other hand, came home without my book…Had to share this with you girls…it was such an “exciting” time…now you know how “exciting” my life is…DOn’t doubt that wherever I am when Diane’s book is released…I will be there to get it.
Ronnie, your story of your mom put tears in MY eyes. and what a super husband you have. We lived with my Grandma Chamberalin and our lives were enriched in so many ways by that experience. I’m glad your mother is close enough to “visit.” I know it must give you comfort.
Brenda, love your Walmart story! Your grandaughters have a grandmother they’ll always remember as well.
WOWEE…a grandmother??? ME???THAT’S SCARY…but true…I have always been the hip NANA, but in reality, I am the loving grandmother they will remember…thanks Diane…I LOVED your story of the three women-a book there I think…
All these stories have touched me in so many ways…Ronnie, I thought I was thru crying after reading Diane’s blog but yours got me weepy all over again. Brenda, I know how much you miss your mother…your children and grandchildren bring you so much joy which is a blessing.
I treasure my mother everyday. Diane, we had cocoa at Starbucks with whipped cream and I told her your story and everyone else’s who made comments. Then, she started talking about her wonderful mother that I never knew. It was a good time to talk.
Margo-you appreciate your mom more than anyone I know at this time…you are so so so blessed as is she.
I am a little better–still up to getting dressed…I am emailing high school projects and the college…I just received notice that I will be back on college campus next fall (l class per week at night)…I took a leave from that job this semester-one that I love the most most most…they held the job for me. I love teaching, and my main job is high school-it is becoming so much more difficult each day–the parents and students have so much control-not so in college…Although my own children wish I would do the ONE JOB that is my living-the college job is my therapy…that and you guys…
THANKS
oops-NOT up to getting dressed…
I am not used to making people cry, I am usually the on to make everyone laugh.
It seems to me that no matter how old you get you never get over not having your mother anymore. I am a stepmother and a grandmother but still I find myself in certain life situations and wish I could ask my mom what is the right thing to do, to say or especially to wear.
Does that happen to any of you?
Feel better soon Brenda!
Just got back from the movie theatre after seeing Slumdog Millionaire. I am an emotional wreck! I loved this movie.
I haven’t seen any of the other nominated movies, but I hope this wins.
Thanks Gina…it is difficult living alone and being ill-but I make it work.
Ronnie-so many times my daughter and I say, “Wouldn’t Grandma LOVE these three little girls???” We never get over losing our mothers. The book, MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS (?author) is nonfiction-given to me by my daughter in 1995…tells it like it is…we are the members of a “sorority”-those of us whose mothers are deceased…amazing book…I devour it often.
I am up late watching the snow–have been in sick so long that I don’t even care if it snows. Just watched one of my top 3 movies-Bridges of Madison County…I cried my eyes out again…that mother in the movie is one in a million…I have the movie but avoid watching it unless it is on television-I need the commercials to contain myself. It is one MOVIE that I think is better than the book. IN 1996 I was studying Shakespeare at The Folger’s in D.C. and at Georgetown U with about 20 other teachers (we lived at Georgetown for a month) when we were chattering about the book in a small pub. When we were leaving, a gentleman walked over and offered to send me a picture of the Bridges…the real ones-he was a resident of Iowa. I told him that although I had been to Iowa, I had not seen the bridges…He did mail them to me…they were beautiful…what a movie…I could watch Streep and Eastwood a million times…when he stands in the rain, I can’t see through the tears. What do you ladies think about this one?
Brenda, I’ve been to the Bridges several times…it was a big thing in Iowa when Clint Eastwood and M Streep were here filming.
Speaking of films, the Oscars are tonite…
I liked the movie Brenda but the book more…
As I said in my e-mail to you, I’d bring you soup if I lived near you…I hope you’re better today.
Margo-thanks. Also, I’ll reread my book to see if I did like the movie better-I think I did but not sure.I’ll bet it was exciting when they were making the movie.
Brenda, I wasn’t a fan of either the book or the movie. I’m certain that was because the subject matter–infidelity–hit a little too close to home for me at the time. I might have a different response to it now. Which just gave me an idea for a blog post. . .
Diane, what an absolutely reminiscent telling of your observations. I never did answer the question about how my mom faired from her assualt at school because I thought I was getting too personal. Sorry y’all, just a guy thing. My mother got over the incident without missing a beat. Black and blue but the work still had to be done.
She is an incredibly strong person without being overbearing. Quite the opposite, she is one of the most kind and generous persons you could ever meet. She is now 86 and bedridden with a horribly debiitating disease called PSP (progressive supra-nuclear palsy). She acquired this about 5years ago and is still surprising the doctors with longevity. Thus, her strong will. And she still says “Thank You” to her caregivers (when possible) and can still laugh at a joke by showing a determined smile.
Diane, thank you for sharing this and to the others for their comments that keeps my mother ever present in my mind. I miss her so much and I love her.
Your grandmother wears the endurance of time so gracefully, as did that entire generation.
Thank You!
Glen, you wrote a lovely tribute to your mother. I’m sure her caretakers appreciate those “thank yous”. There aren’t too many patients in your mother’s age range and condition who also have the ability to make their caretakers feel appreciated. I hope you get to visit her from time to time. I know how hard it is not to be geographically close. Hugs.
Diane-
Quite a shock to open your blog and see my grandmother. Yours too, of course. Do you have the picture I used in my album, of Gram and Mom sailing toy boats at Sunanto?
Very nice piece. I am sitting at the laptop in my kitchen while my mother-in-law plays solitare across the table. She is another one who despises fancy coffee. So she gets a drip cup of black every AM here.
I bet it WAS an odd feeling to see Gram when you checked my blog! I do have that picture with the toy boats at SuNanTo (our family’s long-ago summer home), but the only copy I have is blown up huge and hanging in my dining room. I love it. Tell your mom-in-law I’m thinking of her and I hope she wins at solitaire more than she loses.