Saturday, October 30, 2010

A Letter ...

In a Field of Buttercups
Marianne Stokes

One of the first things I learned about life is that it is not what we expect it to be when we first start out. I remember as a little girl, sitting in a field of buttercups beside the Somass River, thinking that this was going to be my last summer before I became a "big kid" and started school. That was when my real life would begin. I also had a very strong sense that, no matter what I did, I would really have no control over how my life unfolded. That proved to be very true. "The best laid plans of mice and men..."

Child with Red Hair Reading
Lilla Cabot Perry

When you were a child, you amazed everyone -- me, your grandparents, your cousins, your friends' parents.  People were amazed by your easy talents and abilities. All of the other mothers wanted their kids to be your friend, so some of whatever you had would rub off. That made me laugh. But you have always been overly modest about your talents and abilities, and that makes me sad. You are extremely intelligent, funny, talented, capable and accomplished. You are the backbone of your family. What would they have, if it were not for you? Think about. And consider too, all the people you have helped in your profession over the years. You have changed people's lives. Changed people's lives...!

Title Unknown
Luigi Crosio

I always knew that you would be a good mother, and you are. Your beautiful, smart, talented children are a reflection of you -- utterly and completely. And you have made a wonderful home for them, in addition to managing your career.  Just don't let any other human being on this earth make you think you are less than.  You have all sorts of people who admire you, and they're cheering you on.   All of us are given just one "kick at the cat", as Gambie used to say (poor cat...).  We have to make the best of it, even if sometimes things don't turn out the way we expected them to turn out.  But, if we take a chance and shake of the ennui, who knows -- sometimes things turn out even better.

9 comments:

DJan said...

I hope that she hears you, and that whatever is going on in her life right now, that it turns out for the best. We all have trials we go through, but somehow it seems that those of our children are hardest on us mothers.

Cloudia said...

" We have to make the best of it, even if sometimes things don't turn out the way we expected them to turn out. But, if we take a chance and shake of the ennui, who knows -- sometimes things turn out even better."

amen

Aloha from Honolulu

Comfort Spiral

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The Bug said...

It's really hard to believe the press about us isn't it? No matter how many times we hear, "you're great!" we think they might be kidding - or deranged. Hopefully this message will get through for the truth that it is.

Anonymous said...

A pen surely is stronger than any sword can ever be.
Receiving a letter after about 30 years surely made this entry of yours felt for me.

Please have a good Sunday.

daily athens

myletterstoemily said...

what precious tributes to accompany
the lovely paintings.

Katy said...

What a wonderful letter. I do hope that everything turns out for the best. Truely a beautiful gift.

Charles Gramlich said...

It's hardest to know that life is going to have pain for those we love.

heartinsanfrancisco said...

The world never stops striking at us through our children. I do hope that your magnificent daughter will find a way to free herself and her children from any kind of negativity around them, or to transmute it into the kind of loving support they all deserve. Those who put down others do so because of their own insecurities, as everyone knows, but that doesn't mean it should be tolerated endlessly. I know how much you love them and that it tears you up, so I do hope things get much better very soon.

Anonymous said...

I think nothing is sweeter than hearing a parent sincerely saying "I am proud of who you are."