At seventy-six, just as my mother had finally begun to enjoy the big payoff of her and my father's lifelong efforts—a stable financial situation, a comfortable home, graduations, weddings, grandchildren—the news she had cancer hit like a sledgehammer.
Nothing speaks of love more Alice than sharing a hospital bed with one we cherish who is ill. There is no greater gesture of affection. How your mother must have felt!
Oh Alice. I’m sitting at the lake catching up after having a visit with my 91 year old mum. Maybe they were sisters - maybe we are all an enigma to a point. “He’s gonna kill you” - I heard this and thought, nobody loves us like our mothers.
Your story, Alice, though uniquely yours,is a version of so many I have heard from that same era, your era. For many grandparents and parents who fled Europe, silence was their mantra. Thus, you write/speak for yourself in a way that I hope will touch many others.
I began to read this with one eye on the clock because I was running late for an appointment. I will finish it later, I thought. But this chapter about your mother was so moving I had to finish it.
I look forward to each instalment of your memoir as you piece together the puzzle that is your family history. It is both fascinating and at times heartbreaking. It’s always a joy to read anything you write.💗
I loved hearing about your Mom, Alice, so pls tell us more. My Mother passed away unexpectedly 6 years ago and I so wish that I had asked her more questions about her young life. The early scandalous divorce (at that time) with my father and how she coped with 3 young children. Plus I should have asked so many more questions along the way. She would have confided in me but I’m the one who was busy with a family, working and craving quiet time. I really miss her.
I love to wallow around in all your detail. Especially enjoyed the description of your mother's kitchen. What recall you have!
This is such an incredible story, so beautifully told! Thank you for sharing it!
Nothing speaks of love more Alice than sharing a hospital bed with one we cherish who is ill. There is no greater gesture of affection. How your mother must have felt!
In this chapter, I feel a deeper revelation about the layers of 'mother land'. Thank you, Alice!
Oh Alice. I’m sitting at the lake catching up after having a visit with my 91 year old mum. Maybe they were sisters - maybe we are all an enigma to a point. “He’s gonna kill you” - I heard this and thought, nobody loves us like our mothers.
Your story, Alice, though uniquely yours,is a version of so many I have heard from that same era, your era. For many grandparents and parents who fled Europe, silence was their mantra. Thus, you write/speak for yourself in a way that I hope will touch many others.
With appreciation,
Thanks Dorree. It's me who is appreciative.
Lovely. A tone poem to motherhood and one particular mom, well-remembered.
I began to read this with one eye on the clock because I was running late for an appointment. I will finish it later, I thought. But this chapter about your mother was so moving I had to finish it.
I look forward to each instalment of your memoir as you piece together the puzzle that is your family history. It is both fascinating and at times heartbreaking. It’s always a joy to read anything you write.💗
I loved hearing about your Mom, Alice, so pls tell us more. My Mother passed away unexpectedly 6 years ago and I so wish that I had asked her more questions about her young life. The early scandalous divorce (at that time) with my father and how she coped with 3 young children. Plus I should have asked so many more questions along the way. She would have confided in me but I’m the one who was busy with a family, working and craving quiet time. I really miss her.
We feel the same. Thanks for reading. Means the world.
Wonderful Alice - I am moved by your stories. They are well worth telling and you do a beautiful job of telling them. Your Mom would be proud.