Thinking Of My Mother And Grandmothers With Gratitude On Mother's Day

 Intelligent and brave with an innate personal dignity, I cannot capture my mother with words. When I was child, she tucked me into bed,saying, "You're very precious and special, and I love you just because you're you." That same love follows me yet. With admiration I watch her continue to embrace change and opportunities to grow. I know great chapters are yet to come!

My mother's mother was clever--both with her mind and with her hands. I still regularly wear a classic black skirt she sewed as an outfit for my violin recitals over a decade ago. She loved clouds and countryside and music. I've written more about our relationship here.

 Dad's mom exuded a vibrancy like the crazy quilt squares she created--a strong, textured, many colored engagement with the world. As a little girl, she whistled, borrowed her brother's overalls, and took part in BB gun battles. The years filled her face with laugh lines, and neither tragedy nor age dimmed her love.