I thought tonight I would share with you who
my mother and father were and how they impacted my life in profound ways that
can be felt to this day. One was from
the small town of Hollidaysburg , PA and the
other was from Queens , NYC. So, anyone could see that their view of the
world would be vastly different. That is
putting it mildly.
My father was from Queens , NYC who grew up there in the great depression
in a single household with his sister and mother. My grandmother, Nana, was direct from Ireland Brooklyn
which was very strict and he was a golden gloves boxer. One time my father told me a story of how a
boy at a dance tried to adjust his tie.
My father’s response was tell the boy, “ let’s step outside…” (not the way I
would have handled it but…)
The character of my
father? A measure of a person’s
character can be judged by their actions in a crisis. (zig Ziglar)
On one hot summer day in our neighborhood a
fire broke out in a neighbor’s house. The
fire broke out and all the neighbors watched from their porch steps except one,
my father. My mother told my father , “
don’t go Donald.” My father ran down to the
neighbor’s house and made sure she made it out ok. The others just watched and did nothing and
never left their porch steps.(This is probably one of the biggest reasons I
think to do nothing when you can is down right criminal.)
Another time, my father was
talking to the land developer and the house builder. I can remember exactly what the land developer
said like it was yesterday, “ Don, I bet you hope a bunch of N***** mover in
here.” My dad responded, “ sure do.”
My mother, on the other hand,
was from small town Hollidaysburg where I was raised which was could not have
been more different than NYC. The town
of Hollidaysburg America
My mother was also catholic
but had her closely guarded opinions that differed with the Catholic Church. For example, when it came to abortion my
mother believed in the woman’s right to choose.
She was a strong conservative woman who believed in her values and stuck
by them, never waiving. This sounds
like someone I know, me. My mother
did not make waives and went along to get along.
However, Rachel does not go
along to get along nor has she ever.
Case and point, at my father’s funeral viewing a former manager of my
father’s came to visit and pay his respects.
My father had cursed this man’s name many times over the years and could
not stand the man. So, when he came to
pay his respects I was a little too forward for my mother’s comfort when I said
to him, “ what are you doing here.” My
mother promptly said, “ Donald.” I said,
“ dad did not even like this guy.” After
that, out of respect for my mother, I bowed out and moved away from the
entrance to my father’s viewing. I don’t
exactly blend in nor toe the party line even back then in 1988.
For years and years I said
that I was the best of my mother and the best of my father blended together. So I have the fire of golden gloves boxer
that drives the engine and the heart of my mother. My mother gave me the best gift anyone could
give a child and it was her heart. I
have passed my heart to my daughter.
God blessed with me two
parents that gave me so much to build on that my success was nearly certain in
my eyes. It was merely for the asking
and accepting the challenge to become the best woman I can be. I know in my heart that my mother would be
proud of me not publicly nor even privately but in her heart.
What did my mother teach me
beyond her death? She left me a small
inheritance which I used to buy the very best make up and clothes that any
woman would envy. Thus, while mourning
the death of my mother I covered myself in Clarin and Dior make up. Only to learn that the make up does not make
the woman; the woman makes the make up.
Mother Thank you and love
always,
Rachel
No comments:
Post a Comment