Sunday, May 13, 2012

Happy Mother's Day to all who mother....... whether you are one or not

 It takes a village to raise a child and in my case that was certainly true!  Mother's are certainly important but so are those who play supporting roles.  These are the only pictures I have of some of the most important women in my life.   My Mother being number one but also my Aunts who were the "back up" Mothers.  They've all passed now but I have very wonderful memories of them all.
Below is my Mother in Hanover, Illinois where she grew up.  These were all before I was born. 

 Women are heroes too.........you just don't hear about them as much.

Below are 3 of the 4 most important women in my life....on the left is my Aunt Bernice, my Mother's sister-in-law who raised me basically the first 5 years of my life as my Mother was divorced and worked in Chicago as a nurse and came home on weekends.  There was no childcare in those days so she paid my Aunt and Uncle (her brother) to take care of me during the week.  My Mother was the youngest in her family of 6 and so Aunt Bernice and Uncle Homer were like Grandparents as they were 20 years older than my Mother.  My Aunt and Uncle took in other foster children all their life and raised 6 or 7 I think plus they had one son of their own.  My Aunt Bernice had polio when she was young so she had to wear special shoes as her feet were deformed from it but that never stopped her!  After my Mother remarried and I went to live with her and my new step-father permanently, I went back and spent every Summer with my Aunt and Uncle until I went to College.   

 The woman in the middle is my Mother was when she was in the Army in WWII.  She was an army nurse and evidently home on leave.  My Mother worked and put herself through school.  She had a 4 year degree in nursing and later went on to get her masters.  She always wanted to be a surgeon and she should have been as she was an operating room nurse who helped with eye surgeries.  She even traveled across country to assist with certain surgeries.  She taught me to be a life long learner and to persevere no matter what and also to not be a "whiner"! LOL!  One of her words of wisdom, of which there were many, was "Do you want to be a sheep or a shepherd?".  She made it feel okay not to "fit in" and to be myself.
The woman on the right of my Mother is her Sister,  my Aunt Alice.  Aunt Alice never had any children of her own but she loved and spoiled any child that came into view especially my cousins and I.  She would let us toddle around in her high heels, jump on her furniture and take us to Bingo when it was legal for kids to go.  Sunday nights she's have us over for popcorn.  Holidays she would always send me really special things. Like at Easter I would get a huge candy egg filled with goodies from Fanny Mae candies.  She and my Uncle would take me to fine restaurants and introduced me to lobster and fine dining.  My Aunt is responsible for my expensive taste! LOL!  She was also a wonderful cook and always had homemade cookies on hand.
The one woman who I do not have a picture of is my Aunt Edna, my Mother's sister-in-law.  She was housewife extraordinaire and would put Martha S. to shame.  She was a wonderful cook and baker, housekeeper and gardened and canned and she would still find time to take my cousin (her daughter) and I on hikes and go fishing.  She was always laughing and smiling and I know I gave her fits at times but she had the patience of a saint and never let on.  
So...if they can hear me today......Happy Mother's Day to all of you!  I still love you all!

17 comments:

  1. Such lovely pictures and wonderful memories! Your mom was quite accomplished for her time.

    Do you want to be a sheep or a shepherd? I like that!

    Sounds like you had some strong, inspiring women in your life.

    Have a beautiful day. Tammy

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  2. Such a wonderful post full of memories. Happy Mother's day to you!!
    Elaine

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  3. This is such a wonderful tribute to these strong loving ladies! So glad you had all of them in your life.

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  4. What an excellent tribute. It really helps children when the get consistent messages from the adults around them. Makes for a more stable childhood I think.

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  5. Wow,what a wonderful group of women in your family! I loved hearing this history and loved that they adored children. Lucky you!!! Glad you are having a wonderful Mother's Day.

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  6. Hello and thanks for commenting on my blog today. I've had a quick look at your blog and followed you because it looks just my cup of tea! I love your old photos and stories.

    Off to read some more! :-)

    Nicki xx

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  7. Happy Mother's Day! I enjoyed your post and the photos of all the women that are important in your life..I say "are" because they have helped to make you who you are today.
    Your Mom sounds like quite a lady! :)

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  8. What a wonderful story. I seems you have a t least 4 "mothers", who clearly all loved you very much. Your birth mother sounds remarkable and like she gave so much for her country and her daughter. It was nice to get to know you a little better.

    Happy Mother's Day. We celebrated it here too in Australia
    Carolyn

    PS Glad you can find the herbs and spices over your way. But don't forget that the fresh stuff will work well in my recipes as well.

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  9. Happy Mother's Day! Your photos are so wonderful, and how lucky to are to have had such terrific women in your life!! xoxo Debbie

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  10. What wonderful stories about the women in your life who made a difference for you. Thanks for posting. Happy Mother's Day to you too.

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  11. What a lovely post for US Mother's Day!!
    Your Mother sounds a very clever, hard-working, determined and talented woman - no wonder you are so proud of her. And what loving and caring relations you had too.
    I have no doubt your children and grandchildren feel equally lucky in you - I hope you had a wonderful Mothers Day.
    from your latest follower, Gill xx
    ps thanks for popping over to mine!

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