Thursday, August 09, 2007

How Would You Like to Be Remembered?

This past week I have had the honour and priviledge of "interviewing" both of my Mothers. My reason for doing this was two-fold, one I have a very bad memory. Two, when the good Lord decides it's their time, I want to do honour to their memory.
These two vibrant, brilliant and healthy women are this family's living legacy. When our Fathers passed away it was left to "mom" to fill in all of the blanks in our dad's lives. When did this happen? What year did we do such and such? The big question for me and my beloved was: who would we go to when their time came? Both of our moms are the last living adults in their family. We decided the best and most accurate way would be to ask them. So ask them I did.

Both told me stories about their lives that I'd never heard, it was interesting, it was intimate, it evoked so many memories. It was humbling, funny, sad and wonderful all at the same time.

I ended each interview asking: How would you like to be remembered? I won't tell how each responded, but I will say that my mom and my beloved's mom humbled me to my knees with the simplicity of their answers but with understatements that make a girl want to weep.

My darling mothers you are our blessings. We thank you for your love. We thank you for being the strong, wonderful women who raised us. We love you very much.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

AA; I too have a very bad memory. I love to hear the stories from Oma and Grannie (and you! you've come up with some about you, AM and Dad that I have not heard ~ Dad is very tight lipped! LOL) It's unfortunate that life has become so crazy and busy and we miss out on the simple things like coffee/tea and stories from our Grandparents. Something that I think should definately take priority and something that I will have to work on. :-)
I can't imagine what their responses were but I am sure they were so fitting and appropriate. I am NOT hurrying that day to find out. I hope you hold that with you for quite a while yet :-)
Thanks for doing that though BTW; so very thoughtful and SMART!
Love you ~ Andrea xo

Allyson said...

Who's AA-ha ha--that's an illusion to my bad memory! I think we all (including retirees), have so much on the go that what we don't write down or has immediate significance to our lives, forgets things. Too much stuff in there Andrea.

Those are two beautiful women I don't need to tell you. I hope I don't need to "release" that information for a decade +.

You know not getting around to doing this has been bugging me for over a half a year at least. I feel so much better in that regard to have completed that task. One thing crossed off my list is good!
Love you honey, Aunty Allyson xxxooo

Anonymous said...

There's nothing better than hearing the old stories. My Mom tells us about growing up in Manitoba during the 20's and 30's. No electricity, no indoor plumbing, no warm clothes for winter. They had to walk out to the outhouse even in the below freezing winter. I'm shivering.

Unknown said...

Hi Mom,
We enjoyed our visit with you today. How Abby loves her Nanny!
The photos attached are wonderful from your party.
I know it was emotional gathering this information, but you will not regret doing so.
Our families come with a rich history and I too, don't want to hurry that day.
Love you Granny-Goose who reads this Blog.
Love you Mom slash Nanny
xoxo