Mothers and daughters and reading....what a lovely connection to have, or to have had. This brought up many sweet memories of my own mother. Thank you! Can't help out with the story -- maybe someone else will.
Discovering that she couldnät read or even see photos in a gossip magazine (mostly about the royals) that she loved. She couldn’t have hear eyes checked due to dementia. And when I discovered her attempts att the crossword puzzle she used to always do. The words she had put down, being “no-words”. Still have that sad image in my head.
Thank you. My mother’s dementia decline was life-altering for me. I’m just beginning to understand its full contours. I appreciate others writing into it and especially about mothers who had /have great intellects. My mother was enraged by her limitations as a fierce independent feminist. One of my most heartbreaking moments with her was feeling her body react to learning the death of Toni Morrison
Thanks, Eliza. It's so meaningful to hear this post resonated for you, though of course I'm sorry you've had to go through it. Two Houses looks like it's exactly my cup of tea and I look forward to reading. I've only taken the briefest glance so far, but I love your mother's painting of the same name. Also: it's hard enough going through a parent's mundane belongings—I can't imagine having to consider what remains of their artistic career. Though again, I'm eager to hear all about it.
Touching. I wonder if you know what her musical tastes were. I keep meaning to make a playlist of my young adult self's favorite music - to take with me into the time in old age that I will need it....
I do, and have tons of it on CD. (Music and poetry, allegedly, are the “last things to go.”) And while my mom will listen to a classical music station on a small radio with headphones, she doesn’t care for the CDs of Schubert’s Lieder and other classical works that once were her favorites. It’s a mystery! (Good idea to make that younger-self list!)
Mothers and daughters and reading....what a lovely connection to have, or to have had. This brought up many sweet memories of my own mother. Thank you! Can't help out with the story -- maybe someone else will.
Thanks so much, Maggie! It's always so good to hear that post hits home.
Oh I love this, Sue. Those little check marks ❤️
Thanks so much, Daisy! (And I know you especially get this.)
Not your story; however, your wondering reminded me of “Twenty Minutes” by James Salter.
Perhaps it can be a stand-in until you come across or remember yours.
Yes, yes! I love Salter, and that is the same kind story. Thanks so much, Marcy!
👍
Yes: "literature providing a neutral and generative ground for conversation." Thanks for this, Sue.
Thanks, Lara! Loved your dancing days pix!
So sweet and reminding me of my mom’s decline.
Discovering that she couldnät read or even see photos in a gossip magazine (mostly about the royals) that she loved. She couldn’t have hear eyes checked due to dementia. And when I discovered her attempts att the crossword puzzle she used to always do. The words she had put down, being “no-words”. Still have that sad image in my head.
Yeah. The sadness is so intense. It never feels like enough, but I know you did so much for her.
I love this photo - beautiful hand, the book page, everything about it is so evocative. I can smell the book.
What a great comment—thanks so much, Kay!
My pleasure, Sue!
Thank you. My mother’s dementia decline was life-altering for me. I’m just beginning to understand its full contours. I appreciate others writing into it and especially about mothers who had /have great intellects. My mother was enraged by her limitations as a fierce independent feminist. One of my most heartbreaking moments with her was feeling her body react to learning the death of Toni Morrison
Thanks, Eliza. It's so meaningful to hear this post resonated for you, though of course I'm sorry you've had to go through it. Two Houses looks like it's exactly my cup of tea and I look forward to reading. I've only taken the briefest glance so far, but I love your mother's painting of the same name. Also: it's hard enough going through a parent's mundane belongings—I can't imagine having to consider what remains of their artistic career. Though again, I'm eager to hear all about it.
Touching. I wonder if you know what her musical tastes were. I keep meaning to make a playlist of my young adult self's favorite music - to take with me into the time in old age that I will need it....
I do, and have tons of it on CD. (Music and poetry, allegedly, are the “last things to go.”) And while my mom will listen to a classical music station on a small radio with headphones, she doesn’t care for the CDs of Schubert’s Lieder and other classical works that once were her favorites. It’s a mystery! (Good idea to make that younger-self list!)