This is a photo of my mom, age late 30s or 40.
This is a picture of a drawing that my daughter Jessica drew from that photo and surprised me for my birthday one year. No one had any idea that Jessica could draw, since her brother Casey is the artist in the family. I thought she enlarged the photograph until I looked closer through teary eyes.
The image here doesn't do the drawing justice as it is amazing the detail involved. This was all done in pencil and the first thing Jessica drew in Ms. Marie's art class during high school.
Alvera Helen (Bippen) Moellering had turned 53 years old two weeks prior to her death, battling breast cancer. I had turned 12 years old three months prior, and in nine months I will be her age when she died.
Although it’s been 40 years, sometimes it feels like yesterday and at other times it feels like many life times ago. It is what it is and I try not to dwell in the past, but I have a lot I would like to share with her, giving me a reason to blog and keeping disciplined at writing on a regular basis.
Dear Mom,
On the 40th anniversary of your death, my heart aches. I love you and miss you still.
Lynn, brevity is an art. In that simple sentence, accompanied by the photo and your daughter's wonderful sketch, you have written a complete heartfelt letter. Never stop writing your "letters". Let this be the catalyst for your future writing success!
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda. You're an inspiration and I appreciate all your encouragement.
ReplyDeleteLynn, absolutely beautifully written. Thanks for letting me know your blog is out there.
ReplyDeleteHarvey
very nice...i also notice a hillbilly peeking over a frame...ha ha!
ReplyDeleteHarvey, that's saying something coming from you Mr. Editor! Eventually I will put everyone's sites on this blog. Thank you Harvey.
ReplyDeletePeat, I wondered if you would notice your hillbilly - he's so cool, I have to have him displayed. Thanks Peat.
ReplyDeleteI really, truly believe that she gets every word from you, spoken and unspoken.
ReplyDeleteYour daughter is a great talent.
Hugs, and I'm so glad you're doing this. I have never mastered being concise... ha.
Thanks Julia! You certainly have mastered being concise - all those poems of yours. My hand-written journal is like your blog, so this will be a challenge to keep this blog around 250 words.
ReplyDeleteHi Lynn! I'm thrilled to see you in blog-land! What a beautiful tribute to your mom. And, wow, your daughter is an amazing artist! I'll share a little something with you. My mother also died in the month of March. It was March 7, 1989. My youngest son was only a year and a half, but fortunately she had seen him a few times.(She lived in Iowa.) Thanks for starting your blog. I will be a faithful follower!
ReplyDeleteHi Lynn. Thanks for sending me your blog link.
ReplyDeleteI think when someone important to us dies - especially when we are so young - time splits. Our brain continues in real time trudging forward. Our heart gives a piece of itself to that timeless swirling place of memory, wonder, and longing. So long as we are body and spirit, it will always be so.
Lovely, Lynn. So heartfelt!
ReplyDeleteThat certainly touched MY heart! Jessica really put her heart into the amazing drawing of your mother, knowing how much it will mean to you. What a tribute to your love...and now your love is shared with us through your touching writing....
ReplyDeleteHi Becky - thank you and sorry about your mother too! How sweet that you will be a faithful follower!
ReplyDeleteKassie, that was a nice thing to say, thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mary! That means a lot.
ReplyDeleteJoan, the love you have for art obviously touched all three of my children, so thank you for all you have done. It all circles around, doesn't it? I'm so overwhelmed and grateful.
ReplyDeleteWell Done Day One Mom :)
ReplyDeleteWell Done Day One Mom! :)
ReplyDeleteYou're in my thoughts today,Lynn! I know your mom is looking down and smiling at you and all you have accomplished in you life and there's so much more to go! Keep at it! Love your blog!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rita!
ReplyDeleteThat was sweet Bud, thank you.
ReplyDeleteHi Lynn - I found you through Linda O'Connell. Your daughter's drawing is beautiful; she has such talent! Your letter is a perfect illustration of the phrase "brevity is a virtue" -- volumes spoken with few words. I don't believe we ever "get over" the death of our parents. Rather, I believe our coping skills simply improve with time.
ReplyDeleteGod bless -
Lisa
Lynn,
ReplyDeleteAh, now I know why you wanted to know the date of the picture of Mom. You are so creative! The blog about Mom and the timing of it touches my heart. It is a day, as is her birthday, that consumes my thoughts and my emotions in a peaceful kind of grief; and it appears no one seems to remember those dates that are so meaningful to me. So, when I read your blog, my heart stopped, my grief and gratitude overwhelmed me, and once again I find I am blessed to have such a thoughtful, talented, and kind sister.
I remember so well how young and fragile, yet strong and resilient, you and Ruth were when Mom passed. It seemed so not right for two sweet little girls to have lost this woman who you never really got to know. What I can tell you is she would be very proud of you and all you have accomplished and overcome in your life. Plus she would have adored your three fabulous children, much as I do!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for keeping Mom alive through your blog. It means more to me than I can ever express.
S
Lovely post and wonderful inspiration. I don't think we ever get over losing our mom, do we?
ReplyDeleteAnd the portrait done by your daughter is amazing. What a talented young lady!
Pat
www.critteralley.blogspot.com
Lisa, thank you for visiting this blog. I'm overwhelmed at the response. I appreciate you taking the time.
ReplyDeleteWell Big Sis, thank you, thank you. I thought I was being notified when the responses came in, but I missed the last three, so sorry for the late response. This is all new to me... being responsible for a blog :-) Your words meant a lot as do you.
ReplyDeletePat, thank you for your kind words. I will check out your blog too - as many others that I need to check out soon.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post about your mom. I wish I could have known her.
ReplyDeleteWhen my mother and father(Ed and Hilda Meyer) lived at Desloge's, your mother and father would come to visit on a Sunday. I can remember how my mother used to say that Vera really loved Mom's lemonade. I would imagine the two Eds were enjoying a brew.
ReplyDeleteVictoria-I wish you could have too, along with my children.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous-thanks for sharing, makes me want to have some of your mom's lemonade!
Mom, this blog is wonderful. I'm so proud of you for sharing such intimate and well written posts. Your mother would have been proud too. I feel so lucky to have such an incredible woman as my mother.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful picture and a beautiful post!
ReplyDelete