Sunday, February 08, 2009

Twins, 89 today, different but connected


A lot of colors and designs make up this blanket. It was put together from pieces of material and from various things that were in a “special cedar chest” that my Mother had. Often as I grew up I would go through the cedar chest to see what secret treasure it contained. I think most of the fabric pieces had been in the chest from before I was born and some had come from my Grandmother. I am not sure what was ever intended for the fabric but they came together in this quilt with some help from my Sister in Law, Ann.

I knew the Cedar Chest needed to go to my Sister but when my Dad asked me on one of several occasions what I would like from the house I asked for the fabric scraps from inside the chest.
I recall a picture of myself as a young boy in a “silk” shirt? Too bad I didn’t get that cut up and put into the blanket too.

The value of the blanket now that it is put together is very high compared to the bag of various fabrics that I took, at least it is too me.

Today my Mom would be 89. Her twin Sister, Leta is 89 today. Twins have a connection that is very important. I know that because my Mother told me so many times. They needed each other and were often at peace when they were together in a way that was not accomplished any other way.

Mom’s Twin was stronger. Mom lost a year of school when she was young to being sick and her Sister waited for her. She spent much of her life wishing that her Dad had not thought of her as "the weak one". Of course I know her better than I do my Aunt but it does seem that she was the more emotional one and as her oldest I often had occasion to hear her express her feelings about wanting to have more of her own identity. She pushed her self on the Piano and in part did it because it was "her".

My mother taught me a lot of things.

She taught me to “fight”, once pushing me to defend myself. On that one occasion I did defend myself and lost, but really I won, and mostly lost the fear of a tough fight.

She taught me that a lot of feelings could be behind how one perceives things.

She taught me a lot about unconditional love but then that what motherhood is………..

A few weeks ago I had occasion to see Leta. She is indeed the “strong one”. My earliest recollections include memories of my Aunt Leta. I remember walking up to her and tugging on her dress when I was less than 4 years old and being embarrassed that it was not my Mom. I knew who my Mom was.

They were different, but connected……………………..

1 comment:

Katie Nelson said...

this is a nice tribute to your Mom.