Our Mothers Themselves

As Mother's Day approaches, let's think about our moms in a completely unique and unconventional light, in a way we may have never have considered them... as people. Women, who were girls, and teenagers, and had diaries and pimples and dreams and aspirations, and talent. Lots of talent. My mom is a wonderful artist, especially with water colors. She is just creative in general, a centerpiece Goddess.... I think she inherited that from her mother. Every season comes with a new centerpiece on the dining room table. And who else would think of a heart shaped meatloaf for Valentine's Day? I've carried on that tradition and have evolved to other shapes, including apples, pumpkins, footballs, sham rocks and stalks of corn.

And my mom is a beautiful woman. I always thought she looked like Elizabeth Taylor in her teenage and young adult years. And she has style, dressed like Jackie Kennedy - before she was Jackie O. Now she's a Chico kind of lady, always with matching cool jewelry that she got at an art fair, not Kohls.

My mom taught me to be an independent thinker, even when all I wanted was for her to "just please tell me what to do!!!!" I don't know if she always appreciates my independent thinking now, but she only has herself to thank! :-)

We make fun of my mom a lot. Let's face it, she's an easy target. But I'm starting to feel guilty about that, because now that she is becoming a real person, it just seems mean. I don't like to be mean. So why have I allowed myself to be mean to the woman who gave me life? Who taught me how to make chocolate chip cookie dough, never mentioning we could bake them, as we rolled it all up in wax paper and threw it into the fridge for anytime snacking? Who gave up many of her own dreams so that my brother and I could follow ours?

So, this Mother's Day, I'm remembering Barbara Sue Boatright Bartison, artist, feminist, non-conformist (still doesn't have a debit card), devoted friend, teacher, and American beauty. Thank you for putting Barbie Sue aside all too many times, so Dana and Mark could be Dana and Mark. We love you!