One month from today will be the 25th anniversary of my mother's death. She was 79 years old at the time. I mention this because the weather in southern California today leads me to offer a memory about Mom now rather than on January 17.
I moved to the L.A. area from Springfield, Illinois to start a new job in January, 1982. At that time, my mother was living here. The weather was delightful! I moved from snow and slush and cold to sunny days and warm weather. That seemed like heaven. Then as Spring arrived, the sun was harder to find. It seemed like it appeared only briefly during April, May and June (contrary to Chamber of Commerce claims). I learned new terms from local TV weathermen; they referred to fog as the "marine layer" and the daily lack of sunlight as "June gloom."
One day as I was complaining about the continually overcast weather, my always optimistic mother proclaimed to me, "The sun shines every day in southern California. Some days you just have to wait a little longer for it to appear." For the most part Mom was right. There were only a few exceptions; today was one of them. We are having our 2nd rain storm in a week. (I'm not looking for sympathy from my freezing, snowbound friends in other parts of the country.) Today, I did not see any sunshine.
Alas, my mother's assertion was wrong today. But that's all right. Just thinking about her and that statement brings a smile to my face nearly 25 years after her death. Once again I think of how "wise" I was in the "selection of my parents." :-D
I still miss you Mom!
4 comments:
A very nice tribute. I'm worried about my mom at the moment. She is getting pretty feeble it seems.
Your post made me cry. The hole in one's soul never closes, does it?
Extremely nice sentiments Leon. One never does forget their parents words.
I know what you mean about the weather, we have a severe storm warning in effect right now.. :(
CHARLES - Thank you. And I do hope your mom gains strength and allays your fears.
SHAUNA - It's not really a hole. I always feel that as long as there are people who have good memories about someone who is gone, that person continues to live. My parents are still very much alive for me.
ERIC - Thank you my friend. No, we don't forget their words. And occasionally we will scold our children and then think, "I vowed I would never use those words of my father with my children." But we do. ;~D
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