I’ve never really done a Mother’s Day tribute during my 5 years of blogging. I think now would be a good time to correct that egregious oversight.
I lost my mother in 2008. She was 87 and though her body was failing her, she continued to be blessed with a sharp mind. She was born in 1921 in Elmira, New York. For the last 13 years of her life, she lived close to us so Patty and I could assist her as she progressed to a walker and finally a wheelchair. Otherwise, she lived independently right up until the end.
She was an accomplished award-winning artist. If you’d like to see some of her prized miniature oil paintings, you can read my blog on that fascinating avocation here.
But probably the best way to inform you about her life is through pictures. So let’s do that.
This picture is appropriately captioned: “Pensive Betty Jane.”
Well, I’ll “bee”…..ready for Halloween.
Always the fashionable one in the neighborhood. (at far right)
Some quality time with Daddy. He died when she was only 14.
She modeled for a big department store as a young woman.
Official modeling photo.
Her youngest son graduates from college.
Her first photo as “granny.””
A four generation “gals” picture with her first great grandchild.
I often think back about the many times I disagreed with her point of view on life. As I protested why she was making me do one thing or another, she always countered with the most irrefutable reasoning: “because Momma says!” But, as I’m sure many of you have experienced, as one moves through each stage of life, one realizes how often mothers were dead-on correct about so many of those things.
Happy Mother’s Day, Mom.
Oh, and you were right!!
The Cvillean 
Beautiful pictures!! She reslly was stunning Al, and you look just the same as you did in your graduation photo!!
What a lovely portrait of your mother and the love you feel and felt for her shines out of the entire post.
Love this, Al. She was a beauty!
She was a stunning woman, Al. I can see where you get your height from. 😉
Seriously, a tender and lovely tribute to your mom. I bet she would be proud.
You’ve been blogging for 5 years? I just reached my 5th anniversary on WP. Go figure! That makes us seriously old timers in the social media world, you know, right? 😐
Thanks, Lorna, glad you enjoyed it.
I actually blogged for a year before I moved over to WP so actually it’s 6 years now. But I’m a true old-timer, not a young pup like you! Which reminds me, hows your new baby doing?
He’s doing great, Al. Thanks for asking. He graduated from puppy elementary school, but has forgotten his lesson about not jumping up on people when greeting them. So it’s back to the books for him! He’s such a delight, though. I didn’t realize how much I had stopped laughing until he came along. I laugh every day because of some silly thing he does. Scrappy was a wonderful dog. All my dogs were special in their own ways. Fozzie, he’s a winner, though. I think they make them smarter, cuter, and sweeter each time you get one. That seems right, huh? 🙂
What a lovely tribute to a lovely woman. It is scary how smart our mothers get as we get older, isn’t it?
Great job, Al – I’m sure your mom is smiling down at you all the time.
Thanks so much, Peg. She also had a great sense of humor so now you know who to blame for me being such a wisea–!
What a beautiful son she raised and her start led you to Patty, a beautiful soul. I love you and this post. ❤
You are so kind, Jane. Glad that you will get to meet this wonderful soul as well.
Al , what a wonderful loving tribute to your mother. The proof to how well she helped mold you is to recognize the caring authentic man you are today.
Thank you so much, Carolyn. That is the ultimate compliment.
Wonderful post Al and what a beauty she was. My Mom was born in 1916. You are younger than I thought.
We’ve already established we are only one year apart. But both very young at heart, no?
All special treasures of family, fashion and social history. Your mom’s paintings are amazing.
Thanks Marie. I just wish more people could enjoy them.
She looks and sounds like a beautiful, wonderful woman.
Thanks for the nice comment, Mary.
How beautiful your mom was Al. I love that she used “because Momma says”. I often found myself trying to reason with my kids as to why I was making a particular decision on their behalf. As they would argue away, when I ran out of options, I used to say to them, “because I am the mother & I said so. I earned this right & some day when you are a parent, you will have the same kind of power!”
Thanks, Lynn. It always stopped me in my tracks!
See? Power!
Lovely tribute to a beautiful woman and dedicated Mom. You are a lucky man!
You’re right, Marie. I still am a lucky man as many of the things she taught me resonate still. Thanks for commenting.
What a beautiful tribute to a lovely lady. Love the “old” black and white photos as well as the more recent ones. I think she would be happy about this blog post!
Thanks, Cindy. I hope people will click on the link to see what a spectacular artist she was. They are now a family treasure.
She was beautiful, Al, as well as raising a wonderful, clever son.
That’s a sweet comment, Bernice. She is proof that many good things come out of Elmira. The same could be said for you.
Thank you, Al. You’ll always be my pal Al, and never forget, I knew you when.
Yes. I worry about that every day!
The things I could tell about young Al. 🙂