Tuesday, March 8, 2011

International Women's Day, March 8th

In honour of International Women's Day, another blogger suggested sharing something written by a female ancestor. I hope to find time to dig up and read the many letters that my mother wrote to me when I lived a letter's distance or more away, but I can't do that today. So, I don't have much close at hand, but I do have a short excerpt from a diary entry that Mom wrote in 1996. (She only wrote in a diary very sporatically toward the end of her life, mostly at my urging.)

June  28, 1996
The reason I picked this book up - I want to start putting down some of my thoughts. For instance: today George went to Edmonton with Eric and I decided to clean some windows and put my "Les Miserables" tape in the player (I only play it when I'm alone). While I was rub-a-dub-dubbing the windows and singing along with the music, I recalled a day a few months ago at Debra's when she, Dawn and I were listening to the same music and Dawn and Deb broke into song. (We three saw Les Mis together at the Jubilee and loved it). Anyway, they were both singing their hearts out and altho I laughed, because they don't really have classic voices, it was one of the special moments of my life, they most likely have no idea how happy I was to see the closeness between them or how very much I love them. I only wish the same closeness could be shared with the boys, maybe someday!

Thanks Mom, for taking the time to put down your thoughts. If you were here you would know that our voices haven't gotten any better, but you will be pleased to know that my sister and I both listen to our favourite music as loud and as often as we please, regardless of whether we are alone or not. Debra in particular, still favours the music from Les Miserables, whereas I remain partial to the Phantom of the Opera. Of course, there is no such thing as a "tape player" anymore, we listen to our music on iPods. You wouldn't be into iPods because you didn't like putting things in your ears, but they also have docking stations. I know, sounds weird, hey? I am sure you will be happy to learn that since you have left us, both of your "girls" have actually shared moments of real closeness with one or the other of our brothers. We'll try to get a few more in, in your honour.

Happy International Women's Day, Mom. This one's for you.

4 comments:

  1. I remember that day. In Beaumont. We sounded horrible, but we laughed our asses off. Can I say, 'asses' on here?

    What a lovely memory, thank you.

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  2. Dawn - what a powerful post, finding the gift of your mother's words and putting them on stage in light of this special day. Something about the act of doing that magnifies the portent of the happy memory you shared. Thank you also for posting the Les Mis song. I absolutely love that one. Keep writing - thank you!

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  3. This is lovely. How lucky you are to have those words from your mother. Thanks for sharing.

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  4. Thank you for your kind words, Stacey and Stacey. It was a real gift to remember that our mother had written something "sweet" and to pull out that book and remind myself about it. Even nice to share it on here, this place that is becoming my "heart space." And a true joy to share it here knowing that my Baby Sister would read it, and be warmed by the memory. And yes, Baby Sister, you can say ass on here.

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