Memories of Mom

Our mother died on January 4, 2025 at a seemingly (to us) young 79 years old. It's definitely not how one expects or hopes to start a new year, but…

Memories of Mom #32

My paternal grandfather took a picture of my teenage parents sitting on the grass, Mom looking up at Dad adoringly, enthralled with his guitar playing. The hormone-driven look of teenagers…

Memories of Mom #31

For a stretch, Mom cut her hair extremely short, almost butch, very out-of-the-ordinary for the locals. The church next to our first house in Green Island occasionally held events that…

Memories of Mom #30

In addition to a wife, partner, and best friend, my marriage also brought (official) three step-children into my life. With the signatures on a marriage license, Mom acquired three step-grandchildren…

Memories of Mom #29

The drive from New York City to Westport, Connecticut to visit our grandparents took one of two routes: the Connecticut Turnpike or the Merritt Parkway. Though comparable in distance and…

Memories of Mom #28

Tuesday, October 13, 1981, appeared to be like any other school day: wake up, get dressed, eat breakfast, and catch the school bus. And essentially that's what happened. I went…

Memories of Mom #27

Mom insisted that her children follow some basic principles or precepts that she reiterated throughout childhood and which I still abide by: Don't use the N-word. Always wear a seat…

Memories of Mom #26

Growing up, education was always important to Mom, and ultimately became her profession for over forty years. An oft-mentioned teaching job that Mom desired was Reading Teacher, running a full-time…

Memories of Mom #25

After I turned four, Mom enrolled me in New York City's Pre-K program while we lived in Manhattan, I believe in the same building as the local elementary. I can…

Memories of Mom #24

My uncle was a professional magician whom amazed us with his tricks: he once "guillotined" his mother, my grandmother, slicing the carrot under her neck without any injury to her,…