| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| katiedid |
Posted - Sep 29 2006 : 12:20:40 PM
Dear MaryJane,
I have just finished reading the Artists in Aprons issue. It is so full of great ideas, I loved it. However, the very best part of the magazine was your loving tribute to your Mother.
I remember reading your loving words about your father, I believe it was in your Shoulder To The Wheel issue...It tears me up to think of it. You see, that issue arrived in my mailbox shortly after the death of my Grandpa Ralph, and your loving words carried so many of the feelings I had for him. Just like your father Allen, my grandpa fed many, many people. He was an inventor too. In his funny little ways.
Sadly, my Grandma Lula has passed away, and like Helen, she was such a wonderful, loving, incredible woman. I am so sad to have this woman gone from my everyday life. Grandma Lula not only spoke of kindess, love, thriftiness, and hard work, she lived it! Just as your mother Helen did.
One day last month, I was so overwhelmed with sorrow and loss, I could hardly function. I opened my drawer, pulled out Granny's apron..it still smelled of her. I tied on the apron and set to work.
I got out the wheat grinder, poured and measured the hard white wheat. I pumped the handle of the grinder over and over and over. While I worked I thought of all the times my Granny had done this very thing...worked through her tears. I thought of how many times she had made bread for her family, I thought of the times she went without milk so her babies could drink. I thought of all the time she spent bent over her garden. All of the time she spent washing clothes by hand, carrying and heating water to bathe her children. I thought of all the life lessons she had taught me.
After grinding the wheat I made the dough, my tears ran down my face and onto her apron. I thought of her hands, old and crippled. Capable hands, hard working hands, loving hands. I remembered how she had taught me to bake bread, make pies, can fruit. I thought of all the hard work this woman had to endure, just to survive. As I made my bread that sad day I cried, and I gave thanks for being blessed to know such a woman. I am so thankful that she loved me. I am so thankful that she taught me, just by doing, just by being herself.
Dear MaryJane, this is why I am writing you, to thank you!
Thank you for being able to express so eloquently the loving feelings you have for your mother, for these are all of the feelings I have for our family's Matriarch.
This world is without a wonderful woman, two wonderful women, Helen and Lula.
May they rest in peace, and know that the rest of us on this earth are trying to be a fraction of the women they were.
Love and light to you, my friend, and my your sorrow be lightened.
Love,
Kate Talley
http://theknifemakerswife.blogspot.com/2006/07/knifemakers-wife.html |
| 12 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| mommom |
Posted - Oct 02 2006 : 11:08:56 AM
I never told anyone what I told you girls about my mother. And I thank you for listening to me. Your kind words and thoughts have uplifted me and I appreciate you all so much! In the Bible it says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." I realized that it doesn't say 'some things' or "a couple of things." Those ten words keep me going every day of my life. People have no idea what goes on in others lives. Stories like the one MJ wrote about her dear mother is a positive, moral story for other moms. Keep the faith...don't give up....and keep going even when you don't feel like it! Susan |
| katiedid |
Posted - Oct 01 2006 : 5:22:54 PM
Ann, you are so right!
Susan, what hero you are!
We all have such crosses to bear, so to speak...I know the wonderful Matriarch of our family, Grandma Lula had some horrible, hurtful experience, as I am sure Helen Butters did too.
The wonders of their lives is this: They chose to press on...these women (including you, Susan) are examples of love, of service, and most importantly of endurance.
MaryJane wrote of her parent's checkbook going down to just $1.89! I am sure Helen worried and cried over sick children, tragedy and death. But she chose to press on.
Our Grandma had a child out of wedlock at just 16, she had never been told anything about sex, she didn't have any idea what date rape was....she kept her pregnancy a secret until she was in labor, her child was born with nothing to wear, not even a diaper...Lula's brother had to walk to the neighbor's house to borrow 3 cloth diapers and a gown. Grandma Lula's father wouldn't speak to her for 8 months after her son Lowell was born..they lived in the same house and he refused to speak to her!
These stories, these horrible sad stories could go on and on...I could add my own. But the message I chose to remember, the torch I choose to carry, is the same one that you do Susan! I choose love. I choose work. I choose EachOther.
We can change! We can break the cycle and be better people, better neighbors, and most importantly, we can be better mothers!
I believe we can change the world by caring for our loved ones, by carrying on an example set by wonderful, strong women like Grandma Lula, like Helen Butters, and like you Susan.
And also like you Frannie, and Ann, Jenny, Libbie, and all the rest of the FarmGirls.
We can change the world one garden, one kitchen, one family at a time, by turning away from our loud, sensationalized world (Fear Factor comes to mind) and caring for our children with love and service....Like Helen and Lula.
Thanks so much, FarmGirls for sharing your thoughts and stories!
I am thankful to know and love you all.
Love and light to you and yours
Kate
my new blog http/www.theknifemakerswife.wordpress.com |
| Phils Ann |
Posted - Oct 01 2006 : 4:25:32 PM
Susan, it's hard to find words to say what I feel, reading your comments. To love and to change is a choice, and sometimes a very hard one because it has to be done over and over. We do have power to see what is unhealthy and to set our heart and will on doing differently. Ultimately, your mother lost so very much, whereas you have gained immeasurably by choosing to love. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Grace to you,
Ann
There is a Redeemer. |
| mommom |
Posted - Oct 01 2006 : 12:50:16 PM
Not all of us have had caring, nurturing mothers. My mother didn't want a girl....she wanted a boy. She called me a whore the first time I shaved my legs. The list goes on and on. But the good news is...I have always refused to treat my children with disrespect. I decided a long time before I even had them to be a different mom than the one I had. You see, I figure this vicious circle has to end with somebody...so why not me? I have a wonderful rapport with all five of my children. I want to be remembered and loved for being kind and fair; loving and gracious; and above all, for the memories and traditions I have tried to create over the years. I haven't spoken to my mom in years. When my dad died in 2003 she told me that she no longer felt obligated to keep in touch with me.
My children see that I am not bitter. My mother made a decision. I've made mine. I choose to be who I am. I am grateful that I have so much love in my heart for all my children...the boys and the girls. (men and women) We have the power to change situations and lifestyles. I'm so glad MaryJane had a wonderful mother. Susan |
| CabinCreek-Kentucky |
Posted - Oct 01 2006 : 11:59:09 AM
when i read stories and hear the words of the love and strength and gifts our mothers and our fore-mothers gave to us .. it makes me realize the importance of our being good and caring mothers to our own children and grand children, that they may remember us with love and smiles and tears of joy .. and that we, too, pass these remembrances to our forward generations. xo
True Friends, Frannie
CABIN CREEK FARM
KENTUCKY
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| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Sep 30 2006 : 11:55:10 PM
YOu have such a way with words Kate!!
I am thankful every day that I still have my mom..and that I had my beloved Grandma who taught me all I love to do for so many years. She passed away in 1992 but I think of her every day and use her favorite knife, and rolling pin, and look at some of her little kitchen doo dads and smile. She is still such a part of my life. I still catch myself wanting to call her to tell her about Mona being pregnant or one of the kids doing something special. I know she knows, but I sure miss her!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| Libbie |
Posted - Sep 30 2006 : 9:59:51 PM
These stories and accounts of mothering and mentoring are absolutely beautiful. Thank you for opening your hearts and souls here - I have found myself shedding more than one tear reading down this page, and I so, too, want to be "a fraction of the women they were."
I am so fortunate to have my mother and my two grandmothers still - all three of them have such amazing and unique strengths - thank you all for the gentle and heartfelt reminder to cherish them every moment that I can and learn all I can from them...
Thank you.
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| Libbie |
Posted - Sep 30 2006 : 4:08:31 PM
Post by "shepherdess" on 09/30/2006 - moved from a duplicate thread.
Hello Gals,
I spent the morning reading the new MARY JANES FARM magazine.It is a super,wonderful issue. When I had finished I closed the magazine and had a quiet little cry.There was so much in there that reminded me of my childhood, so much that I had forgotten about and so much I wanted to remember.
I had a wonderful mother and father. My mother was a stay at home mom who never learned to drive and who taught us about flowers, nature, fairies and love and family.My father (who was an alcoholic) worked very hard all his life. I only mention this because he was different from most alcoholics. He worked hard , took care of his family, loved his children and wife beyond everything and made a very good home for us. He was always there, never missed a day of work.I never remember him raising a hand to any of us.
I lost my mom when she was only 52 and my dad at 80.They were super parents and I miss them terribly. I have tried to pass on what I was taught to my children and grandchildren.
Most of the articles just hit so close to home.
This issue of Mary Janes Farm just made me a very happy farm girl.
Farm Girl from Western Washington
" From sheep to handspun.
http://mountainmorningfarm.blogspot.com
Farm Girl from Western Washington
" From sheep to handspun.
http://mountainmorningfarm.blogspot.com
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| Mumof3 |
Posted - Sep 30 2006 : 3:03:09 PM
Kate- What a beautiful letter. There is something transforming about being able to grasp onto the tangible things of women lives- your grandma's apron, someone else's clothespins, rolling pins, tatting shuttles, wooden spoons, a cast iron skillet. Those things that were used to nurture and provide for a family, day in and day out are what connect us, past and present.
My friend, Cilla and I met a woman today who is 102 years old. Her daughter, whom she lives with, is 83. Sitting under the shade of a tree, Big Lula and Little Lula,(same name as your grandma!) shared with us a brief glimpse into their lives. I noticed Big Lula's hands first, softened with age, streaked with blue, folded neatly in her lap. One hundred and two years of taking care of others. One hundred and two years of creativity. One hundred and two years of hard work. One hundred and two years of life.
That was a gift for us to receive today- to witness the enduring, pure love of a mother and a daughter. It is the gift that MaryJane shared with us in her tribute to her mother. It is a gift I hope we can all look forward to.
Karin
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| therusticcottage |
Posted - Sep 30 2006 : 08:36:30 AM
Kate - your words brought tears to my eyes. Especially the part about your grandmother's crippled hands. It reminded me of my Granny and her wonderful hands. She had arithritis in some of her knuckles so a few of her fingers were crooked. But I used to love to rub those hands with their smooth soft skin. I remember watching them making homemade noodles, sprinkling the laundry before ironing, hanging clothes out on the line, or holding my hand in church.
I loved the tribute to MaryJane's mother too. And the tribute to your grandmother is equally as beautiful. Aren't we lucky to have had such wonderful women in our lives to teach and guide us??
Handmade purses and bath delights at www.rusticcottagecreations.com |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Sep 29 2006 : 3:59:32 PM
Kate - Your words made me cry and feel immense joy. This is what the generations and the passing of the torch teaches us - that we grieve and we carry on all at the same time. Thank you for telling us again that we are the torch carriers, and we must not fail our daughters, our nieces, our grandaughters and our beloved families. It wrenches our hearts and makes our souls soar all at the same time. I hug my granddaughter and wish I could hug my mom. How sweet life is and how bitter, but how worth it! We must nourish and spread love at all costs.
And thank, Maryjane for letting us renew our memories of our moms along with you.
Jeannie
Peace |
| GaiasRose |
Posted - Sep 29 2006 : 12:57:39 PM
"....and know that the rest of us on this earth are trying to be a fraction of the women they were."
That is what I took away from it...I closed the magazine around my bookmarker and told Rob that MaryJane's mother was who I am aspiring to be like....My whole life she is the epitome of the woman I want to be remembered as...
I second the thank-you, MaryJane! You are a blessed daughter to have had SUCH a mother!!
~*~Brightest Blessings~*~
Tasha-Rose
blog: http://gaiarose.wordpress.com |
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