89 Years Ago Today

A remarkable woman was born. My mom. She was raised to poor parents who worked as tenant farmers. They literally lived on the land (in tents) and ate the fruit of their labor. She and her siblings went to school part of the year but were pulled when the crops came in. Every extra hand was needed as they were paid by the crop they were able to harvest. Her father was a cowboy. The real life "gunsmoke/bonanza" type. No education but could break a horse and rope just about anything. A quiet stern man who believed that his wife should be obedient and that his children should be seen and not heard. Her mother never learned to read or write (having been born in 1900 in a time when women, especially poor ones, had "no need" for such nonsense). She had one brother and two sisters and they lived a simple life. They were very close (due to my grandmother) and even though life was hard, there was love aplenty. My mom never went to school past the 8th grade. She married a dashing young Italian soldier and moved to New York to live with his family and give him four children. They lived the "typical" (as seen in the movies) Italian life, complete with a family compound, controlling matriarch and a husband who had a constant mistress. Ultimately she gathered her strength and as a single mom (back when divorce was RARE) with no education and very little money she came home to Texas and never looked back. She worked double shifts as a waitress and ultimately learned to drive. She raised four kids in a two bedroom/one bath home. In the early years the going was hard and they were poor. So poor that a neighbor offered to adopt her only little girl so that it would ease the financial burden. (not to mention the fact that the child was "adorable") And by the way, she kept the child!!! She eventually got on at General Telephone and worked her way to a middle class job. By that time her older kids were grown and her younger ones were in high school. In time, the house got paid for and she bought herself a new car (first one in her life) and started "fixing" up the house. We were in high cotton (which a tenant farmer knows means good crop and $$$$) She ultimately retired from that company with many friends. Her kids all "made good" and she is proud of them. She is still as sharp as a tack but her body has failed her through crippling osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. She placed HERSELF in a nursing home and is loved by the clients and the staff. She checks on and takes care of what she calls "the little old people" where she lives. She has a strong faith and throughout our growing up I NEVER knew we were poor. I knew we didn't have as much as other kids but it never felt bad to me. Most of her immediate family and close friends are gone. Yet she loves life and cherishes each day. EVERYTHING about me that is good, decent, kind and fair, came from my mom. She taught me so much and continues to do so even now. I respect her. I admire her. AND I love her VERY MUCH. Happy Birthday Mom............you are amazing!!!