Today would have been my Mother's 89th birthday. This is a shot of a picture that hangs in my dining room. I made a website for my brother in law, Ross Silburn, the artist here. He was very grateful and told me he would do any picture that I wanted. I thought he meant he would do a little something with one of my dogs. But he meant any! I had found a photo in my Mother's wallet after her stroke. It was just a little one that was cut to fit there. I had it blown up into a 5x7 for him and he presented me with this portrait of my parents. The stroke took Mom's speech so this was either the day they got married or the day they told folks they were getting married. Sad that I am not sure which.
Anna Jane Holloway Custer was a strong woman that grew up during the depression and quit high school to help support her family during World War II. She was a bookkeeper most of her working life. I was here only child - her constant project. Even after the stroke when I was caring for her she was always trying to care for me.
She told me I could do and be anything I wanted in this world - what a gift. She was a loving and present Mother and Grandmother - and always loved to have fun.
She lived for five years after a massive stroke that took her speech and her mobility. But even when you can't talk you can sing. That ability lies in the opposite side of your brain. So we sang. All of the old songs. When she had to go in to nursing care, when I couldn't lift her anymore, we continued to sing there. Folks that worked there would come up to her and start her off. "You Are My Sunshine" became her anthem. We sang that as her memorial service.
She would have been pleased.
She was a beautiful woman. Thanks for sharing her story. You are my sunshine reminds me of my grandfather. He sang that to my grandmother when he was dying of cancer. It still haunts me.
What a beautiful tribute to your Mom. You were her special daughter and it shows it the relationship you had, which is something to treasure. It's a beautiful picture, we don't see ones like that anymore and I know how much you must miss her. I use to sing that song in the Retirement/Nursing homes all the time, with my piano player and by myself. Everyone loves it, as it brings them a ray of hope. How nice that your Mom could still sing after her stroke.
This is such a beautiful picture and tribute to your mother ..... I am glad she could sing.....you are a very special person ... It can be seen in your photos and in the words you write .... The story brings tears to my eyes and really hits home for me
What a gorgeous portrait and beautiful tribute to your Mom, Cathy. My Mother had a stroke also and could no long walk or barely hold a fork. She could talk, however, and never ever complained about anything. I didn't know about the ability to sing even tho one could no long talk. That's such a beautiful thing .. your Mom was quite the woman. Indeed.
A wonderful tribute to your beloved mother Cathy & you were a wonderful daughter to her! She brought you up well & would have been as proud of you as you were of her! I will remember that about the singing! The website shows us a talented artist, his portraits are superb.
Such a wonderful tribute to your mother!!! I love the artwork, too! Your "BIL" is very talented! Great story and bittersweet memories for you, Kathy! My mother loves that song, too. Hugs!
Nothing new to say ,Cathy! Everyone has already said it all. You have a great talent for a good story and your words are very inspiring! Your photography is great too1
Poignant story, lovely portrait of your loving mother and father. I have a similar story about my Mother who suffered stroke and eventually ended up in a nursing home. She used to sing 'I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles."
Beautiful memories to share... beautiful portrait of your mother and father. You have a very talented brother-in-law. Thank you for sharing your memories and keepsake.
@cdonohoue The older I get the more I miss my Mom, and like you, I had the most wonderful childhood, full of happy memories. I always consider it a compliment when someone tells me I am so much like my mother!
A very moving and poignant story Cathy. This is one of the wonderful things about 365, that it gives us the chance to share our stories and express ourselves. Your mum sounds as if she was a wonderful woman, whose memory still burns brightly in you. Long may that continue.
Great tribute and story, Cathy. Thanks for sharing. Mums of that - and I would say this - generation were/are so dedicated to their families. I am not sure if today's children would be the same, unfortunately.
Love this portrait--what a special gift from your brother in law. This is such a lovely story, Cathy. Isn't it wonderful to have those memories. I didn't know about the singing even if you can't speak--so wonderful that you and your mom could still sing together.
@calm Exactly! We are the lucky ones. I hear such horror stories of the generation being raised right now. @gennywren Didn't mean to make anyone share my tears yesterday - but thank you for doing so. @wannabe That she was. @seanoneill It will continue until we are together again. @sangwann I agree completely. There are way fewer stories like mine in this coming generation....and it is scary.
@meoprisan Thank you! @tesssa Thanks Tessa. He is. @yonnie I didn't have any idea until the Speech Therapist told us. So we sang a lot.
Oh Cathy, what an amazing and beautiful story of your mom. Very moving. You have to be proud of her as she was of her "project" -her dearest daughter!!! The picture is gorgeous.
This picture is even more special because an artist can put the emotion into a picture whereas a camera can only reflect! Sad about the stroke - my sister in law is in the same situation - cant talk or walk. I did notice she hummed along to a tune I played to her on the iPad so that is something we can offer to those who visit her! She lives far away now in a nursing home!
@maggiemae Tell whoever is around here to sing the old songs- the ones that she would have known the longest. My Mom could sing. I used to make her sing "Happy Birthday" to me so that I could hear her say my name.
My thanks to all of you. Not my work today - my BIL. I miss my Mom more the older I get. I get more like her all the time - and that is not a bad thing at all. Living here in this house where I grew up I am surrounded by memories. I grew up in Camelot and knowing that you were blessed is the biggest blessing. I had great parents and a wonderful childhood - none of the bad stories that you hear. The worst thing that I remember is that I wasn't allowed to have a pet until I was 16 and old enough to get a part time job. I loved that dog!
So thank you all for letting me remember my Mother today.
@gennywren Didn't mean to make anyone share my tears yesterday - but thank you for doing so.
@wannabe That she was.
@seanoneill It will continue until we are together again.
@sangwann I agree completely. There are way fewer stories like mine in this coming generation....and it is scary.
@meoprisan Thank you!
@tesssa Thanks Tessa. He is.
@yonnie I didn't have any idea until the Speech Therapist told us. So we sang a lot.