Were she alive, my mother would be 97 years old on Wednesday, March 14, 2012. I have this picture of her, taken I suspect, when she was about 10 -12 years old.
I just love the Shirley Temple style curls - though I think they are pre-Shirley Temple. As I look at this photo, lots of memories and questions come to mind; mostly, I'd like to ask her about her childhood to fill in the blanks that are mine.
This is what I remember/know about Mama:
She was the oldest of 4 girls...
She was the church pianist and organist. In fact, she read and re-read The Bible several times during church services...
She was an avid reader and when she was about this age, she was given permission to read books from the adult collection because the librarian knew Mama had read all the children's books, many times over...and it was time for her to move on...
She read practically everything: classics; fairy tales; science books; history; biographies; books about opera...
She could climb out her second-floor bedroom window into a tree and sit there and read for as long as there was light; this kinda infuriated her sisters who wanted her to play with them...
Throughout her childhood and entire life, my mother was a reader and in her adult life, a librarian.
My sister and I are both readers, thanks to our mother, though I doubt that we'd climb out into a tree, right Connie?
Cheers~
what a wonderful tribute - reading is a timeless pleasure, and I know she'd be proud of you!
Posted by: Mary | 03/14/2012 at 05:19 AM
I truly miss her everyday!
Posted by: Honore (cissy) Hollowell-Dzisam | 03/14/2012 at 06:31 AM
Thanks for writing this!!
Posted by: Honore (Cissy) Hollowell-Dzisam | 03/14/2012 at 06:32 AM
No, I wouldn't climb out on a tree. It's true though. If I was reduced to one or two thoughts regarding our mother, it would be her love of reading/books and her grand/great-grand children. I feel somber today and I miss her. What I would do to roll back the clock to the earlier days.
Happy Birthday, Mama!
Posted by: Constance H Francois | 03/14/2012 at 12:41 PM
Oops. I have to add one more: Her love of music, especially opera and other forms of classical music! These three reading, grand/great-grand children and music. That's Mama!
Posted by: Constance H Francois | 03/14/2012 at 12:45 PM
What a beautiful picture of a truly lovely woman. I wish I had known her longer. You were so blessed to have her for your mother!
Posted by: Pat | 03/14/2012 at 12:51 PM
Hi Connie Thanks for the picture My mom did say she met your mom very long time ago. I did not have the pleasure to meet my aunt, i did get to meet Uncle leonard though....I did send you one of the few pictures i have of my father...BYW one of my brother's birthday was Mon 12th His name is Antoin Francois......I wish i had met my aunt... I love piano and and ogan music!!..I took lesson's years ago and am getting back to the keyboard!!! ........My father never said much but one day my brother brought a sax from school and he played it very well!!!.....Much love........ Monique Antoinette Francois....
Posted by: Monique Francois | 03/14/2012 at 06:40 PM
Hello Connie and Honore,
I join you in wishing your mother happy birthday. She was one of the most compassionate
and highly intellectual persons I have known during my lifetime. Speaking of books,
I remember a very fascinating set of American history books she let me read once.
They were unique in their perspective and very enjoyable. She was very special.
Posted by: Miekel Sr. | 03/16/2012 at 12:57 PM
Well I did not know her at all,
But she is my great-grandmother and I still have a lot of love for her.
she is a Very beautiful woman.
~M'Chae Hollowell (Daughter of Miekel Hollowell Jr.)
Posted by: M'Chae Hollowell | 03/16/2012 at 03:11 PM
Such a lovely photo and piece of writing ... It is always sad when there are things we don't know and have no way of finding out... (My Mum was a librarian too!).
Posted by: alexa | 03/26/2012 at 08:51 AM