On Thursday, which was a rainy day, I was hurrying down a small side street, umbrella in hand, on my way to rehearsal. I heard a voice say, “Claudia?” I turned around and there was one of my former students, Brian. I hadn’t seen him in about 13 years, though we are in contact on Facebook. What are the odds that the two of us would happen to be on the same one-block-long side street at the same time in Hartford, CT? Turns out he’s in town with a touring production of a play – just for one week. (He’s had a very successful acting career on the stage.) That particular encounter made my day! Serendipity. We met again yesterday for coffee and spent a wonderful 90 minutes or so together, catching up on everything. He’s a lovely guy living a good life and I’m happy for him.
Though I’m not a mother of human children, I am a mother to my Scout and my sweet Winston and Riley who are no longer with us. And to all the former students that I have nurtured and trained and spent hours with; providing a sympathetic ear, being there when tears and fear and frustration overwhelmed them, giving a hug when needed, helping them through major life changes, sometimes providing a laugh when needed, always giving support. I’m proud of that. I’m proud that my former students want to see me and spend time with me. And I’m humbled when I hear that I’ve made a difference in their lives.
That has been my mothering experience and one I am most grateful for. I was meant to be a force in their lives, for however brief a period.
This Mother’s Day is a difficult one for me as my mother fades away from us, living in a state that is partly here and partly in another world. The mom I knew and loved, though still here physically, has been gone from us for a long time now. My heart breaks for her. And truly? I wish for her the shedding of her mortal body. Though I will mourn the loss of her physical presence here on earth, I will rejoice in her release from the straight-jacket-like existence in which she now exists. Love never dies. My connection to her will always be strong, whether in this life or in another plane of existence.
You’ve been the best mom ever. I love you.
Happy Mother’s Day to all of you moms. Though this is what I call a Hallmark Holiday, I know that it is a time for many of you to honor your moms and to be honored. Hopefully, we do that every day of our lives.
I’ve been piecing some more blocks for the quilt. I have 12 now and the quilt calls for 25. Each day, I try to make a couple more. Camille’s class concentrates on piecing and gives lots of tips for short-cuts in the piecing process. I, however, am taking my time as this process helps to fill some of my time here.
The carpeted floor is my design board.
I love this fabric.
Thank you for all the thoughtful, compassionate responses to my post From My Heart: What I Believe. I cried more than once when reading them and they confirm what I already know about my readers and friends: what wonderful, caring people you are.
Happy Sunday.
What a beautiful post Claudia, happy Mother’s Day to you!
xox
Lori
Good morning, Claudia:
Such a nice post about visiting with a former student, the celebration of your own mom and those beautiful quilt squares. I hope you enjoy a peaceful and creative day, my friend. I’ll be thinking of you.
Thanks also for visiting Brynwood and leaving a note on my post about my Nanny. I especially miss her this Mother’s Day. It seems the older I get, the more I cherish those few photographs and old memories.
xoxo
Donna
Sometimes a teacher provide the best nurturing ever. Sometimes that nurturing is best received by students who are blessed by a kind, supportive teacher.
Claudia – Your quilt is turning out beautifully! Happy Mother’s Day to you also! It is so hard to see our Mothers in a state where we can do nothing to help them but pray for them. My Mom didn’t last long once she got to that point and I will be eternally grateful for that. It’s a sad thing when their mind is gone.
Have a good day! When do you go home?
Judy
Muito comovente este post. É muito bom quando a gente sabe que fez a diferença na vida de uma pessoa e acho que isso também é ser um pouquinho mãe. Minha mãe já não está entre nós, mas concordo quando você diz que nossos laços são muito fortes e ultrapassam a fronteira da vida na terra. Um grande abraço, Claudia!
Zilda
I sit here with tears in my eyes. I am not a Mother either in the sense of the definition but I too am one to Boots and Greta and I hope to all my little RN’s I have nurtured through the years. My heart aches that your Mom is fading, they really are the most important people in our lives.
I am sure Scout is so happy your “Mom”
Again..love the colors in the quilt! I wish I could do that!
Hi Claudia,
I’m very fortunate for you and your lovely posts! You always know the right things to say..
it touches me and I thank you for that!! You are a Mom in your heart.. Happy Mother’s Day ;)
xo Liz
Sorry about the condition of your Mom!! It’s IS difficult to see the decline of a love one and losing the quality of life. Your quilt is wonderfully colorful!! Happy Mother’s Day!
Claudia I am so lucky to call you friend! Wishing you a wonderful day. ‘Mothering’ comes in many forms and nurturing is one of them. You ,my dear lady, are a nurturer! The quilt is going to be lovely!
hugs,
Linda
Claudia, I am sure you have been a mom to some of your students, too. I hope you have a pleasant stay while working. I know you miss being with Don and Scout. xoxo,Susie
Thank you Claudia for another sweet and sensitive post! In describing your interactions with your students, it sounds like you were being a Mother for each of them when they needed a smile, ear, or a hug! I know many great women in my children’s lives mothered them over the years, not just me! It does Take A Village. Sorry about your own sweet Mama. May she have peace soon from earthly trials. Your new quilt is so Happy!
A beautiful posting. My mom had Alzheimers for ten years, but we saw it coming for about five years before that. So I know what you mean. My mom was gone a long time before she died. It is such a cruel disease.
Glad you saw an old student. To know your work helped him to become successful is just like being a mom, and It’s always fun to catch up with everyone.
On my way to scrub the porch. Been doing it for over a week now. Can’t do too much at once because of my bad back, but it will get done and look so nice. No moss!!
I believe there are many ways in which women play the role of mother and you have certainly done that in many ways, Claudia ~ Happy Mother’s Day to you!!
Don’t forget that you mother me all the time and always have. You are a wonderful Aunt and a tremendous friend. That should all be celebrated on Mother’s Day.
Mere
Hi Claudia,
Perhaps Mother’s Day should be called Mothering Day, for it is the special THINGS a mother does that make her so very loved.
The quilt is coming along beautifully. Love the colours and patterns!
Poppy
Love is love Claudia..whether it be for your own child, someone else’s child or a cherished pet..If I had a child away from home I would be so grateful for someone like you to be there for him/her when I couldn’t be..To give them guidance and even hugs when they needed it..Yes, you certainly have had your share of Mothering in your life..So I say “Happy Mothers Day” to you..Maybe that is why you happened to cross paths with Brian at this time..To remind you of all the nurturing and “mothering” you have done for so many young people..You should be so proud of yourself dear Lady..Hugs!!
I thought of you when I woke up this morning. I knew it would be a hard day for you. You are a very special person, and your kind and loving heart touches all of us.♥
I hope you will share with us for Mother’s Day Pink Saturday.
Claudia, I have been away from blogging for the week because of our own sad family tragedy, but this heartfelt tribute to your mother made me remember my own mom, who lived her last year of life in a child-like existence, calling me “Mother” instead of by my name… and how much I cherished and loved her. You don’t have to have borne children to be a mother, and I guess you have learned that. I’d like to go ready your other post now…
Serendipitous indeed! To run into each other after all this time. Amazing! So glad you had a nice visit. Your mom’s situation is difficult. So hard to watch that happen to a loved one — to be physically there, but not mentally or emotionally. My wish is that however long I have on this earth, I will be healthy and of sound mind right up til the end. Your quilt is coming along nicely. Best wishes, Tammy
Claudia, this is so beautiful. I loved every word, and I wish you a very Happy Mother’s Day. You are a special lady, and when we no longer have our own mothers, I think it behooves each of us to be mothers to each other. Mine has been gone for 23 years this coming week.
XO,
Sheila
Just from reading your blog for a while now you ARE a mother in every sense of the word. A mother nurtures and teaches and cares. All of which you have done with your students and continue to do with actors with whom you work. And Don of course :) Your doggies past and present feel it too!!!!! Happy Mothers Day Claudia
Beautiful post Claudia…and Happy Mother’s Day to you too! I am so sorry to hear about your mom…How hard that must be for you. Have a blessed day. ;)
Lovely post and some of it very close to my heart. My momma dwells in that strange place as well. I know those thoughts exactly. The mourning is for the life already gone. I will rejoice for my momma’s release from this earth bound prison as well. Peace to your heart Claudia.
Linda L in Texas
So many of us have been in that place that it sounds like you are in with your mother. It’s not an easy journey, but there is much to learn from it. It helped me to tell my mother stories and sometimes those stories sparked a memory which led to her telling a story. It may not have had much detail, but it was meaningful just the same.
Hello Claudia,
I love reading your beautiful thoughts and words. They seem to flow so smoothly and always touch my heart.
I think it’s wonderful that you spent time with a former student and I’m sure that he is just one of the many that you have encouraged and helped to pursue their dreams.
You are such a sweet soul.
hugs and Happy Mother’s Day to you too.
Sissie
Such a thoughtful post Claudia. I agree that mothering comes in many forms and you have fulfilled many of them. My prayers go out to you and Meredith and your family as you cope with your Mom’s illness. My own mother died very suddenly when I was 29 and I fear I’ll never stop missing her and the things we didn’t get to do together. She never even saw two of my children and that breaks my heart. So…life goes on and I try not to dwell on the things I can’t change and to be thankful for what I do have in my life and that includes a mother-in-law who has always treated me as her own.
Blessings,
Betsy
You are such a wise and loving woman, Claudia…I know you have touched and blessed many lives! The quilt is going to be beautiful!
Lovely post…I’m so sorry that you’re watching your mom slowly slip away from you. So hard to see. Bless you for touching the lives of so many students and for loving your fur babies, too. xoxo