If you know me, you probably know that my mother recently died. I've felt compelled to write about it, and in the process I've gotten back in touch with that long-dormant suspicion that I might have something to say that others might be interested in reading. And as I think and write about my mother, I am finding that she's all mixed up with lots of memories I have of life lived with her and without her, with other people I've loved and places I've been. Thornton Wilder had Emily Gibbs say this about it:
"....It goes so fast. We don't have time to look at one another. I didn't realize. All that was going on in life and we never noticed. Take me back-- up the hill-- to my grave. But first: Wait! One more look. Good-by, Good-by, world. Good-by, Grover's Corners, Mama and Papa. Good-by to clocks ticking, and Mama's sunflowers. And food and coffee. And new-ironed dresses and hot baths, and sleeping and waking up. Oh, earth, you're too wonderful for anybody to realize you. Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it?-- every, every minute?"
I'm not saying good-bye, but since my mother so recently has, the necessity to realize life while I live it, every, every minute, seems clear. To Emily's question, the Stage Manager replied, "Saints and poets, maybe..." I'm no saint or poet, but nevertheless, here goes.
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I'm a follower now - I just signed on with my gmail. Reading about the phone messages and how you can still hear her voice made me cry. Several years ago I taped several interviews with my mother - I have them on cassettes and have been meaning to transcribe them for ages. Maybe I will now!
ReplyDeleteThat passage in Our Town was always my favorite. Remember we did it in high school?
ReplyDeleteMy other favorite is this one: Emily: Ma, am I pretty? Ma: Pretty enough for most normal purposes.