Sometimes all that hardship and abuse makes a hard and abusive person. Your mother rose above that. She must have been pretty amazing. I can understand why her room holds special memories for you.
You are right . She could have gone either way, but she chose life. You remember in Bartle Clunes how little Eli's mom ran away from her alcoholic father only to become a drinker herself.
Oblivious to the possibility that there's a mother-daughter nexus at the heart of the story, I got all the way down to "My mother inspired us" and was jolted into a whole new dimension. What a masterful way of leaving unsaid a key piece of information to boost its impact when finally revealed! I'll be sure to try this in my writing.
I was lucky in being an "academic immigrant" in America of the 1970s--and having some unforgettable Greek Americans give me both material and emotional support. And, to my surprise, I took to all this vast change like a "veteran" ... which, of course, I wasn't! Good ole days of real hope and fun times. I wish I could go back and do it all over again... (and then I land back down to dreary reality with a thud).
Thanks James Ron. I may have a couple more stories about her life possibly around Christmas time, but I have most of what I wanted to say in writing now. It was a long project.
So beautiful, Sharron. The Katy Memoir is such a gorgeous collection of wonderful stories, and I'm so grateful to you for reminding me of an absolutely beautiful series of posts. Thank you. ☺️
"...Katy rose above her history. She decided that her past did not have to determine her future."
Sometimes all that hardship and abuse makes a hard and abusive person. Your mother rose above that. She must have been pretty amazing. I can understand why her room holds special memories for you.
You are right . She could have gone either way, but she chose life. You remember in Bartle Clunes how little Eli's mom ran away from her alcoholic father only to become a drinker herself.
Oblivious to the possibility that there's a mother-daughter nexus at the heart of the story, I got all the way down to "My mother inspired us" and was jolted into a whole new dimension. What a masterful way of leaving unsaid a key piece of information to boost its impact when finally revealed! I'll be sure to try this in my writing.
Thank you Jim. I am happy you liked the way this little story played out.
I was lucky in being an "academic immigrant" in America of the 1970s--and having some unforgettable Greek Americans give me both material and emotional support. And, to my surprise, I took to all this vast change like a "veteran" ... which, of course, I wasn't! Good ole days of real hope and fun times. I wish I could go back and do it all over again... (and then I land back down to dreary reality with a thud).
Ah... who wouldn't want to be thirty again? You know, just for a do-over to get it right. Correct a few mistakes. Sigh.
How so absolutely and painfully true....
I love Katy. She is inspirational beyond her lifetime.
Yes, Jim. Her voice is still in the heads of her family, that's for sure. Thank you.
Good to hear from Katy again! I'll have to read the couple of chapters I've missed.
Thanks James Ron. I may have a couple more stories about her life possibly around Christmas time, but I have most of what I wanted to say in writing now. It was a long project.
I need to read these!
If you ever get round to it, I recommend beginning with "Katy in Butte 1936", and "Singing the Cows Home." Thanks for giving it a try.
I already love Katy- her spunk and her drive!
Thank you Janice. She was not an angel - who is? But she aged well...right up to her 97th year;
Amazing woman. Amazing daughter because of that. ))
You are too sweet, Kate! Thank you.
An amazing woman. I wonder if her friend Wilma is the same woman I met a million years later.
Yes! The same Wilma. She must have visited Katy in Porter Gulch for a few days in the 1980s. They were both in their 60s.
So beautiful, Sharron. The Katy Memoir is such a gorgeous collection of wonderful stories, and I'm so grateful to you for reminding me of an absolutely beautiful series of posts. Thank you. ☺️
"...Katy rose above her history. She decided that her past did not have to determine her future."
Your mother truly was a pillar of strength and a symbol for all that is good in this world. Thanks for this, Sharron.