Memories of my Mother by Elinor Peace Bailey

Memories of my Mother by Elinor Peace Bailey

My mother was a most forgiving soul. She forgave so many so much. She forgave her doctor for mistakenly cutting a mussel in surgery so she walked the remainder of her life perpendicular to the floor, the husband who divorced her, the employers who insulted her, the children who took money from her and never repaid it, the daughter-in-law who distrusted her. All these she forgave, except herself.

My mother was a devoted grandmother. She opened doors and windows. She forgave all misunderstandings. Because she lived so near to Washington D.C. she was to create and provide innumerable adventures my children have never forgotten and continue to treasure. She invested them with her love of reading, history, art, theater, and music.

My mother was childlike in her appreciation of natural beauty, theater, music, and the written word. She enchanted all with her reading out loud. She read voraciously. She graduated from Smith College, at 72 years of age, in Asian Studies.

My mother adored traveling the world She spoke Parisian French. She smiled at all who looked at her. She was always curious.

My mother loved hats when they were in fashion. I remember when she purchased a hat with an escaping butterfly, she could wait to find a local bar where she could flirt with it.

My mother struggled with many demons but I never questioned her love for me which she often expressed to me and others. I only wish she had loved herself. I often think she will be surprised when she meets the Lord and finds he was never really angry at her at all.