A Story of a Great Lady, “My Mother”
Posted: Wednesday, August 29, 2007
by David Tanguay
This is a story of my ma; she was born on March 3, 1911. She came from a big family of Canadian French descent. Her father died a young man from an accident at the mill where he worked. She was only 3 years old at the time.
Older brothers and sisters and other family helped her mother get through difficult times. She spent a lot of time with nuns at a convent where she learned to play the piano.
She began dating my father at the age of sixteen. I remember her recalling her and my father sitting on the porch swing for hours without my father saying a word. He was a quiet man and she knew what she was getting into when she married him. She could see through his composure a deep underlying love within.
My mother photo taken roughly (1928-29)
They were married on August 18, 1930 in a Roman Catholic Church
They spent their honeymoon in Old Orchard Beach Maine. I mentioned this in a previous article how they made bologna sandwiches and shared a pint of blueberries on their wedding night in their hotel room.
My father always worked although they were married during the great depression my father always managed to find work doing something.
With a full house of kids all, the time coming and going this alone was a job and a half for her. Between changing diapers, (in those days we all wore cloth diapers which meant washing them out by hand not tossing them out in the trash) cooking meals and keeping us all in line. Making sure we didn’t miss mass on Sunday, religion was one of my parent’s strictest rules.
I remember my mother on her hands and knees washing the kitchen floor. Women in today’s world just don’t do that anymore. Of course, our meals were all home made with love as the main and special ingredient carefully prepared in every meal, we all grew strong and healthy. Through all the hard work, my mother done everyday we seldom saw her frown she always had a smile on her face and an enthusiasm about her that really made her glow.
There were disappointments in our family we lost a brother and sister to illness and one sister was stillborn. However, my mother’s strong faith in God carried her and the rest of the family through.
My father died four years after they celebrated their 50th. Wedding Anniversary.
We often take mothers for granted believing they will always be there when we need them. We seldom take the time to think about all the hard times we put them through. When my mother grew old and began feeling aches and pains, one morning she had a doctor’s appointment. She got up and washed by herself then she got dressed and lay down in her bed knowing she had plenty of time before her doctor’s appointment. I came into her room and asked her if she wanted any breakfast before leaving. She said,
“No I’m tired” (her last words) then she closed her eyes and very peacefully, the Lord welcomed her into his home. “Thank you for everything ma”excellent david. parents are our foundation, our backbone, they are so important to who we are today, good or bad. thanks for a touching article, best regards, sue thomPlease log in to respond to this comment.Yes Susan, we are born depending on our parents for survival. What we learn from them as we grow becomes, like you say, the foundation on which we stand. "thank you for commenting"Please log in to respond to this comment.
Gosh David, another amazing story, what a wonderful peaceful exit for her. If only it could be like that for us all. Meanwhile, I have washed my kitchen floor on my hands and knees many a time BUT it's only a small floor! You tell your story very well. Have you considered an autobiography?Please log in to respond to this comment.Thank you for commenting CB, as far as writing an autobiography no I haven't considered it. I don't really believe people would be interested in my life story. Perhaps when I'm about ready to die I'll re-consider it. There may be a few episodes I've undergone in my lifetime others could benefit from hearing about.Please log in to respond to this comment.
Perhaps if you focused on one particular interesting period/event then. Many a 'true story' sells well.Please log in to respond to this comment.
Great article Dave--no more needs to be said....thanks...
StevePlease log in to respond to this comment.
HI David, this is a wonderful memory article from you. Your mom was so special and she gave you and your siblings unconditional love as a mom should. Compared to now, I hardly can say the great difference but I trust all mothers DO love their children and families basically. You are a wonderful son too !Please log in to respond to this comment.Thank you HildaPlease log in to respond to this comment.
