Mother’s Day has never been a big event at our house. But as it came and went two weeks ago, I remembered that last year I gave my mother a little Mother’s Day book. At the time, I suspected it would be one of my last Mother’s Day gifts to her. I was right.
My mother has been gone for seven months and it has taken me this long to be able to share with all of you what I said at her graveside. This is in Margaret Federlin’s honor– as well as for all of you who nurture children and grandchildren. Your gifts of time, inspiration, and encouragement are priceless.
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| Lori, Lydia, and Lisa Baldwin with their Grandma Federlin circa 2012 |
looked at more recent ones of my children, and also ones of her and my father
in their earlier years. I found an half-empty album that had an envelope stashed
in the back full of pictures that my
father had taken of her paintings. We decided to fill up the rest of the pages
with these pictures. As we did, it struck me how much she painted (even
until the week before she died she was still talking about the paintings that
she was thinking about and planning), how many pictures she had given away, and
how much people enjoyed her artwork.
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| Margaret’s wall of bird pictures circa 2010 |
inherited her artistic talents. She said no, she was confident that each of us
was following our own interests and passions.
“I have thought often that one of my
mother’s gifts to me was her saying to me when I was about 10 or 12, ‘You
have a way with words.’ Her belief in me has continued unabated into my adult
years even as I told her about my struggles writing my first novel. In some
ways, she has been my biggest fan. I will miss her being in my corner, rooting
for me and encouraging me to persevere. But I have her words, her voice, and
her belief that I can do ‘whatever I set my mind to’ inside of me now, and I
will never lose that.
“I was privileged to have had both my parents live nearby for the last
years of their lives. I think it was
Charlotte’s warmer climate—compared to upstate, NY or Milwaukee that drew them
here—but my life has been richer as a result. But for Tom and Barbara, I want
to tell you that I can’t tell you how many times she said to me, ‘I am blessed
to have three wonderful kids.’
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| With my sister, Barbara and brother, Tom June, 2014 |
think I’d live to be so old, have so many friends, be so happy and be
satisfied.’ She said she wanted to be
remembered as a ‘someone who loved her family, her children, and her life.’
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| Margaret with Lindsey Kasten and Leslie Clark along with her first two great-grandchildren: Caitlin and Ebby Circa 2010 |
“Every inch of wall space in her room at the Stewart Health Center was
covered with her paintings.
members and friends will treasure them for years to come.
 |
| Raggedy Ann Given to Lisa Baldwin, 1988 |
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| Given to Caitlin Kasten 2013 |
“Her artwork is most
certainly part of her legacy to us. But as her children, we also can treasure
her other gift to us: a simple belief that we were important, special, and very
much a part of the reason she was thankful to ‘get out of bed’ each day.”
wow! That is a terrific tribute. I am glad to be reminded of those words you shared that day. I am honored to have one of her paintings. Love that Raggedy Ann.
Wow, Carol, what a tribute to a wonderful lady. I am blessed to have known her and shared numerous wonderful times with her and you. May your memories of her rest in your heart like precious jewels.
What a wonderful tribute to your dear mother, Carol. Thank you for sharing her words and beautiful artwork.
Thanks Joyce, Linda, and Lisa. Yes, that Raggedy Ann was one of my favorites too. Precious jewels–such a good analogy, Linda!
Carol, thank you for sharing what is in your heart for your Mother. She definitely was a very talented artist. I am sure she is still rooting for you. What wonderful memories for you and your family!
Thanks, Kathy. That is so sweet of you! Working on this blog made me miss her more….I'm sure you understand!
Carol, these are treasured memories that will always be precious to you. Not only the memories, but the treasure of the paintings your mother did over the years. Thank you for sharing. Your mother's gift to you of encouragement with your writing and words is special.Gail Hurlburt
Carol, these are treasured memories that will always be precious to you. Not only the memories, but the treasure of the paintings your mother did over the years. Thank you for sharing. Your mother's gift to you of encouragement with your writing and words is special.Gail Hurlburt
Carol,What a wonderful way to pay tribute to your mom. What a wonderful lady! So glad you have so many precious memories. Sad for your loss too.
Thanks Linda and Gail. We know how important our mothers were to us, right?!
Carol, thanks for sharing. Your words about you mother touched my heart and made me realize I need to cherish each moment I still have with my ninety-year-old mom. How nice you have her beautiful art work and her loving words to cherish.
Thanks, Sheri. YEs. Treasure every moment!
Thank you for sharing some of your mother's beautiful gifts with us!
Thanks, Nancy, for stopping by and enjoying my mother's gifts to her family!
Thanks for sharing this beautiful and moving tribute to your mom. She sounds like she was an amazing woman.I'm sure her words will continue to inspire you in your writing path. She has left so many wonderful gifts behind!
Thanks, Miriam. Our parents are treasures!!
Thank you for sharing this with us Carol. Your mother sounds like a wonderful person, who created some beautiful art. Continue to follow your goal to publish your book, like your mother wanted you to! All the best luck to you. :)
wow! That is a terrific tribute. I am glad to be reminded of those words you shared that day. I am honored to have one of her paintings. Love that Raggedy Ann.
Wow, Carol, what a tribute to a wonderful lady. I am blessed to have known her and shared numerous wonderful times with her and you. May your memories of her rest in your heart like precious jewels.
What a wonderful tribute to your dear mother, Carol. Thank you for sharing her words and beautiful artwork.
Thanks Joyce, Linda, and Lisa. Yes, that Raggedy Ann was one of my favorites too. Precious jewels–such a good analogy, Linda!
Carol, thank you for sharing what is in your heart for your Mother. She definitely was a very talented artist. I am sure she is still rooting for you. What wonderful memories for you and your family!
Thanks, Kathy. That is so sweet of you! Working on this blog made me miss her more….I'm sure you understand!
Carol, these are treasured memories that will always be precious to you. Not only the memories, but the treasure of the paintings your mother did over the years. Thank you for sharing. Your mother's gift to you of encouragement with your writing and words is special.Gail Hurlburt
Carol, these are treasured memories that will always be precious to you. Not only the memories, but the treasure of the paintings your mother did over the years. Thank you for sharing. Your mother's gift to you of encouragement with your writing and words is special.Gail Hurlburt
Carol,What a wonderful way to pay tribute to your mom. What a wonderful lady! So glad you have so many precious memories. Sad for your loss too.
Thanks Linda and Gail. We know how important our mothers were to us, right?!
Carol, thanks for sharing. Your words about you mother touched my heart and made me realize I need to cherish each moment I still have with my ninety-year-old mom. How nice you have her beautiful art work and her loving words to cherish.
Thanks, Sheri. YEs. Treasure every moment!
Thank you for sharing some of your mother's beautiful gifts with us!
Thanks, Nancy, for stopping by and enjoying my mother's gifts to her family!
Thanks for sharing this beautiful and moving tribute to your mom. She sounds like she was an amazing woman.I'm sure her words will continue to inspire you in your writing path. She has left so many wonderful gifts behind!
Thanks, Miriam. Our parents are treasures!!
Thank you for sharing this with us Carol. Your mother sounds like a wonderful person, who created some beautiful art. Continue to follow your goal to publish your book, like your mother wanted you to! All the best luck to you. :)