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It’s been kind of a raucous day on the blog, what with all the craziness in Springfield, so let’s change gears a bit this afternoon.
I wrote about a fond memory of my mom the other day. Now, it’s your turn. Since this is a state politics site, I’m wondering how your moms influenced your political beliefs, practices, etc. Or, you can just say something nice.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, May 9, 08 @ 1:32 pm
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My mother joined the Women’s Army Corps as soon as it was possible after Pearl Harbor. She served proudly rising to the rank of Captain. She instilled in us from birth a commitment to duty, honor, country and a firm belief in the ideal of public service. When she died a decade ago she asked that ‘Captain’ United States Army be put on her gravestone. When the opportunity to serve came to me she was the person who convinced me to accept the job.
Comment by walter sobchak Friday, May 9, 08 @ 2:06 pm
My mother taught me to be good to others. She was a nurse so by nature she cared for all. She taught my many siblings and I how precious life is. To this day we are all pro-life, faith filled adults and much of that is due to Mom. She showed us how to stand up for what you know is right even when many times it is easier to go with the crowd. She died a decade ago but we know she watches over us. Luckily my wife makes it so my kids have an awesome Mom too.
Comment by Bi-Partisan Friday, May 9, 08 @ 2:17 pm
Back in the 1970’s, my mother, then a senior citizen herself, remarked that sometimes when she reached the voting machine she found people running in mass for minor offices. She often did not know any of the candidates for county boards, sewer commissioners, judges, or other minor offices. She decided to resolve the problem with a vote for a woman, any woman, absent some sort of information that would shift her vote to another. In explaining this policy, she simply remarked, “I figure they can’t be any worse than the men and I might as well give them a chance.”
Comment by MEG Friday, May 9, 08 @ 2:18 pm
She listens.
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, May 9, 08 @ 2:48 pm
I truly had the kindest, gentlest most wonderful person in the world for a mother and I lost her while in college. I recall vividly how she cried when Bobby Kennedy died. She had a big heart for everyone and everything and a soft spot for those suffering and for animals. Everyone should be half as good as she was. May she rest in peace.
Comment by Loving Daughter Friday, May 9, 08 @ 3:01 pm
My mother taught me that I was blessed to be the beneficiary of generations of hard work and good luck and that I am in no way entitled to my privileged position in the world. She taught me that my family is mankind and that I have an undying duty to use my undeserved gifts to help our family. She took Jesus’ teachings seriously and demanded that we do likewise.
And she taught me to read, from which nearly everything else flows.
I have very few heroes — she’s one of them.
– SCAM
so-called “Austin Mayor”
http://austinmayor.blogspot.com
Comment by so-called "Austin Mayor" Friday, May 9, 08 @ 3:04 pm
My mother was the glue of the family. She heald it together. She made many sacrafices for my brothers and I, she loved my father dearly and took care of him during a terminal illness, never complaining. She taught me to not to get to stuck on the R’s and D’s, that if there is someone you believe in, you should vote for them regardless of their party, race, sex etc.
She is incredible.
Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Friday, May 9, 08 @ 3:48 pm
She taught my siblings and me to be good, respectful young people. Since dad held public office, this meant we had to be extra good, and we were. It also meant mom had to be there a little bit more, because dad might be working, which, for a politician, is all the time. Great mom.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, May 9, 08 @ 3:49 pm
The tremendous hardships my mother faced, including poverty and severe illness, taught me much, including a reverential appreciation for handicapped parking spaces.
She was confined to a wheelchair and legally blind. When I was still a little kid, maybe 9 or 10, I found a “Talking Books” application at the public library and somehow figured out how to complete it. I’ll never forget her joy when a package arrived with novels and biographies on LP vinyl, and an ancient record player (the kind set in a hard-sided case, covered in burlap, and with a huge plastic arm on it that brought renewed life to my dinged-up Beatles albums. The thing probably weighed two pounds and so glided right over the scratches).
We could not believe our good fortune. We could not believe it was free. It opened up whole new possibilities for her. And gave us a wonderful way to be together, listening to good books.
That, as much as anything, has made me lean left. These programs are not luxuries. Culture is not a luxury. It often spells the difference between bloom and blight. Miss you ma.
Comment by Way South of the Border Friday, May 9, 08 @ 4:51 pm
My mom grew up in the Great Depression in what we would describe today as Third World poverty. She told me that she never considered herself poor, because they and their neighbors would always share what little they had, they had the bonds of friendship, and appreciated any nice thing they had or that came their way. Her unaffected, kind nature was a perfect counterbalance to my dad’s educated narcissism.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Friday, May 9, 08 @ 5:23 pm
My mom taught me (and still teaches me) never give up, work hard, and stand by your word. She and my dad were together for 58 years. They could have terrific verbal fights, but they always came to a solution they could both live with. There was nothing they could not face together. It was important to her that we see North America and we camped all over the country. She has friends going back to high school. When times got tough she could stretch a meal for 6 people to any level needed. She can be very bull headed about things that are important to her yet charitable at a moments notice. Her BS radar has never dimmed. I think those genes have passed on to our kids.
Comment by zatoichi Friday, May 9, 08 @ 5:43 pm
My mom, gone since 1985, way too young, was a rabid Scot from Glasgow. She hated the English and the Germans, having been through the blitz of the Govan shipyards. Her hero was William Wallace and she had his battling personality. She never let anyone walk over her and stood up for right, even against a tide of dissent. She was only 4′11″ but fought for her beliefs like she was Muhammad Ali. Those instincts have come down to me and I’ve spoken my mind,long before the women’s movement and still do.
Comment by Disgusted Saturday, May 10, 08 @ 8:30 pm