Professor Sharon

Yesterday I had a great phone conversation with my mom.   She is 81 years old and has had a long and too often tough life.  She’s one of 12 children, being only 1 of 3 left alive.  She left school in elementary school to help her mother raise the other children.

I had mentioned that I was going on this long trip to her previously, but as is her way, she didn’t really take it in the first time.  She asked me about the trip and where I was going.  I often say that my Mom is incredibly street-smart, but she is not at all world experienced.     She commented on how long 4 months is; and hoped that all would be well and go well.   I know that in her way she was thinking about her hope that the trip was safe and that she remained well until I returned.  A couple of summers ago I went across country on the train with her — you learn a lot about your mom spending 4 days in a compartment together!

While I heard her concern, I realized after the phone conversation; that I had also heard her pride in me.  My mother often finds a way to say in our conversation:  “well, you always were the smart one.”  (I am one of five children, and at last count some 40 plus cousins, and she means all of them.)   After a weekend spent with my daughter – once my baby girl -  and granddaughter – her baby girl , I was touched and delighted to think that at 53 my mother still thinks I’m her smart baby!