Comments on: That’s My Mom http://cindyplatt.com/education/that%e2%80%99s-my-mom/ Start Early, Finish Strong Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:48:20 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Corinne Rodrigues http://cindyplatt.com/education/that%e2%80%99s-my-mom/comment-page-1/#comment-130 Corinne Rodrigues Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:14:27 +0000 http://cindyplatt.com/?p=70#comment-130 Cindy - I'm amazed at how beautifully you write - and how deeply you touch the heart. I'm blogrolling Sean and you.... Corinne Cindy – I’m amazed at how beautifully you write – and how deeply you touch the heart. I’m blogrolling Sean and you….
Corinne

]]> By: admin http://cindyplatt.com/education/that%e2%80%99s-my-mom/comment-page-1/#comment-127 admin Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:25:17 +0000 http://cindyplatt.com/?p=70#comment-127 Susan: "Being a mom is the next best thing to having a mom." Nicely said. I feel like I am living and understanding that notion. I think when we had to start so early mothering others like our siblings we never had the chance to think about ourselves because intuitively we knew the key to survival was to keep moving forward. Children are amazingly resilient because until someone shows you what failure feels like you are oblivious. (Thank goodness) It was 1969 and my father was in the military. We moved to a rural town in Kentucky (population 100 something) on a farm with his parents. We did not have indoor plumbing, I fed a coal burning stove, and everyone called me "little brown girl." My brother was an infant and I had to take care of him while my grandma milked the cows twice a day and my grandpa was a tobacco farmer/alcoholic. My grandma found me cooking my own oatmeal on the stove at the age of 3. I learned fast how to take initiative to survive and turn lemons into lemonade. I am grateful for my grandma because she showed me what a strong work ethic looks like and even though I didn't understand everything that was happening, she never failed to give me her personal best. Left to my own devices and on a constant search for others to model the way, I feel fortunate to have 2 beautiful children for a "redo." I know that overindulgence does not cure the past and that every day is the best day of their life because Sean and I take the time to make sure they know how much they are loved and respected through every form of communication possible. Sean tells me the tipping point of sadness from the beginning of my life will occur. I feel the emotional investment and compound interest of time creating a strong, balanced and loving family starting to create that shift. There are the white knuckling moments on daily car rides to school when Mia will ask me to tell stories about my childhood. I find myself putting a positive spin on the tragedy when I run out of pleasant stories to share and Sean says "That's the stuff that makes a good book, so channel your sadness into fiction Mama." I have taught and mentored quite a few children who do not have parents and the instant connection always slays me to my knees as I grab their hand and make myself worth knowing. I am so touched by your words Susan. Your story made me feel less lonely and admire you more if that is possible, as you have always been a household name and influential voice that we strive to emulate. Thank you for connecting and sharing an intimate and life changing moment of your life. Peace. Susan: “Being a mom is the next best thing to having a mom.” Nicely said. I feel like I am living and understanding that notion. I think when we had to start so early mothering others like our siblings we never had the chance to think about ourselves because intuitively we knew the key to survival was to keep moving forward. Children are amazingly resilient because until someone shows you what failure feels like you are oblivious. (Thank goodness) It was 1969 and my father was in the military. We moved to a rural town in Kentucky (population 100 something) on a farm with his parents. We did not have indoor plumbing, I fed a coal burning stove, and everyone called me “little brown girl.” My brother was an infant and I had to take care of him while my grandma milked the cows twice a day and my grandpa was a tobacco farmer/alcoholic. My grandma found me cooking my own oatmeal on the stove at the age of 3. I learned fast how to take initiative to survive and turn lemons into lemonade. I am grateful for my grandma because she showed me what a strong work ethic looks like and even though I didn’t understand everything that was happening, she never failed to give me her personal best. Left to my own devices and on a constant search for others to model the way, I feel fortunate to have 2 beautiful children for a “redo.” I know that overindulgence does not cure the past and that every day is the best day of their life because Sean and I take the time to make sure they know how much they are loved and respected through every form of communication possible. Sean tells me the tipping point of sadness from the beginning of my life will occur. I feel the emotional investment and compound interest of time creating a strong, balanced and loving family starting to create that shift. There are the white knuckling moments on daily car rides to school when Mia will ask me to tell stories about my childhood. I find myself putting a positive spin on the tragedy when I run out of pleasant stories to share and Sean says “That’s the stuff that makes a good book, so channel your sadness into fiction Mama.” I have taught and mentored quite a few children who do not have parents and the instant connection always slays me to my knees as I grab their hand and make myself worth knowing. I am so touched by your words Susan. Your story made me feel less lonely and admire you more if that is possible, as you have always been a household name and influential voice that we strive to emulate. Thank you for connecting and sharing an intimate and life changing moment of your life. Peace.

]]> By: Susan Greene http://cindyplatt.com/education/that%e2%80%99s-my-mom/comment-page-1/#comment-114 Susan Greene Thu, 21 Jan 2010 23:38:18 +0000 http://cindyplatt.com/?p=70#comment-114 "When you grow up without a mother, each day deepens the realization that you must walk through life alone, slightly different than every one else. Such a huge loss leaves you searching for mentors; you spend your life looking for others to show you the way so that you can do things right." Cindy, I just reread your post for the third time. And I am choked up, also for the third time. The paragraph pasted above literally brings tears to my eyes. It is so true. I too, am a motherless daughter. I lost my mom when I was 5 and my brother was 2. From that day forward, everything in our lives drastically changed. Big things and little things. Within a week of her death, my father cut off my long hair into an ugly boyish pixie because he didn't know how to brush a girl's hair. I was pulled out of ballet class, something I really loved, because my dad didn't have time to shuttle me to the dance studio. My school was changed for one that was within walking distance so I could get to and from kindergarten on my own. Within a couple months, my brother and I were shipped from our New York home down to elderly grandparents in Florida because my father had to return to work and couldn't find long-term babysitters. Daycares didn't yet exist. Now we were motherless and fatherless. I could go on, but you get the picture. As you can see, your post brought a lot of feelings and memories to the surface. Like you, I too am the mother of a daughter and also a son. My biggest fear when each was born was that I wouldn't know how to be a good mother, having had no example to follow. Thank goodness for helpful friends, parenting books, and a patient and supportive husband. Now, seeing my children grow up and become the smart, good, loving, funny, happy people I hoped they would be, much of my childhood sadness has dissipated. Being a mom is the next best thing to having a mom. Thank you for putting your experiences into words. You write so well. Your post will stay in my thoughts for a very long time. “When you grow up without a mother, each day deepens the realization that you must walk through life alone, slightly different than every one else. Such a huge loss leaves you searching for mentors; you spend your life looking for others to show you the way so that you can do things right.”

Cindy, I just reread your post for the third time. And I am choked up, also for the third time. The paragraph pasted above literally brings tears to my eyes. It is so true. I too, am a motherless daughter. I lost my mom when I was 5 and my brother was 2.

From that day forward, everything in our lives drastically changed. Big things and little things. Within a week of her death, my father cut off my long hair into an ugly boyish pixie because he didn’t know how to brush a girl’s hair. I was pulled out of ballet class, something I really loved, because my dad didn’t have time to shuttle me to the dance studio. My school was changed for one that was within walking distance so I could get to and from kindergarten on my own.

Within a couple months, my brother and I were shipped from our New York home down to elderly grandparents in Florida because my father had to return to work and couldn’t find long-term babysitters. Daycares didn’t yet exist. Now we were motherless and fatherless.

I could go on, but you get the picture. As you can see, your post brought a lot of feelings and memories to the surface.

Like you, I too am the mother of a daughter and also a son. My biggest fear when each was born was that I wouldn’t know how to be a good mother, having had no example to follow. Thank goodness for helpful friends, parenting books, and a patient and supportive husband. Now, seeing my children grow up and become the smart, good, loving, funny, happy people I hoped they would be, much of my childhood sadness has dissipated. Being a mom is the next best thing to having a mom.

Thank you for putting your experiences into words. You write so well. Your post will stay in my thoughts for a very long time.

]]> By: admin http://cindyplatt.com/education/that%e2%80%99s-my-mom/comment-page-1/#comment-108 admin Fri, 15 Jan 2010 05:29:46 +0000 http://cindyplatt.com/?p=70#comment-108 Sean: You are the gifty with the words my love. You make me a better writer. We are so lucky to be able to skip rope together and begin and finish each other's sentences. You are my angel on earth. Happy Birthday Mia indeed. You have ROCKED our world baby girl. Janice: So good to hear from you. "every memory you paint of her adds an extra brush stoke to her portrait." That is so touching and poetic. Thank you for stopping by and gifting us with your amazing way with words. I love it! Sean: You are the gifty with the words my love. You make me a better writer. We are so lucky to be able to skip rope together and begin and finish each other’s sentences. You are my angel on earth. Happy Birthday Mia indeed. You have ROCKED our world baby girl.

Janice: So good to hear from you. “every memory you paint of her adds an extra brush stoke to her portrait.” That is so touching and poetic. Thank you for stopping by and gifting us with your amazing way with words. I love it!

]]> By: janice http://cindyplatt.com/education/that%e2%80%99s-my-mom/comment-page-1/#comment-107 janice Thu, 14 Jan 2010 19:50:45 +0000 http://cindyplatt.com/?p=70#comment-107 This was beautiful. Your mum's not just alive in you and Mia and Max; you've kept her soul alive in your writing and every memory you paint of her adds an extra brush stroke to her portrait. I love that I know about her favourite music and the colour of her rollers. Wherever she is, she's smiling through tears of pride at the blossoming gift she gave to the world. Wish Mia a happy birthday from us. This was beautiful. Your mum’s not just alive in you and Mia and Max; you’ve kept her soul alive in your writing and every memory you paint of her adds an extra brush stroke to her portrait. I love that I know about her favourite music and the colour of her rollers. Wherever she is, she’s smiling through tears of pride at the blossoming gift she gave to the world. Wish Mia a happy birthday from us.

]]> By: Sean Platt http://cindyplatt.com/education/that%e2%80%99s-my-mom/comment-page-1/#comment-106 Sean Platt Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:25:59 +0000 http://cindyplatt.com/?p=70#comment-106 You are a brilliant, beautiful writer. Thank you for putting pen to page on our daughter's birthday. And happy labor day to you. You inspire me like no one else ever has. I am forever in your debt. I love you always. Me. You are a brilliant, beautiful writer. Thank you for putting pen to page on our daughter’s birthday. And happy labor day to you. You inspire me like no one else ever has. I am forever in your debt.

I love you always.

Me.

]]> By: admin http://cindyplatt.com/education/that%e2%80%99s-my-mom/comment-page-1/#comment-105 admin Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:02:32 +0000 http://cindyplatt.com/?p=70#comment-105 Ben: Thank you for reading and connecting with my story. Hold hands tightly with your wife and all will be well. We have a chance to give our children what we did not have... the unconditional love and presence of a parent. David: Your thoughts and encouragement means so much to me. Here's a virtual tissue. P.S. my volcano simile "Like a smudge from the planet" is Sean's touch, my simile did not make the cut. Life is better with the the right words and the right people. Thank you for being a person that I admire. Amanda: Congratulations to your mom and the endurance through cancer. Each day is a gift and you all are so fortunate to have one another for support. I am sure she is so grateful to have your hand to hold. Kim: Thank you for the compliment and reminder "that's what moms do best-we love our children. Ben: Thank you for reading and connecting with my story. Hold hands tightly with your wife and all will be well. We have a chance to give our children what we did not have… the unconditional love and presence of a parent.

David: Your thoughts and encouragement means so much to me. Here’s a virtual tissue. P.S. my volcano simile “Like a smudge from the planet” is Sean’s touch, my simile did not make the cut. Life is better with the the right words and the right people. Thank you for being a person that I admire.

Amanda: Congratulations to your mom and the endurance through cancer. Each day is a gift and you all are so fortunate to have one another for support. I am sure she is so grateful to have your hand to hold.

Kim: Thank you for the compliment and reminder “that’s what moms do best-we love our children.

]]> By: Kim, Rambling Family Manager http://cindyplatt.com/education/that%e2%80%99s-my-mom/comment-page-1/#comment-104 Kim, Rambling Family Manager Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:59:53 +0000 http://cindyplatt.com/?p=70#comment-104 Cindy, that's incredibly beautiful and moving. As I'm sure so many people would tell you, and you know in your heart, your mom is proud of you and loves you wherever she is because that's what moms do best- we love our children. Cindy, that’s incredibly beautiful and moving. As I’m sure so many people would tell you, and you know in your heart, your mom is proud of you and loves you wherever she is because that’s what moms do best- we love our children.

]]> By: amanda stewart http://cindyplatt.com/education/that%e2%80%99s-my-mom/comment-page-1/#comment-103 amanda stewart Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:30:31 +0000 http://cindyplatt.com/?p=70#comment-103 Thank you for sharing. this was a very touching heart felt post. happy birthday Mia. you both are very lucky to have each other. i'm very lucky to have my mother still even as a breast cancer survivor but i know she misses her mother each day. Thank you for sharing. this was a very touching heart felt post. happy birthday Mia. you both are very lucky to have each other. i’m very lucky to have my mother still even as a breast cancer survivor but i know she misses her mother each day.

]]> By: David Wright/ Blogger Dad http://cindyplatt.com/education/that%e2%80%99s-my-mom/comment-page-1/#comment-102 David Wright/ Blogger Dad Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:44:51 +0000 http://cindyplatt.com/?p=70#comment-102 Wow, that is an incredible tribute to both your daughter and your mother. Well said and very touching. You are an amazing person who I am so glad to have come into my life this year (along with Sean and the rest of your family). No matter how tough the roads are, they have not hardened your heart. Thank you for sharing this. Now I have to go wipe tears from my eyes. Wow, that is an incredible tribute to both your daughter and your mother. Well said and very touching. You are an amazing person who I am so glad to have come into my life this year (along with Sean and the rest of your family). No matter how tough the roads are, they have not hardened your heart.

Thank you for sharing this. Now I have to go wipe tears from my eyes.

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