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Sunday, May 9, 2010

A Picture of My Mom


Curly haired, she stands up straight. Compassionate and overly empathetic. She stops her car on the side of the highway to get out and move a turtle off of the road. A perfectionist who can analyze and organize a room for peak efficiency in 2 seconds flat. A stylish, hip grandma with a knack for cooking, baking, decorating, and gardening. Poetic and creative. Deep and intense. A nonconformer hippie chick. A survivor of open heart surgery. A survivor of a tense childhood. A gifted writer and singer. She dances to loud music when cleaning the house. She married young and had two premature babies. She analyzes her dreams. I remember how she would smooth my hair without thinking while I sat on her lap as a child. A worrier who was often right to worry. A good sister. A loving wife. She listens to children. She cares enough to say hard things. She cares enough to say kind things. She cares enough to be silent sometimes. Honest and open. She apologizes for things that aren't her fault. A caregiver to the old and weak. A hard worker no matter what the job. She doesn't see herself as strong or beautiful.

But we do.



Tell me about your mom, as a real person, not so much as a mom. What makes her, her?

9 comments:

  1. That's are girl. She worries about the world and wants to make it better for everyone. She does it by being herself. Gotta love her.

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  2. Here are some comments that friends made on Facebook--didn't want to lose them:

    Corie Smith-- Well said TJ, your mom is a wonderful person and we love her very much!
    18 hours ago ·

    Rachel Donnelly-- That is so beautiful TJ, and so true. Happy Mother's Day Nancy! You are an extraordinary mother!
    14 hours ago ·

    Heather Woodard Roberts-- That was beautiful. I hope Nixon and Flannery will think of us as fondly. Happy Mother's Day to you!
    13 hours ago ·

    Paul Turner-- I met your mother a couple of times, and she is such a lovely person. I think I remember her working for UPS or was it Federal Express.
    13 hours ago ·

    Stephanie Taylor-- You not only make a wonderfull mother you are a very special sister-in-law. Happy Mother's Day Nancy. And to you TJ very well said.
    12 hours ago ·

    TJ Ragan --Thanks, y'all! And Paul, it was UPS. Those were the days, busy days, but fun!

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  3. Wow TJ, you really know how to make a mom cry...but those choke you up good kind of tears. And thank you all for those very kind words. You know, I always felt blessed to have our girls, lucky in fact to have them. It was easy to be their mom! Smart, interesting, eager, thoughtful, polite (thanks to their dad) generous,fun, and they had the nicest friends! Thanks again everyone, and especially you TJ. I am here alone, yet this blog made this my favorite or most special mother's day ever! Good night all you dear ones! Miss you so!

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  4. Gosh, it all starts making sense....no wonder she raised a daughter like you! Love you, Miss Nancy!

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  5. She is like most of the Watson women. Very dear, kind, caring and a beautiful person inside and out. I love her like a sister.I wish I could be neat and organized like her. I guess I didn't get that from the Watson side! Anyway, I love her dearly.

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  6. She is all those things to her friends also, always there for me and I love being her friend and learning so much from her, love you nancy, your friend Brenda

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  7. Ahhh she is all that and the very best of sisters. She's always there for everyone. Big big heart, thoughtful, loving. We used to call her "Clarissa the Hip Chick" back in the good old days of peace and love. She still is. Beautiful thoughts on your mom TJ. Thanks for sharing it with all of us. Love to you all, Janet

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  8. Again, thank you all so much for your kind words. This has been like a Christmas for the emotions, for the heart, for the soul, for me. I have been going through so much with all this moving from town to town, and I get lonely here by myself, but you all have given me such a boost to my spirit. Truly it will carry me through, though to what I do not know! Change is good! On with the adventure!

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