Thursday, April 18, 2013

Beautiful Mama

My mother was a woman of wonder to me.  I remember watching her as a child. I would watch her cutting carrots or reading a book, and wonder what she was thinking. I would wonder if I would be like her someday, cutting carrots and reading books. She was quiet and methodical doing these tasks. Sometimes, she looked sad. I wondered what I could do to make her feel better, my wonder woman.

She could press the black and white keys of the piano and transport the room to the time of Beethoven or Chopin.

Source

I remember her head full of giant, round curlers that made her look like a warrior princess. It was a grand ceremony watching her remove them one by one and slowly reveal a head transformed.

She created miracles with pianos, with curlers and carrots. In her hands, the most mundane of endeavors were elevated to meditative mysteries to me.

I don't remember watching anyone else this way. She was a singular presence in my eyes. I wonder if Claire sees me like I saw my mother. I bet she does. It's a gift and a responsibility to have someone behold you with such reverence and expectation.

The gaze of child makes a mama beautiful. In fact, when a child says "mama", I think "beautiful" is implied in it.

A child creates a beautiful mama. When others see you as such, it's simply acknowledging the world of a child.

Thank you Sarah, Sadder but Wiser and Layana, Raising Reagan for calling me beautiful mama.

beautiful mama

These women are beautiful mamas to me,

Kristi, Finding Ninee

Kerri, Undiagnosed but Okay

Jennifer, The Jenny Evolution

Marcia, Menopausal Mother

Jen, Life on the Sonny Side

Meredith, The Mom of the Year

There are too many more mamas to mention. If you want to participate, find the rules here (I didn't follow them).


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71 comments:

  1. I love how you wrote about this award. Truly said it so perfectly here and your words are just so true!!

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    1. Thank you, Janine! I didn't follow the rules! :)

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  2. I love how you did this. :-)

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    1. Thanks, Sarah! And thank you again for the lovely award!

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  3. Oh, what beautiful words and imagery! Congratulations, Beautiful Mama!

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  4. I love this! Such a sweet post.

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  5. "In fact, when a child says "mama", I think "beautiful" is implied in it." Awww....I'm probably never going to forget that sentence.

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    1. Aw, what a lovely thing to say! Thanks, Therese!

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  6. Following you from the Thumping Thursday Blog Hop!

    That was written so beautifully. I can tell that you wrote right from your heart with this one!

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    1. Thank you! I'm glad it felt from the heart to you!

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  7. This is so beautiful, Rachel. You made me teary eyed! Love you lady XOXO

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  8. Thank you, sweet Rachel. I don't always feel beautiful. But I, too, remember watching my mom put on eye makeup and making meatballs with the same sense of wonderment. xoxo

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  9. lovely words. I hadn't thought about things from that perspective before.

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    1. Thank you! I remember these things like they were yesterday!

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  10. I love that quote a child makes a beautiful mama. I'm going to write a blog post all about that! You've inspired me! Thanks for the great post!
    Jai @ Mami's Time Out

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  11. Love the memories you have of your mother. Your wonderful sense of live is obviously a nod to her. Masterful post; Gracias. BB2U

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  12. This was really beautifully written, and made me think of watching my mom get ready on Easter while singing The Easter Parade for some reason.

    Have a great weekend.

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  13. I looked at my grandmother that way, and you're right, it was a gift...for her and for me. :)

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  14. Oh that's so lovely! I don't remember regarding my mother like that, the way you've written it is very evocative.

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  15. Thank you for the love my dear! This means so very much coming from a mother and a writer that I admire so so much! I loved the pictures that you painted of your mother in this piece. I love the idea of my son having memories like these of me one day. Thank you again, Rachel! XOXO

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    1. Aw, what a sweet thing to say! You are a beautiful mama!

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  16. Indeed for a child his own Mom is beautiful, that is why they feel hurt when others think otherwise and say so. I know I am beautiful for my kids, even in my rounded body and uncombed hair, so busy with work.

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    1. Oh, that is so beautiful. I want to read a post about this idea from you!

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  17. How can Claire not see you as anything other than beautiful, she only has to read your blog. Lovely lovely post.
    ps my heart goes out to you all in the USA after this tragic week.

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    1. Thank you for your words of support, Ann. It's just been crazy.

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  18. I'm so glad you liked the award! You are a beautiful mama! This was a lovely post! :-)

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  19. This was so beautifully written.... Thank you for sharing them. :)

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  20. A beautiful post, very special xx #PoCoLo

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  21. What a lovely post and wonderfully descriptive words about your Mum. It sounds like you saw her as most children see their Mothers - in awe. Thank you so much for linking up to PoCoLo again lovely x

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  22. Beautiful post! I'll be sure to check out those beautiful Mamas, too!
    On a related note, I've nominated you for a Liebster Award! Check it out @ http://tantrumsandteaparties.blogspot.ca/2013/04/liebster-love.html

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    1. Thank you, Justine. You are too kind! I am honored!

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  23. Such beautiful and decriptive words about your mama. It makes me wonder if my 2 obnoxious teenage sons ever see me in that light instead of that constant eye-rolling you're-the-worst-mom-in-the-world look I get from them!

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  24. I loved this post and how you made it your own!!

    Thank you for linking to Raising Imperfection.
    Please come back Friday to see if you were featured. :)

    ¤´¨)
    ¸.•*´
    (¸¤ Lanaya | xoxo
    www.raising-reagan.com

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  25. Aww, what a lovely post and memories of your mom.

    Thank you for linking up to Raising Imperfection! We appreciate you taking the time to link up, make sure to check back on Friday when we feature out favorites.
    Leslie

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  26. Rachel, this was such a beautiful compliment and gorgeous post. So poignant to me right now and it means the world. *wiping away a few tears* Thanks, my friend :)

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  27. So so beautiful. A child creates a beautiful mama indeed. My favorite line. I also love that you didn't follow the rules! Ha!
    And thank you so much for nominating me as well. I appreciate it. Congratulations.

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  28. I love that you honored your mom with your comments on this award. You are a beautiful mama, and now I see where you got it from! Hugs!

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    1. Aw, that's such a sweet thing to say, Melissa!

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  29. Thank you for joining us at our Let's Get social Sunday party ! Hope to see you again on Sunday :-)
    Linda
    With A Blast

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  30. What a lovely post and big congratulations on your award.

    Thanks for linking up!

    Sarah @ A Cat-Like Curiosity

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  31. what a really lovely post, thanks for linking up with #magicmoments x

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  32. Beautifully written, a delight to read.

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  33. Thanks for linking up, Rachel, this is such a beautiful post and a great tribute to your wonderful mom. I'm really glad you've picked this post for my hop.
    I'm looking forward to see another beautiful one, next Monday.

    Happy week.

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  35. This is such a beautiful post! I really hope my little ones see me in that same magical way.

    Thanks for linking up at The Tuesday Baby Link Up!

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  36. So so so beautiful! Love it! Thank you for sharing with the Tuesday Baby Link Up!

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  37. What a beautiful post!

    Thanks so much for sharing at the Friday Baby Shower, Alice x

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